Styx is best known for the hit songs "Lady", "Come Sail Away", "Babe", "Boat on the River", "The Best of Times", "Too Much Time on My Hands", "Renegade" and "Mr. Roboto". The band has had four consecutive albums certified multi-platinum by the RIAA.
Miss America
Styx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As you cut the ribbon at the local mall
A mirage for both you and us
How can it be real?
We love your body in that photograph,
Your home state sure must be proud
The queen of the United States,
Or have you lost your crown
Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love
Well are you really who we think you are
Or does that smile seem to wear you down
Is the girl who you once were screaming to jump out
And the dream that you must live,
A disease for which there is no cure
This roller coaster ride you're on
Won't stop to let you off
Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love
Miss America, Miss America, Miss America
Miss America, Miss America, Miss America
Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love
Well it's true just take a look
The cover sometimes makes the book
And the judges, do they ever ask
To read between your lines
And in your cage at the human zoo,
They all stop to look at you
Next year, what will you do
When you have been forgotten
Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love
Miss America, Miss America, Miss America
Miss America, Miss America, Miss America
Miss America, Miss America, Miss America
The song "Miss America" by Styx is a critical commentary on the superficial nature of fame, the pressure of societal expectations, and how it can eat away at an individual's identity. The song starts by praising a woman who had captured the public's attention through her beauty, charm, and accomplishments, as she cut the ribbon at a local mall. However, the lyrics then raise the question of whether she truly is as perfect and happy as she appears to be or whether it's just a mirage for her and for society.
There's a hint of judgmental cynicism as the song wonders about whether the "dream" of living as Miss America is a "disease for which there is no cure" and references the pressures of living in a "human zoo." The lyrics suggest that despite the glitz and glamour, beauty can be an isolating and alienating aspect of life, and it often isn't a key to true happiness.
The song concludes with a prediction that even the most successful people eventually disappear into oblivion, and those who once loved them end up forgotten along with them. Despite the critical undertones of the song, however, it's also emotional and empathetic about the real human cost of being in the public spotlight.
Line by Line Meaning
You were the apple of the public's eye
You received a lot of attention and admiration from the public.
As you cut the ribbon at the local mall
You were celebrated for performing a simple task in public.
A mirage for both you and us
The reality of the situation is distorted for both you and the people admiring you.
How can it be real?
Is this really what it seems or is it just an illusion?
We love your body in that photograph,
We love the way you look in the picture.
Your home state sure must be proud
Your state must be proud to have someone like you representing them.
The queen of the United States,
You may be perceived as the queen of the country.
Or have you lost your crown
Or have you lost your position and power?
Well aren't you Miss America
Aren't you the epitome of American success and beauty?
Don't you Miss America
Don't you embody everything that is great about America?
Won't you Miss America
Won't you continue to inspire and represent America?
Our love
We have strong feelings of admiration and affection for you.
Well are you really who we think you are
Are you truly the amazing person we perceive you to be?
Or does that smile seem to wear you down
Is the pressure of maintaining that perfect image affecting you emotionally?
Is the girl who you once were screaming to jump out
Is your true self longing to break free from the image the public has created of you?
And the dream that you must live,
The ideal you must personify in order to maintain your status and admiration.
A disease for which there is no cure
A state of being that is harmful and cannot be changed or cured.
This roller coaster ride you're on
Your life is like a thrilling roller coaster that keeps going with no end in sight.
Won't stop to let you off
You cannot get off the ride, no matter how hard you try.
Miss America, Miss America, Miss America
You are the iconic representation of America.
Well it's true just take a look
The truth can be seen if you look closely.
The cover sometimes makes the book
Appearances can be deceiving and hide the true essence of a person.
And the judges, do they ever ask
The people judging you, do they ever ask the right questions?
To read between your lines
To understand your true motives and feelings beyond what is presented to the public.
And in your cage at the human zoo,
You are trapped in a public persona and constantly on display.
They all stop to look at you
People are always staring at you and scrutinizing your every move.
Next year, what will you do
What will happen to you in the future?
When you have been forgotten
When people stop admiring and caring about you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES V. YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
amine fender
You were the apple of the public's eye
As you cut the ribbon at the local mall
A mirage for both you and us
How can it be real?
We love your body in that photograph,
Your home state sure must be proud
The queen of the United States,
Or have you lost your crown
Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love
Well are you really who we think you are
Or does that smile seem to wear you down
Is the girl who you once were screaming to jump out
And the dream that you must live,
A disease for which there is no cure
This roller coaster ride you're on
Won't stop to let you off
Well aren't you Miss America
Don't you Miss America
Won't you Miss America
Our love
Miss America, Miss America, Miss America
Miss America,…
Richard E
The guitar and the vocals in this song - masterful! Tommy Shaw is so underrated and under recognized!
Karen Troyer
But this is James singing:-)
JT Baying
James Young..is magic also
michael hooks
james d young, vocals.....i thought had a more powerful voice, just not as high as tommy....
America First
The vocals and composistion is Dennis on this one.
Russell Rainwater
Most definitely underrated...the good old country boy from Alabama...creates his own genre..that song is every bit of 48.yrs. old...
Larry Baumer
I know its been out for a long time now, but to me, this is one of my favorite STYX songs by far. It kicks ass in every aspect... guitar, bass, lyrics, and that oh so special blend of kick-ass that makes it a one of a million timeless classic rock gem
Diane Adkins
kick ass huh yah im an actor im an habitchual liar
Roger Scott
77 was my 2nd year in the Marine Corps. I was with a grunt unit down at Lejeune and picked up a Honda 750 from a Marine that was getting out that summer. Styx and Uriah Heep were two of the many bands that I listened to the most during that summer. What a blast, still amazed I lived through it!
Eagle 73
One the best guitar riffs in world history regardless of how many people have heard it.