Cornerstone is the ninth studio album by the American rock band Styx, released in 1979. Styx's third straight multi-platinum selling album, Cornerstone was Styx's first album to earn a Grammy nomination, which was for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. Like the four previous Styx albums, the band produced the album themselves. Styx recorded the album at Pumpkin Studios in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Cornerstone is best known for including the group's only No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Single, the power ballad "Babe". The album also includes the folk rock song "Boat on the River," which was a hit in Europe, though it failed to chart in the United States. "Why Me" was also a notable song, peaking at #26 on Billboard, #18 on Cashbox, #12 on Radio and Records, and #10 on Canada Top 100.

Cornerstone became Styx's first US Top 5 album, entering Billboard on October 13, 1979, and peaking at No. 2 in late November.

Background

The album represented a musical transition for Styx, as the band emphasized its pop sound more than the progressive rock influences that dominated their first eight studio albums. Peaking at #2, the album was Styx's highest album chart peak until its successor, 1981's Paradise Theatre, which hit #1. The track was first performed and recorded as a demo with just him and the Panozzo brothers but A&M executives heard the track and insisted it go on the album. The division was strong enough that DeYoung was briefly fired from the band, although he was invited back before word reached the press or public. "First Time" did get released as a single in the Philippines.

Shaw's major contribution to the album was the folkish "Boat on the River," which became the band's biggest European hit.

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Year-end charts

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

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! scope="col" | Chart (1979)

! scope="col" | Position

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! scope="col" | Chart (1980)

! scope="col" | Position

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! scope="row" | Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)

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! scope="row" | German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)

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! scope="row" | US Billboard 200

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Certifications and sales

References

  • Styx - Cornerstone (1979) album review by Mike DeGagne, credits & releases at AllMusic.com
  • Styx - Cornerstone (1979) album releases & credits at Discogs.com
  • Styx - Cornerstone (1979) album credits & user reviews at ProgArchives.com
  • Styx - Cornerstone (1979) album to be listened as stream at Spotify.com