WCSX Classic Cuts : Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
WCSX Classic Cuts
Styx: “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)”
The Hook: Guitarist James Young gives all the credit to Tommy Shaw for making “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” a Styx classic.
Album: Pieces of Eight
Year: 1978
Writer: Tommy Shaw
Stats: Peaked at number-21 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Background: Singer-guitarist Tommy Shaw wrote all three singles on Styx’s triple platinum eighth album, 1978’s Pieces of Eight — “Renegade,” “Sing for the Day” and “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights).” Guitarist James Young credits Shaw for the success of that last song, a concert staple for the band ever since.
Styx guitarist James “JY” Young on a Tommy Shaw song from the Pieces of Eight album that he loves. OC:…it’s great [Laughs] :12
“’Blue Collar Man.’ It rocks. He sings his butt off. Plays his butt of on guitar on that thing and it’s heavy rock. Buy it, it’s great. [Laughs]”
