Crystal Ball Songs Ranked

Crystal Ball is the sixth album by Styx, released in 1976. This album marked the recording debut of new guitarist Tommy Shaw. The track “Mademoiselle” was Tommy Shaw’s vocal debut and the album’s Top-40 hit. The album’s title track would become a concert staple for the band, as it was performed on every subsequent Styx tour with which Shaw was involved. Claude Debussy’s classical piece “Clair de Lune” served as the intro to the album’s closing track, “Ballerina”. The version of “Clair de Lune” on Crystal Ball features only DeYoung on piano, with the key changed from D flat to C, as the next track (“Ballerina”) begins in C minor. Here are all of Crystal Ball songs ranked.

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7. Clair de Lune – Ballerina

“It’s part of the pizzazz that became Styx trademark sound. Claire De Lune/Ballerina opens with Claude Debussy’s classical piece (changed from D Flat to C to match Ballerina) and sweeps into the main song. It’s grandiose and yet very, very Styx.”

6. Shooz

“Then it turns on the rock faucet and there you go. Styx definitely had arrived. Shooz has a swagger. A little jive. Tommy walks it along with a lot of wail. Fun song..”

See more: Styx Albums Ranked

5. Jennifer

“Jennifer is Dennis DeYoung at what he does best. Just rocking and wailing. Not sure who this song was about, but it certainly wasn’t about his wife Suzanne. Hmmmmm. Great song even though the lyrics are a little underage creepy.”

4. Put Me On

“From the opening track, Put Me On, there is an immediacy to this album that can’t be denied at all. It just comes at you right out of the gate. James Young is absolutely shredding on that song as well as singing (with Dennis in the middle).”

See more: Styx Songs Ranked

3. Mademoiselle

“Mademoiselle is Tommy’s vocal debut and it is masterful. He brought a few songs with him into the band, this being one, Shooz, and the title track being the third. Tommy just fit the band like a glove. Mademoiselle is very Queen-feeling.”

2. Crystal Ball

“The title track is just gorgeous as well. Tommy sounds great. What an epic addition to an already rising band. The final puzzle piece. Acoustic and flowing, with those backing harmonies slathered all over it. Tommy sings with such feeling.”

1. This Old Man

“One of my favorites. There are certain albums where you start at the first song……….and then go to the last song. This is one of those albums. I like the industrial noises in This old man. The pa pa pa paa obviously referring to his dad is very cool.”