Top Ten Songs by Kansas
1. Carry On My Wayward Son
The vocal refrain of the title and the hard-driving guitar rock riff make this song a must-love for fans of classic rock, and perhaps THE classic Kansas song, although like some other hit songs it is more musically sophisticated than one might have expected from a “pop” song. From “Leftoverture”.
2. Dust In the Wind
One of the band’s few ballads, and indeed an almost uncharacteristic work, this melancholy acoustic piece, which includes a solo Robby Steinhart’s violin, describes the seeming futile impermanence of human life and activity: “All we do crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see.” This is a sentiment that songwriter Kerry Livgren would later refute after his conversion to Christianity. From “The Point of Know Return.”
3. Song For America
One of Kansas’ earlier songs from the album of the same, this large-scale piece was inspired by a plane flight over America, and the feeling is well communicated in the song in its soaring, decidedly cinematic feeling. Lots of interesting keyboards here, with a piano solo in the middle and a stirring synthesizer hook during the second part of the main theme.
4. Belexes
From the band’s self-titled debut album, this song was brought in by Livgren from his previous band, which was also called Kansas. (That earlier band is now referred to as Proto-Kaw – “before Kansas” – and their recording of “Belexes” is available on a retrospective CD. Proto-Kaw has reformed and is currently active.) A driving, devilish-sounding rock song built around a slightly jazzy metal feeling.
5. Icarus (Borne On Wings of Steel)
Refers to the Greek myth of Icarus, this is a solid rock song from “Masque”. This song includes a guitar solo from Rich Williams, Kansas’ second guitarist.
6. The Wall
A sort of early power ballad from “Leftoverture,” this almost surprisingly heartfelt song describes spiritual frustration and searching.
7. The Pinnacle
From “Masque”, this is what it sounds like – an extensive, very cinematic piece with a climactic ending. It serves as a sort of sequel to the track preceding it, “Mysteries and Mayhem”.
8. Incomudro – Hymn to the Atman
A dark, epic 12-minute piece from “Song For America”, this was also passed on to the band from the original group Proto-Kaw. Featuring an extended drum solo. Like “Belexes”, the title is presumably a made-up word.
9. Apercu
This is another epic piece from Kansas’ debut album, and one of their most underrated works: a dynamic and varied musical journey. This is also a made-up word. The lyrics deal with themes of reincarnation and immortality: “We have done it all before, in our minds behind the door.”
10. Magnum Opus
Just look at the title! From “Leftoverture”, this was actually the working title for the album itself, but they decided just to give the to name this song.