Babe (Styx song)


"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, US number-one single, spending two weeks at No. 1 in December 1979. "Babe" also went to No. 9 on the Adult Contemporary chart. 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 No. 6. It also reached No. 1 in South Africa.

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 No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was their only major UK hit single, reaching No. 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.
The song was very popular in the Philippines in the 1980s and continues to be a favorite song up to this time.

Personnel

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Rank
Australia 48
Canada39
South Africa18
US Billboard Hot 10020

All-time charts

Certifications

Caught in the Act version

In 1997 Dutch boy band Caught in the Act covered "Babe" on their album Vibe. The song's success was modest.

Music video

In the music video, the band members play soldiers and perform the song both in a barracks and on patrol. They take a look at a waitress.

Track listing

CD maxi
  1. "Babe" – 4:28
  2. "Babe" – 4:25
  3. "Babe" – 6:42
  4. "Don't Just Leave Me Now" – 4:46

    Charts

Other cover versions

covered the song on his 2008 album, Alex Loves. Filipino singer April Boy Regino also covered the song on his 2000 album Super Idol. This song is also covered by Filipino singer and actor Piolo Pascual for the film Babe, I Love You from Star Cinema in the Philippines.