‘Renegade’ is a 1979 hit song recorded by the American rock band Styx on their Pieces of Eight album. Although songwriter Tommy Shaw and fellow Styx guitarist James Young usually played lead guitar on their own compositions, Shaw asked Young if he could take the solo on ‘Renegade’. Young agreed, and Young later returned the favor by allowing Shaw to play lead on his ‘Half-Penny, Two-Penny’ on the Paradise Theatre album. When performed live from 1978 to 1983, drummer John Panozzo increased the tempo of the drum pattern during the guitar solo sections. Also, the track would serve as the drum solo spot for Panozzo during that time frame.
The song is a first-person narrative of an outlaw, captured for a bounty, who recognizes that he is about to be executed for his criminal activities. The execution will be by hanging, as the outlaw laments, "Hangman is coming down from the gallows and I don't have very long." Some pressings of the single were made with translucent, red vinyl. Years after its release it remains a staple on classic rock radio playlists, and is usually the final song Styx plays at its concerts.
"It's one of those songs that kind of wrote itself," Tommy Shaw explained in an ESPN interview. "I was in my house in Michigan, 1978, at the piano. I came up with this slow, dirge-y thing, very dark. I just started singing, and those are the first words that came out ('Oh, mama I'm in fear for my life...'). I've never been in trouble with the law - I don't know where it came from."
‘Renegade’ reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1979. Cash Box said it "opens with delicate a cappella singing which suddenly breaks into powerful drum beat and rhythm guitar work." Record World called it a "story ballad with high harmony vocals and a strong rock track" and said that it had to be released as a single due to heavy AOR play. Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated "Renegade" as Styx 2nd best song, particularly praising Young's guitar solo.
This song was used in the Adam Sandler movies Big Daddy and Billy Madison.
Label – A&M
Songwriter – Tommy Shaw
Producers – Styx
SONG LYRICS
[Intro]Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Lawman has put an end to my running, and I'm so far from my home
Oh Mama, I can hear you a-cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows, and I don't have very long
(Yeah!)
[Chorus]
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man
[Verse]
Oh Mama, I've been years on the lam and had a high price on my head
Lawman said, "Get him dead or alive;" I was for sure he'll see me dead
Dear Mama, I can hear you a-cryin', you're so scared and all alone
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows, and I don't have very long
[Chorus]
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
The judge will have revenge today
On the wanted man
[Guitar Solo]
[Bridge]
Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law
Hangman is comin' down from the gallows, and I don't have very long
[Chorus]
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This'll be the end today
Of the wanted man
The wanted man
[Outro]
And I don't wanna go, no, no
Mama, don't let 'em take me!
Hey, hey
No, no, no, I can't go