Love Is the Ritual

"Love Is the Ritual" is the first single released from Edge of the Century by Styx. It was written by and features the lead vocals of Glen Burtnik, who had been recruited by the band to take the place of Tommy Shaw. Shaw was at that time busy as a member of the group Damn Yankees. It was a major disappointment on the charts only peaking at #80 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles chart but fared better on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart peaking at #9.

Burtnik had recorded the track before he was offered a position with Styx in anticipation of using it for his third solo album. During recording sessions as Styx, the original track's backing vocals and drums were re-recorded.[1] Burtnik's original version was later released on his compilation album Retrospectable.

Track listing

7"

1. "Love Is the Ritual"
2. "Homewrecker"

12" picture disc

1. "Love Is the Ritual"
2. "Homewrecker"
3. "Babe"