Suite Madame Blue
| "Suite Madame Blue" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Styx from the album Equinox | |
| Released | 1975 |
| Recorded | 1975 at Paragon Recording Studios, Chicago |
| Genre | Progressive rock, hard rock |
| Length | 6:30 |
| Label | A&M |
| Writer | Dennis DeYoung |
| Producer | Styx |
"Suite Madame Blue" is a 1975 song by Styx, the final track on their album Equinox. It was also included on the A&M compilation Styx: Greatest Hits. It is also a fan favorite and is played regularly at both Styx's concerts and lead singer Dennis DeYoung's concerts.
The name of the song is both a reference to the musical "suite" as composition and a wordplay on "sweet".
Background
The song was written in 1975, a year before the United States Bicentennial. Because of this, many people believe this song to be celebrating America. The truth, however, is that the track was a protest song, sung from the point of view of a man who clearly loves America, but knows the country is far from perfect and needs improvement. "Suite Madame Blue" is a metaphor for the United States, but many lyrics are actually metaphors for political controversies of the 1960s and 1970s, such as Watergate and the War in Vietnam. The lyric "So lift up your heart, make a new start, and lead us away from here" is an allusion to the need for change in the United States.
Similarities Between Other Songs
The chord progression for the track is similar to the guitar chord progressions of "Winter Time" by Steve Miller Band (See Book of Dreams), "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles, "10538 Overture" by Electric Light Orchestra, "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" by Led Zeppelin, and "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago.
Personnel
- John Curulewski - synthesizer, guitar, backing vocals
- Dennis DeYoung - synthesizer, keyboards, lead vocals
- Chuck Panozzo - bass guitar, backing vocals
- John Panozzo - percussion, drums, backing vocals
- James Young - guitar, backing vocals