In 1979, Styx released a song that would become both a chart-topping success and a turning point in their sound.
Their hit, “Babe,” rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the band’s only chart-topping single on the pop chart. The track’s success helped expand Styx’s audience beyond rock fans, introducing their music to a wider mainstream audience.
Written by keyboardist and singer Dennis DeYoung, “Babe” began as a personal song for his wife but quickly evolved into a full-fledged hit single. Its heartfelt lyrics and sweeping melody helped define it as a classic power ballad, blending rock instrumentation with emotional vulnerability.
The song appeared on the band’s album, Cornerstone, and its softer, more romantic tone marked a shift from the progressive rock sound that had previously defined much of Styx’s work. While the change drew mixed reactions from some fans, it ultimately proved to be a commercial breakthrough.
“The dilemma of all people who are successful in music or literature or motion pictures or anything that relies on the public’s taste—the first thing you have to do is establish an identity and develop an audience,” DeYoung said in a 2016 interview. “If you’re lucky enough to do that and have success, the next step is more difficult. You must somehow reach your audience and take them in new directions that won’t scare the pants off them. This is the dilemma all creative people face.”
At its core, “Babe” captures the longing and devotion that define many of the era’s most memorable ballads. Its universal theme of love and separation helped it resonate deeply with listeners, securing its place as one of the band’s most enduring songs.
Despite his major contributions to the band’s success, DeYoung was ultimately pushed out of Styx in 1999 following ongoing creative tensions with other members. The split marked the end of an era, with DeYoung later continuing his career as a solo artist while the band moved forward with a new lineup.
More than four decades later, “Babe” remains a staple of classic rock playlists—a career-defining hit that showcased Styx’s versatility and cemented their place in music history.
Related: 1970 Power Ballad Named No. 1 Hit Song Became a Breakup Anthem
