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Babe (Styx song)

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"Babe"
Song
B-side"I'm O.K."

"Babe" is a song by the American rock band Styx. It was the lead single from the band'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. It was also the band's only UK Top 40 hit, peaking at #6.

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.

Personnel

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. Filipino singer April Boy Regino also covered the song in his 2000 album Super Idol. This song is also covered by Filipino singer and actor Piolo Pascual for the movie Babe, I Love You from Star Cinema in the Philippines.

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[2] Gold 75,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[3] Silver 250,000^
United States (RIAA)[4] Gold 0^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Preceded by US Billboard Hot 100 number one single
December 8–15, 1979 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Canadian RPM number-one single
December 1, 1979 - January 6, 1980 (6 weeks) 		Succeeded by

References

  1. ^ "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum. SpinMedia. May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  2. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Styx – Babe". Music Canada.
  3. ^ "British single certifications – Styx – Babe". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Babe in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  4. ^ "American single certifications – Styx – Babe". Recording Industry Association of America.
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