Renegade
by Styx

Album: Pieces Of Eight (1978)
Charted: 16
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  • Oh, Mama, I'm in fear for my life
    From the long arm of the law
    Lawman has put an end to my running
    And I'm so far from my home
    Oh, Mama, I can hear you a crying
    You're so scared and all alone
    Hangman is coming down from the gallows
    And I don't have very long (yeah)

    The jig is up, the news is out
    They've finally found me
    The renegade who had it made
    Retrieved for a bounty
    Nevermore to go astray
    This will be the end today of the wanted man

    Oh, Mama, I've been years on the lam
    And had a high price on my head
    Lawman said, "Get him dead or alive"
    Now it's for sure he'll see me dead

    Dear Mama, I can hear you a crying
    You're so scared and all alone
    Hangman is coming down from the gallows
    And I don't have very long

    The jig is up, the news is out
    They've finally found me
    The renegade who had it made
    Retrieved for a bounty
    Nevermore to go astray
    The judge will have revenge today
    On the wanted man

    Oh, Mama, I'm in fear for my life
    From the long arm of the law
    Hangman is coming down from the gallows
    And I don't have very long

    The jig is up, the news is out
    They've finally found me
    The renegade who had it made
    Retrieved for a bounty
    Nevermore to go astray
    This will be the end today of the wanted man
    The wanted man

    And I don't wanna go, no-no
    Mama, don't let 'em take me!
    Hey, hey
    No, no, no, I can't go Writer/s: Tommy R. Shaw
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group, Wixen Music Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 30

  • Anonymous from MnI love that song so much
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 11th 1979, "Renegade" by Styx entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #73; and on June 3rd, 1979 it peaked at #16 {for 1 week} and spent 19 weeks on the Top 100...
    Was the eighth track off their eighth studio album, 'Pieces of Eight', and the album reached #6 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart...
    Two other tracks off the album also made the Top 100 chart; "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" {peaked at #21} and "Sing for the Day" {reached #41}...
    Between 1972 and 1981 the Chicago quintet had twenty-three Top 100 records; eight made the Top 10 with one reaching #1; "Babe" for two weeks on December 2nd, 1979.
  • Jodie from Xxxxx, MdGreat Song.
  • Bob from Farmington Hills, MiNear the end of the song Dennis DeYoung quotes the organ riff from Edgar Winter's classic instrumental "Frankenstein". This kind of "nod" is common among musicians and considered a compliment.
  • Cheryle from Columbus, OhWhen Tommy originally wrote this, it was more of a dirge, with minor keys and heavy 3-part harmony. JY initially hated the song. However, as they re-worked it, Dennis suggested Tommy sing the intro a capella (losing the 3-part harmony) and JY grew to like the song so much as a huge rocker that he asked Tommy if he could do the guitar solo. "Renegade" is now the final encore of their live shows, and the Steelers have adopted the song for their home games, and I have heard of it being played at Penguins games, as well.
  • Robin from Rockville, MdChase, my man - The term is "a cappella," not "au cappella." And what do you mean you "didn't like it"? Styx was one of the very few bands who COULD pull off an a cappella section, with their smooth, close harmonies. I sure am glad you got over that!! :-)
  • Chase from Miami, Flawesome song. when i first heard it, I didn't like the au cappella intro. Then the Eagles-worthy harmonizing came in. so did every thing else. It's now one of my favorite songs ever.
  • Billy from Columbus, OhThis song is played at every Steelers game. It dates back to 2001 the steelers came back from a 21 point deficit after the song was played. It is played in the 3rd quarter and makes the crowd go insane.
  • Linda from Chicago, IlLoved TW4 on various Sunday nights at Mendel HS dances. Anyone know where you can see a video of Styx aka TW4 doing "Earl of Roseland"....

    Renegade could be an autobiographical song about the kids showing up at the peoples store (Gatelys)or the Fenger vs CVS games at Gately stadium..back in the day of course...
  • Mia from Syracuse, NyI want to add that James Young does play the lead guitar solo in this son because when Tommy wrote it, he asked Tommy if he could play it because he loved how hardcore it rocked!
  • Mia from Syracuse, NyI love this song and when Styx does it live the crowd goes nuts. I have had the pleasure of standing directly in front of Tommy on many occations when they perform this song and WOW, I am blown away every time. This song has stood the test of time.
  • Erikka from Buckeye, AzI love everything about this song! The beats, the harmony, everything!
  • Nicole from Chicago, IlMy dad sang this when I was little, and I'd always tell him to stop because I was afraid of hangmen. It also makes me think of Freaks and Geeks! Great show!
  • Kristin from Heflin, Althis is one of my all time fav songs! this and miss america are my fav styx songs!!
  • Jimmy from Rolla, MoStyx is an amazing band and this song simply backs that up. Awesome song...one of the best ever.
  • Suzannah from Williamsport , MdI love this song.its so unforgettable
  • Melanie from Seattle, Wathis song is so cool. it starts out all mysterious and quiet, almost like the beginning of Bohemian Rhapsody. and then BAM! it explodes into awesomeness. this song rocks. Styx is amazing
  • Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesThis song is interesting. The beat is the right beat to dance to. Styx decided to mix the disco beat with such gloomy, morbid lyrics. How do those mix? That doesn't make much sense at all. But that's part of what's mysterious about Styx. You never know what two things the band "styx" together in a song until you hear it. Styx, you rock!! I like that your band is mysterious!!
  • Achory from Warner Robins, Gai love this song. my girlfriend said this was her softball team one year's theme song when they had this name, and i've decided that if i personally were to have a theme song, this would fit me best. obviously, i'm not a criminal or anything, but the gerneral theme of someone who's an outcast from society, has people looking for him, etc. fits me. i won't get into how.
  • Shelby from The Other Side , United StatesDude. This is seriously uber. Yeahhhhh...rock on Styx!
  • Lance from Pittsburgh, PaIt was the theme song to the 2005 Superbowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers!!!
  • Jeeves from Dc, Dchow can you stand styx this songs ok but i hate styx
  • Kedie from Hamilton, CanadaI'm more of a hip hop person, and yet i love this song.This song was also featured in the t.v show "supernatural". It's used to discribe Dean Winchester's kick ass personality.
  • Zac from Grawn, MiI would say this is one of my favorite Styx songs, but I also like Little Suzie. How come that isn't on here? I think it's a popular Styx song...
  • Randy from Colerain Twp., Oh This is one of those STYX songs where only the classic Styx lineup could perform, with JY on lead guitar, and John Panozzo on drums. I did have the pleasure of seeing STYX with the FAB FIVE perform this live. I also saw Tommy perform this song as a solo act twice in the 80's, and he just could not play the lead guitar like JY does. And Todd does not play the drums on this as well as John did. This song is definitely one to play as an encore.
  • Anonnymous from Nashville, TxThis is one of the best songs of all time.
  • Meg from Blahblahblah, Lagreat song. great band!

    styx is awsome and this is not as many comments as i would expect
  • Brandy from Seattle, WaOne of my favorite songs from Styx. It was also my late uncle's favorite Styx song too. It's great!
  • Veronica from Austin, TxGreat use of this song in the show Freaks and Geeks when the geeks are gearing up to fight their nemesis. They're marching down the street, as tough as they can be, with Renegade in the background.
  • Sean from Colorado Springs, CoHell yea it does... if you've not heard it, then you've not truly lived.. you've also not spent enough time in the car :P Radio stations like it as much as I do.
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