Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto,
Mata ah-oo hima de
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto,
Himitsu wo shiri tai

You're wondering who I am-machine or mannequin
With parts made in Japan, I am the modren man

I've got a secret I've been hiding under my skin
My heart is human, my blood is boiling, my brain I.B.M.
So if you see me acting strangely, don't be surprised
I'm just a man who needed someone, and somewhere to hide
To keep me alive-just keep me alive
Somewhere to hide to keep me alive

I'm not a robot without emotions-I'm not what you see
I've come to help you with your problems, so we can be free
I'm not a hero, I'm not a saviour, forget what you know
I'm just a man whose circumstances went beyond his control
Beyond my control-we all need control
I need control-we all need control

I am the modren man, who hides behind a mask
So no one else can see my true identity

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto, domo...domo
Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For doing the jobs that nobody wants to
And thank you very much, Mr. Roboto
For helping me escape just when I needed to
Thank you-thank you, thank you
I want to thank you, please, thank you

The problem's plain to see: too much technology
Machines to save our lives. Machines dehumanize.

The time has come at last
To throw away this mask
So everyone can see
My true identity...
I'm Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy! Kilroy!

Cold war, cold war, cold war
I'm tired of your psychology
To bring us to our bended knees
And if we could only talk to you
I'm sure that we could make you see
'Cause time has a way
Of bringing even bandmates down, down, down
Storm clouds are coming
I am bailing for some greener ground

I say I can be a big hit
Girls with Guns just can't miss
No matter what you say or do
I'm leaving 'cause of you

Ambition and What If did not
Make me a star like when in Styx
So I started up Damn Yankees and
Made fun of Babe and sold back 'Styx'
But time has a way of bringing
Even waywards back, back, back
There's a storm cloud a-comin'
And it's me working behind your back

You talk talk and you get so intense
And you always make sense
And that's what scares me the most
You as the lead of this band that I love
I'll take it Denny
And give you a nice shove, it's a

Cold war-I want to lead Styx
And when you get really sick
It's going down, don't you know
Cold war-we'll wipe you off the site
And not pay you what's right 'cause it's mine!
So get ready for a
Cold war
Don't you look now
But the skinny boy is leading a band

You say that your standards are high
And that makes Styx so bright
And that you will not let us change it
Into something that ain't gonna last
You ought to reconsider
'Cause I'm coming fast with my

Cold war-I want to lead Styx
And when you get really sick
It's going down, don't you know
Cold war-we'll wipe you off the site
And not pay you what's right 'cause it's mine!
So get ready for a cold war
Looking for me? But I'll ignore every plea
And refuse contact cause it's a
Cold war-don't you look now
But the skinny boy is leading the band



Interpretation

It all started with the release of Brave New World. Tommy Shaw and James Young wanted to release the album in the summer of 1999 and immediately tour to support the album. Dennis DeYoung was suffering from a mysterious illness that baffled doctors and left him unable to tour. He also wanted more time to finish the album. The album was released that summer over Dennis' objections, and the band went on the road with Lawrence Gowan filling in for Dennis and Glen Burtnik returning to fill in for Chuck Panozzo, who had previously decided to retire. Rumors started surfacing on the Internet, interviews and on-line chats with band members revealed conflicting and changing stories. Flame wars erupted on the various Styx e-mail lists as the fans polarized over the band's internal issues. Meanwhile, the Styx tour continued without Dennis, whose health improved enough to begin a highly-acclaimed solo tour with a 50-piece orchestra. This parody is told from Tommy's point of view. It speculates that Dennis' perfectionist control of Styx led to resentment and betrayal by Tommy. The song reflects on the history of Tommy's relationship with Styx beginning with his departure after the Kilroy Was Here.

[Tommy]
I am a headstrong man
With this guitar in hand
I'll do my best and try
To keep Styx music alive
...Keep it alive
...Keep it alive
...Keep it alive...Yeah

Don't let it end
Don't let it end
Don't let it end
Don't let it end

[Dennis]
That is a nice try Tommy, you think you're right
But Styx includes us three now or it just ain't right
But I will be a winner, gonna hit the road
With 50 pieces, gonna lose control

Don't let it end
This fits to my music
Don't let it end
I gotta perform music
Don't let it end
Just maybe,
Don't let it end
I'm better off
Don't let it end
Hey, this is fun, naaaahoooooooo!
Don't let it end...



Interpretation

It all started with the release of Brave New World. Tommy Shaw and James Young wanted to release the album in the summer of 1999 and immediately tour to support the album. Dennis DeYoung was suffering from a mysterious illness that baffled doctors and left him unable to tour. He also wanted more time to finish the album. The album was released that summer over Dennis' objections, and the band went on the road with Lawrence Gowan filling in for Dennis and Glen Burtnik returning to fill in for Chuck Panozzo, who had previously decided to retire. Rumors started surfacing on the Internet, interviews and on-line chats with band members revealed conflicting and changing stories. Flame wars erupted on the various Styx e-mail lists as the fans polarized over the band's internal issues. Meanwhile, the Styx tour continued without Dennis, whose health improved enough to begin a highly-acclaimed solo tour with a 50-piece orchestra. This parody reflects the hope of many fans that the rain cloud has a silver lining--Styx and Dennis can both succeed and bring more joy through music to the fans than could have been possible otherwise.

I flip the switch on my laser video
And there's the man staring back at me
He starts to speak in a voice so righteous
About the sins of society

He's got answers to all my problems
Says he'll decide what I should hear and see
I try to change to another station
But all I get is more of his morality
And morality, yeah

But I see the kids of a new generation
And they won't stand for this mind control
They're gonna change this world we live in
They're gonna bring back the rock and roll

So if I can, I'm gonna break from this prison
Gonna get out and join in the fight
Take a chance on what I believe in
Win or lose, I know it's right

'Cause it's high time
For us to start a revolution
High time
Just like an A-bomb explosion
High time
It ain't the music that's in question
High time
It's more the freedom of expression

Change is comin'
Mind Police are comin'
We're on the move
The Old World is crumblin'
A new day's comin'
Tell your friends and relations
We're on the move
We're gonna start a rockin' nation

High time
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
High time
We're gonna start a revolution
High time
[scatting]Everybody lay back now I tell you why...
[Roboto]
"I've been instructed to inform you that your privileges have been penalized.
Your avoidance tactics have proven disappointing."
[Kilroy]
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha
Up yours, Roboto!"
[Roboto]
"No deviance, Kilroy!"

High time
For us to start a revolution
High time
Just like an A-bomb explosion
High time
It ain't the music that's in question
High time
It's more the freedom of expression

Change is comin'
Mind Police are comin'
We're on the move
The Old World is crumblin'
A new day's comin'
Tell your friends and relations
We're on the move
We're gonna start a rockin' nation

B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-band on the move, yeah
High time
Yeah
High time
B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-band on the move
High time

"What will this thing cost, man? Look at the costs!"
"Hundreds and hundreds!"

MurolceS odrO suvoN sitpeoC tiunnA

What the devil's goin' on
Why don't your turn that music down
You're going deaf and that's for sure
But all you do is scream for more

Get the lead out go for broke
Pop your pills and drink and smoke
Shoot those chemicals into your vein
Anything to ease the pain

Heavy metal (heavy metal) poisoning (it's a poison)
A toxic wasteland (got a toxic wasteland) in your ear canal (in your ear canal!)
Overloaded (I'm overloaded), suffering (yeah!)
Overloaded (overloaded) on sex and drugs

Everything is black and white
You are wrong and we are right
First we'll spank your big behinds
Then we'll twist your little minds

I'm Dr. Righteous (I'm Dr. Righteous), and I'm here to sing (yeah!)
That heavy metal (heavy metal) is poisoning
It's a music wasteland, that destroys the young (yeah!)
They're overloaded (overloaded) on sex and drugs, sex and drugs, sex and drugs
And rock and roll!

Sterces eht sdloh nataS

I'm Dr. Righteous (I'm Dr. Righteous), and I'm here to sing (yeah!)
That heavy metal (heavy metal) is poisoning
It's a music wasteland, that destroys the young (yeah!)
They're overloaded (overloaded) on sex and drugs, sex and drugs, sex and drugs
And rock and roll!

Heavy metal (heavy metal) poisoning (it's a poison)
A toxic wasteland (got a toxic wasteland) in your love canal love canal!)
Overloaded (I'm overloaded), suffering (yeah!)
Overloaded (overloaded) on sex and drugs, sex and drugs, sex and drugs
Sex and drugs, sex and drugs, sex and drugs, sex and drugs, sex and drugs
"Righteous! Righteous!..."
"Shut up!"
"...Righteous! Righteous! Righteous! Righteous! Righteous! Yeah!"
"Shut up! Shut up!"

"Help me Fans.... We'll make history tonight"
"I hear you fellow listees...Meet me at the voting booth"

This could be the longest night in recorded history
And as for sleep, you might as well just cross it off the list of
Possibilities
(Now) The booth is in crazy mode
And this is just a fan fight
But I would smile if my man won
If I just get through this night
Oh, Oh

I could spend my time online
Defending my side
Pour my soul into each and every sentence
Then brace myself from the tide
Of attacks from the others
They'll state you don't know both sides
And I could bear the cold and stormy winter
If I just get through this fight
Oh, oh

Don't you know there's no place on this earth
Where you can run to escape the pain of a broken band?
We want them to make up but it's out of our hands,
Oh, oh
But now I've gotta get a life
Spend some time with kids and wife
And no longer to fly'

Styx could be a reborn star
The king of retro bands
Make us fly, attending many concerts
But they've split their loyal fans
If they would, end this current rift today
And know magic comes from the Big Three
They could blow us all away
If they'd only find their way, oh
If they just get through this fight, oh
So we'll have to get through this night



Interpretation

It all started with the release of Brave New World. Tommy Shaw and James Young wanted to release the album in the summer of 1999 and immediately tour to support the album. Dennis DeYoung was suffering from a mysterious illness that baffled doctors and left him unable to tour. He also wanted more time to finish the album. The album was released that summer over Dennis' objections, and the band went on the road with Lawrence Gowan filling in for Dennis and Glen Burtnik returning to fill in for Chuck Panozzo, who had previously decided to retire. Rumors started surfacing on the Internet, interviews and on-line chats with band members revealed conflicting and changing stories. Flame wars erupted on the various Styx e-mail lists as the fans polarized over the band's internal issues. Meanwhile, the Styx tour continued without Dennis, whose health improved enough to begin a highly-acclaimed solo tour with a 50-piece orchestra. This parody takes the perspective of the on-line fans, lamenting the missed opportunities. The reference to the voting booths is in reference to on-line polls where "crazy mode" means unlimited voting so people spend hours on-line voting to help their guy win.

You are sick and all alone
I Slowly reach for the telephone
'We're gonna tour without you'
And eventually there will be a coup

It's not always honesty
That is the best policy
So we'll ignore and you'll go away
And we'll never have to say that we have been

Leading a double life
Friends on the stage but plotting at night
Leading a double life
It can't be wrong because it feels so right.

And as we tour 'Styx' will bring the fans that
Think you are well and still with the band
Nobody knows, few people have seen
They really don't know where you've been
And that we've been

Leading a double life
Friends on the stage but plotting at night
Leading a double life
It can't be wrong because it feels so right.

We'll take your band, though we know you'll cry
Tommy will love it, and so will I
Double life, a double life, a masquerade
We've been living in a masquerade
Styx is our band now

Leading a double life
Friends on the stage but plotting at night
Leading a double life
It can't be wrong because it feels so right.



Interpretation

It all started with the release of Brave New World. Tommy Shaw and James Young wanted to release the album in the summer of 1999 and immediately tour to support the album. Dennis DeYoung was suffering from a mysterious illness that baffled doctors and left him unable to tour. He also wanted more time to finish the album. The album was released that summer over Dennis' objections, and the band went on the road with Lawrence Gowan filling in for Dennis and Glen Burtnik returning to fill in for Chuck Panozzo, who had previously decided to retire. Rumors started surfacing on the Internet, interviews and on-line chats with band members revealed conflicting and changing stories. Flame wars erupted on the various Styx e-mail lists as the fans polarized over the band's internal issues. Meanwhile, the Styx tour continued without Dennis, whose health improved enough to begin a highly-acclaimed solo tour with a 50-piece orchestra. This parody takes JY's perspective, or at least the demonized JY speculated by many of Dennis' fans.

Haven't we been here before
Footsteps lead down to the note on the door
That says I can't stay here anymore

And haven't we felt this same way
Sure in our hearts, but afraid just the same
To say I can't stay one minute more

You might think that it's hopeless
Beyond our control
But that's not necessarily so
Can't you see there's a chance
For the daring young soul
Who's finally learned to say no

No, I won't be misused
Ignored or refused
And I won't just give up and let go

So tonight hold me close to you
And don't give up what's important to you
And as time rolls on
Nothing can stand in our way

And I believe if we learn from the past
We'd find keys to unlock every door
Dark would turn into light
We'd be strong
We'd be right

So tonight hold me close to you
And don't give up what's important to you
And as time rolls on
Nothing will stand in our way

And I believe if we learn from the past
We'd say haven't we been here before
Oh, and I believe if we open our hearts
We'd find keys to unlock every door
Hearts could change overnight
We'd be strong...We'd be right
So stay with me now
The future is ours
And we'll be the ones who go on

I am the modren man
With this guitar in hand
I'll do my best and try
To keep rock and roll alive
...Keep it alive
...Keep it alive
...Keep it alive...

Don't let it end
Don't let it end
Don't let it end
Don't let it end

I'm gonna keep on rockin' all through the night
Shake it, shake it, baby, 'cause it feels so right
Motivate your body, gonna cure your soul
Keep on rockin' 'til I lose control

Don't let it end
I shake to soul music
Don't let it end
I gotta gotta have that music
Don't let it end
Chuck Berry
Don't let it end
The Platters
Don't let it end
Little Richard - ahoo!
Don't let it end
[repeat to fade]