ROCK MOMENT – Styx ‘Renegade’
In 1978, Styx was riding high on the success of their album The Grand Illusion. They had mastered the blend of progressive rock, arena power, and radio-friendly hooks. But when it came time to record their next album, Pieces of Eight, guitarist Tommy Shaw had something different in mind—a tense, dramatic song that would showcase the band’s storytelling abilities.
“Renegade” began with Shaw’s vision of a man on the run, facing his final moments before capture and execution. Inspired by old Western outlaws and crime tales, Shaw wrote the lyrics from the perspective of a doomed fugitive. The haunting a cappella intro—just Shaw’s voice layered in harmonies—was a bold choice, creating an instant sense of foreboding. Then, with the crash of John Panozzo’s drums and James “J.Y.” Young’s guitar riffs, the song exploded into high energy, mirroring the adrenaline of a desperate escape.
The funny thing is, ‘Renegade’ almost slipped through the cracks because A&M Records and even some band members weren’t sure it had single potential.
When Pieces of Eight was first being promoted in late 1978, the label pushed ‘Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)‘ and ‘Sing for the Day‘ as the lead singles. ‘Renegade,’ with its unusual slow, a cappella intro and dramatic mood shift, was considered too unconventional for radio at the time. Remember, in the late ’70s, most rock singles either started strong with an instrumental hook or went right into the beat—labels worried that DJs would skip anything with a quiet 30-second opening.
Tommy Shaw, however, was passionate about the song and argued that the slow intro was exactly what made it stand out. It created suspense, then delivered a huge payoff when the band kicked in. Fans who heard it live during the Pieces of Eight tour reacted so strongly—cheering after just the first “Oh Mama…”—that the band finally convinced the label to give it a shot as a single in early 1979.
Once released, it proved the doubters wrong, climbing to #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of Styx’s most requested songs in concert. Ironically, that very “too quiet” intro is now one of the most recognizable moments in classic rock.
Over the decades, ‘Renegade’ evolved from a rock hit into a cultural touchstone. It’s been featured in films, television, and perhaps most famously, as a rallying anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who use it to energize fans during crucial game moments.
Today, more than 45 years later, ‘Renegade’ remains one of Styx’s most beloved songs—a testament to the band’s ability to combine theatrical storytelling with arena-rock power.
