"Borrowed Time" is a song written by

Dennis DeYoung Dennis DeYoung (born February 18, 1947) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. He was a founding member of the rock band Styx, and served as its primary lead vocalist and keyboardist from 1972 until 1999. DeYoung was th ...

and

Tommy Shaw Tommy Roland Shaw (born September 11, 1953) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter best known for his tenure in the rock band Styx (band), Styx as co-lead vocalist. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with other groups includi ...

that was first released on

Styx In Greek mythology, Styx (; grc, Στύξ ) is a river that forms the boundary between Earth (Gaia) and the Underworld. The rivers Acheron, Cocytus, Lethe, Phlegethon, and Styx all converge at the centre of the underworld on a great marsh, whic ...

's 1979 album ''

Cornerstone The cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure. Over time ...

'' and was also released as the third single from ''Cornerstone''. It peaked at No. 64 on the U.S. chart in April 1980. The band opened their concerts with this song on their 1979-1980 tour in support of ''Cornerstone''. It would also serve as an encore on the band's 1981-1982 '' Paradise Theatre'' tour. According to DeYoung, the theme of the song is "America in trouble." ''News Record'' writer Rex Rutkoski said that the song "examines an America living on "Borrowed Time," wearing blinders to the possibility of its own decline. ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' said that it has a "hard rock attack, "fiery lead guitar work" and "crack harmonies." ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' said that it "rocks out harder" than the previous singles from the album, "

Babe Babe or babes may refer to: * Babe, a term of endearment * A newborn baby * An attractive (especially female) person People Nickname * Babe Adams (1882–1968), American Major League Baseball pitcher * Babe Barna (1917–1972), American Major L ...

" and "

Why Me Why Me or Why Me? may refer to: Music * Why Me (Kris Kristofferson song), "Why Me" (Kris Kristofferson song), 1973 * Why Me (Styx song), "Why Me" (Styx song), 1979 * Why Me? (Irene Cara song), "Why Me?" (Irene Cara song), 1983 * Why Me? (Linda Mart ...

", and that the "fiery lead vocal and matching guitar riffs spark the track." ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of the three main music industry trade magazines in the United States, along with '' Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 under the name ''Music Vendor'', but in 1964 it was changed to ''Record Wo ...

'' said that "Slashing guitars and raucous vocals ride a breakneck pace to the top of AOR-pop." ''

Sacramento Bee ''The Sacramento Bee'' is a daily newspaper published in Sacramento, California, in the United States. Since its foundation in 1857, ''The Bee'' has become the largest newspaper in Sacramento, the fifth largest newspaper in California, and the 2 ...

'' contributor Andy Sechor contrasted the song's "strident notes" with the "acoustic tenderness" of "Babe". Canadian Press critic Michael Lawson found the song to be "less appealing" than the softer songs on ''Cornerstone'', calling it a "heavier number spitting out the anger of '60s youth." ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' critic Sterling Whitaker rated "Borrowed Time" as DeYoung's 2nd best "song that rocks," saying that despite soft rock songs like "Babe" it "showed he was still interested in harder-edged material." Whitaker also pointed out that the line about America "living high, living fine / Living high on borrowed time" was "a prediction which proved sadly accurate." Music critic Conrad Bibens rated "Borrowed Time" as one of the 2 best songs on ''Cornerstone'' (along with "First Time"), saying that DeYoung has "returned to his lyrical stance on ''

The Grand Illusion ''The Grand Illusion'' is the seventh studio album by American rock music, rock band Styx (band), Styx. Recorded at Paragon Recording Studios in Chicago, the album was released on July 7, 1977, by A&M Records. (Intentionally choosing the combi ...

'', an awareness of others' problems and the knowledge that "fame" is just a temporary mirage" with lyrics like: :I'm so confused by the things I read, I need the truth :But the truth is, I don't know who to believe :The left says yes, and the right says no :I'm in between and the more I learn :Well, the less I know... ''

Cincinnati Enquirer ''The Cincinnati Enquirer'' is a morning daily newspaper published by Gannett in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. First published in 1841, the ''Enquirer'' is the last remaining daily newspaper in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, altho ...

'' contributor Britt Robson criticizes the "innocuous" socio-political stance reflected in these same lines because DeYoung's proposed solution is to "forget about it and start 'living high on borrowed time.'" Similarly, ''

Newsday ''Newsday'' is an American daily newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, although it is also sold throughout the New York metropolitan area. The slogan of the newspaper is "Newsday, Your Eye on LI", and f ...

'' critic Wayne Robins compares these lyrics to

Supertramp Supertramp were an English rock band that formed in London in 1969. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards, and guitars) and Rick Davies (vocals and keyboards), they are distinguished for blending pro ...

's "

The Logical Song "The Logical Song" is a song by English rock group Supertramp that was released as the lead single from their album ''Breakfast in America'' in March 1979. It was written primarily by the band's Roger Hodgson, who based the lyrics on his experie ...

" but says that rather than "following this worthwhile admission through to some sensible conclusion" the band cops-out by concluding this verse with the line "I got to make a show." A music video was filmed of the band performing the song on stage. The video is included on the '' Caught In The Act'' DVD. A clip from this video was shown (as Kilroy's band) in the '' Kilroy Was Here'' film.

Personnel

- lead vocals, keyboards *

- lead guitar, backing vocals * James Young - rhythm guitar, backing vocals *

Chuck Panozzo Charles Salvatore Panozzo (born September 20, 1948) is an American musician best known as a co-founder of the rock band Styx. He is currently a part-time bass player in the band, sharing bass duties with Ricky Phillips. Panozzo suffers from HIV ...

- bass guitar *

John Panozzo John Anthony Panozzo (September 20, 1948 – July 16, 1996) was an American drummer best known for his work with rock band Styx. Early life and career Panozzo grew up in the Roseland neighborhood, the south side of Chicago, Illinois, with hi ...

- drums, percussion

References

{{authority control Styx (band) songs 1980 singles Songs written by Dennis DeYoung Songs written by Tommy Shaw A&M Records singles 1979 songs