Babe (Styx song)
| "Babe" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Styx | ||||
| from the album Cornerstone | ||||
| B-side | "I'm O.K." | |||
| Released | September 1979 | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Recorded | 1979 | |||
| Genre | Rock, soft rock, progressive rock, adult contemporary | |||
| Length |
4:01 (single version) 4:25 (album version) | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Writer(s) | Dennis DeYoung | |||
| Styx singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Babe" was the lead single from Styx's 1979 triple-platinum album Cornerstone. The song was Styx's first, and only, U.S. number-one single. It additionally held the number-one spot for six weeks on the Canadian RPM national singles chart, charting in December 1979 and becoming the opening chart-topper of the 1980s.
Background and content
The song was written by member Dennis DeYoung as a birthday present for his wife Suzanne. The finished track was recorded as a demo with just DeYoung and Styx members John Panozzo and Chuck Panozzo playing on the track, with DeYoung singing all of the harmonies himself.
The song was not originally intended to be a Styx track, but Styx members James "J.Y." Young and Tommy Shaw convinced DeYoung to put the song on Cornerstone. As a result, DeYoung's demo was placed on Cornerstone with Shaw overdubbing a guitar solo in the song's middle section. The track became a major hit, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was their only major UK hit single, reaching #6. In 1999, "Babe" was included in the soundtrack to the movie Big Daddy, starring Adam Sandler, whose character is a huge fan of Styx.
Despite the song's enormous success, it has not been performed live by the band since singer Dennis DeYoung was dismissed in 1999. DeYoung, however, still performs the song regularly on his solo tours.
Cover versions
Dutch boy band Caught in the Act covered this track to relative success. Alexander O'Neal covered the song on his 2008 album, Alex Loves. Philippine singer April Boy Regino also covered the song in his 2000 album Super Idol. This song is also covered by Piolo Pascual for the movie Babe, I Love You from Star Cinema in the Philippines.
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[1] | Gold | 75,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[2] | Silver | 250,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[3] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
| *sales figures based on certification alone | ||
| Preceded by "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer |
US Billboard Hot 100 number one single December 8–15, 1979 (2 weeks) |
Succeeded by "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes |
| Preceded by "Heartache Tonight" by Eagles |
Canadian RPM number-one single December 1, 1979 - January 6, 1980 (6 weeks) |
Succeeded by "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes |
References
- ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Styx – Babe". Music Canada.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Styx – Babe". British Phonographic Industry. Enter Babe in the field Search. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Click Go
- ↑ "American single certifications – Styx – Babe". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
