ROCK MOMENT – Styx ‘Babe’

‘Babe’ is one of the most recognizable ballads in Styx’s catalog, and it marked an important milestone in both the band’s history and Dennis DeYoung’s career as a songwriter. Released in September 1979 as the lead single from the album Cornerstone, the song became Styx’s first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Its origins, however, were far more personal than commercial.

Dennis DeYoung originally wrote ‘Babe’ not for Styx, but as a birthday present for his wife, Suzanne. The song was intended as a private gift, a tender love ballad recorded with the help of Styx bandmates John and Chuck Panozzo. At first, it was never meant for release. However, when the band’s record label and management heard the song, they recognized its potential as a single and insisted it be included on Cornerstone. With some additional production and guitar work added by Tommy Shaw and James “J.Y.” Young, ‘Babe’ was officially transformed from a personal ballad into a Styx track.

The song’s heartfelt lyrics and smooth, melodic delivery connected with audiences instantly. By December 1979, it had reached No. 1 in the U.S., and it also charted well internationally. Its success helped propel Cornerstone to platinum status and introduced Styx to a broader pop audience. However, the softer direction of the song also sparked internal debate within the band, with some members preferring to stick to their rock-driven sound.

Despite those tensions, ‘Babe’ remains one of Styx’s defining songs. For DeYoung, it stood as a heartfelt expression of love, and for the band, it marked their peak of mainstream success. Decades later, it still endures as a power ballad classic and a reminder of how a simple gift of love became a worldwide hit.