Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)

Styx

About Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)

"Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" is the second single released from Styx's The Grand Illusion (1977) album. On the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in the U. S., the single peaked at number 29. It also hit no. 20 on the Canada RPM Top Singles chart the week of May 6, 1978. The song was written by guitarist Tommy Shaw. It was originally based on Shaw's initial perception of Styx keyboardist Dennis DeYoung — an "angry young man" who viewed the group's successes with a wary eye and grew angry or depressed with every setback. It was only in later years that Shaw began to see himself in the lyrics, and the song took on a more personal meaning to him. The composition features a number of time signature changes. The intro and outro are performed in 68 time, led by Shaw's acoustic guitar tracks and Dennis DeYoung's synthesizer melodies. The vocal sections of the song are in 44. The instrumental features a synthesizer solo in 74 time, before returning to 44 for the final chorus. After a brief intro recap, there is a brief break with two measures of 54 time, and then a return to the 68 meter, with another synthesizer solo, before fading out. 


Year:
2011
5:30
84 
#2

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

You see the world through your cynical eyes
You're a troubled young man I can tell
You've got it all in the palm of your hand
But your hand's wet with sweat and your head needs a rest

And you're fooling yourself if you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it

Why must you be such an angry young man
When your future looks quite bright to me?
How can there be such a sinister plan
That could hide such a lamb, such a caring young man?

You're fooling yourself if you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it

Get up, get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat and you know it
Come on, let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot and don't blow it, oh

Hey and you're fooling yourself if you don't believe it
You're killing yourself if you don't believe it

Get up, get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat and you know it
Come on, let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot and don't blow it, oh

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Styx

The Styx (Ancient Greek: Στύξ, also meaning "hate" and "detestation") (adjectival form: Stygian, /ˈstɪdʒiən/) is a river in Greek mythology that formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworld (often called Hades which is also the name of this domain's ruler). The rivers Styx, Phlegethon, Acheron, and Cocytus all converge at the center of the underworld on a great marsh, which is also sometimes called the Styx. The important rivers of the underworld are Lethe, Eridanos, and Alpheus. more »

6 fans

Written by: TOMMY SHAW

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release Date
'Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)' was released in 1977 as part of the Styx album, 'The Grand Illusion'.
Authorship
This song was written by Tommy Shaw, who is a guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist for the rock band Styx.
Inspiration For The Song
The song is essentially a message to former Styx guitarist James Young, encouraging him to accept his role in the band and believe in himself.
Chart Performance
It reached #29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in April 1978 and stayed on the charts for 13 weeks. It also landed at number 20 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart the same year.
Musical Structure
The song is distinctive for its usage of a synthesizer for its introductory fanfare and its cross-rhythmic nature, resulting in a vibe that’s more uplifting compared to much of Styx's material.
Cover Versions
'Fooling Yourself' has been covered by several performers, including American Idol Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta in 2008 for his self-titled album.
Live Performances
Almost every live performance of the song is preceded by Shaw playing the synthesizer piece. This, according to Shaw, is due to the reluctance of original keyboardist Dennis DeYoung to perform it.
Contributions To Pop Culture
The song was used in the end credits of the film Big Daddy starring Adam Sandler.
Classic Album Status
The song was a part of the album 'The Grand Illusion' which was certified triple-platinum in the United States and is considered Styx's breakout album.
Positive Message
Despite the title suggesting anger, the song is primarily known for its positive lyrics. They encourage listeners to not let negativity or cynicism blur their sense of self-worth and potential.
Song Recognition
'Fooling Yourself' remains a popular song from the Styx discography and is a staple of classic rock.

Discuss the Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/23541357/Styx/Fooling+Yourself+%28The+Angry+Young+Man%29>.

    Missing lyrics by Styx?

    Know any other songs by Styx? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)

    2.6M
    15,210     531

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1978

    Billboard #29


    more tracks from the album

    Babe: The Collection

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    To which Hasidic branch was the singer Matisyahu attached for a period of time?
    A Satmar
    B Belz
    C Lubavitch
    D Breslov

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Styx's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    • Fri • May 03 • 8:00 PM
      Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
    • Sat • May 04 • 8:00 PM
      Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
    • Fri • May 17 • 7:30 PM
      Molson Canadian Centre at Casino New/Nouveau Brunswick, Moncton
    • Sat • May 18 • 7:30 PM
      Credit Union Place, Summerside
    • Sun • May 19 • 7:30 PM
      Scotiabank Centre, Halifax
    Styx tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!