To Kansas, "Wayward Son"! Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Kansas formed in the early 1970s in Topeka. I'm sure you can guess the state. The group found a sound somewhere between the complexity and indulgence of progressive rock and the sheer joy of good old-fashioned hard rock. While progressive bands were leaning into long, elaborate compositions and many hard rock bands were happily churning out the same four chords for fun and profit, Kansas managed to balance musical ambition with mainstream appeal. Their music was dynamic and thoughtful. And it rocked.

That balance reached a high point with their 1976 album "Leftoverture". It became the band's big breakthrough and lifted Kansas from a respected act to one of the biggest rock groups in the United States at the time. The album brought together powerful instrumentals, thoughtful lyrics, hard-rock drive, and of course classical influences for the prog-heads.

One of the major highlights of "Leftoverture" was "Carry On Wayward Son". The song became Kansas's signature track and one of the great classics of 1970s rock. It was written by guitarist Kerry Livgren, and the lyrics seem to deal with searching, uncertainty and self-doubt, personal struggle, and whatever other heady ideas you can draw from all the words above. However you interpret it, it's a song you can't hear without singing along.