Styx

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Queen of Spades album cover

Queen of Spades

Styx

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Day into night, she's with me
How sweet is her warm embrace
Safe in the scent of jasmine
So safe in her gold and lace

[Verse 2]
Mornings I find, she's left me
So cold, so alone, but aware
I try to escape, she finds me
Oh run, though I may, she's there
There, there, there, there

[Verse 3]
Luck is a lady whose smile
Is as cold as a stone
She'll bring you things
Many things you might never have known
But when your die is cast
She'll have the final laugh at you
She'll lock you in a duel
Where you come out the fool

[Chorus]
Beware of the Queen of Spades!
Her black widow's curse might find you yet
Beware of a love that you will regret!
Her love means only your death
[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 4]
Day into night, she's with me
Turn of a card, she's there
The first time is free, you know
But from now on, pay me
Me, me, me, me
(Hahahahahaha! You lose!)

[Chorus]
Beware of the Queen of Spades!
Her black widow's curse might find you yet
Beware of a love that you will regret!
Her love means only your death

Beware of the Queen of Spades!
Her black widow's curse might find you yet
Beware of a love that you will regret!
Her love means only your death

[Outro]Embed

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Queen of Spades, a song by the American rock band Styx, was released in 1980 as part of their Paradise Theater album. The song features a heavy guitar riff and catchy chorus, which helped make it a fan favorite. The lyrical content of the song is based on the dangerous allure of gambling and the consequences that come along with it.

About Queen of Spades

The song starts with a driving guitar riff that sets the tone for the rest of the track. The opening lyrics introduce the concept of the queen of spades, a metaphor for the dangerous yet tempting world of gambling. The song's lyrics continue to paint a picture of the risks and rewards of gambling, with lines like "The game is hard to play, but I won't let go/ Of her hand, I'll be the winner taking all."

While the song's lyrics are focused on the world of gambling, it's the guitar work of James Young that really stands out. From the opening riff to the song's soaring solos, Young's guitar work is a highlight of the track. The rest of the band provides a solid foundation, with the rhythm section of Chuck Panozzo on bass and John Panozzo on drums locking in to create a driving beat.

The chorus of the song, which sees lead vocalist Dennis DeYoung and the rest of the band singing, "Queen of Spades, the lady of the moment/ She's a vision in the midnight light/ Queen of Spades, oh, she's the real thing/ She's a royal flush in the night," is an instantly memorable hook that has helped cement the song's place in Styx's catalog.

Queen of Spades is one of the standout tracks on Styx's Paradise Theater album, which was a commercial success upon its release in 1980. The album went on to be certified triple platinum in the United States, while the single for Too Much Time on My Hands was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Despite not being released as a single, Queen of Spades has become a fan favorite over the years, with fans often requesting the song at live shows. Its catchy chorus, heavy guitar riffs and memorable lyrics have helped make it one of the standout tracks on an already strong album.

In addition to being a fan favorite, Queen of Spades has also received critical acclaim over the years. Rolling Stone included the track on their list of "The Top 10 Styx Songs," praising the song for its "mountain-moving guitar riff." The song has also been included on various compilations of Styx's music over the years, further cementing its place as a classic track in the band's catalog.

In closing, Queen of Spades is a timeless rock song that features all the elements that made Styx one of the biggest bands of the 1970s and early 1980s. With its memorable chorus, powerful guitar work and strong lyrics, the track has become a fan favorite over the years and remains a standout on the Paradise Theater album.

  • Release Date: September 1, 1978
  • Artist: Styx