Babe (Styx song)

"Babe" is a power ballad written by Dennis DeYoung and performed by the American rock band Styx. It was released in 1979 as the lead single from their ninth studio album, Cornerstone.

The song marked a significant departure from Styx's typical progressive rock sound, embracing a more commercially accessible pop-rock style. DeYoung originally wrote the song as a Christmas present for his wife, Suzanne. The other members of Styx were initially reluctant to record the song, fearing it would alienate their rock audience, but DeYoung insisted.

"Babe" became Styx's only US number-one single, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks in November 1979. It was also a significant international hit, reaching number one in Canada and charting highly in several other countries.

The song's success fueled the Cornerstone album, which became a multi-platinum seller. "Babe" is characterized by its prominent piano melody, DeYoung's emotive vocals, and its romantic lyrics. Despite its commercial success, the song also contributed to internal tensions within the band regarding their musical direction, ultimately playing a role in DeYoung's later departure from Styx. It remains one of Styx's most recognizable and popular songs.