# Kansas (band)

Kansas is an American progressive rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on album-oriented rock charts and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind". The original members included: Phil Ehart – drums, percussion; Dave Hope – bass, vocals; Kerry Livgren – guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, vocals; Robby Steinhardt – violin, vocals; Steve Walsh – keyboards, synthesizers, percussion, vocals; and Rich Williams – guitars.

## Song lyrics
### Song for America (1975)

* Highways scar the mountainsides, buildings to the sky, people all around, Houses stand in endless rows, sea to shining sea, people all around. So we rule this land, and here we stand upon our paradise, Dreaming of a place, our weary race is ready to arise.
** Song for America, written by Kerry Livgren

### Leftoverture (1976)

* Once I rose above the noise and confusion Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion. I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high. Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man; Though my mind could think I still was a mad man. I hear the voices when I'm dreamin', I can hear them say.Carry on my wayward son, For there'll be peace when you are done. Lay your weary head to rest. Now don't you cry no more.
** Carry On Wayward Son, written by Kerry Livgren
* Masquerading as a man with a reason, My charade is the event of the season. And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know,
** Carry On Wayward Son

### Point of Know Return (1977)

* Your father, he said he needs you; Your mother, she says she loves you. Your brothers, they echo your words: "How far to the point of know return?" "Well, how long?"
** Point of Know Return, written by Phil Ehart, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh
* He had a thousand ideas, you might have heard his name. He lived alone with his vision Not looking for fortune or fame. Never said too much to speak of, He was off on another plane. The words that he said were a mystery, Nobody's sure he was sane.But he knew, he knew more than me or you. No one could see his view, Oh where was he going to?
** Portrait, written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh
* I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone. All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity. Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind. Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea. All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see. Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind.
** Dust in the Wind, written by Kerry Livgren

### Monolith (1979)

* Well, it's a hard thing to face the music: But it's something everybody has got to do. So I hope that I can always remember All the crazy times we had to go through. Now it's a dream that is slowly fading, And I don't want it to go. All of the memories are evading And I want you to know (it's the)People of the south wind, people of the southern wind; It's the people of the wind, I got to be there again.
** People of the South Wind, written by Kerry Livgren

### Audio-Visions (1980)

* Look in the mirror and tell me Just what you see. What have the years of your life Taught you to be? Innocence dyin' in so many ways, Things that you dream of are lost, Lost in the haze.Hold on, baby hold on 'Cause it's closer than you think. And you're standing on the brink. Hold on, baby hold on 'Cause there's something on the way. Your tomorrow's not the same as today.
** Hold On, written by Kerry Livgren

### Vinyl Confessions (1982)

* Play, play the game tonight. Can you tell me if it's wrong or right? It is worth the time, is it worth the price? Do you see yourself in a white spotlight? Then play the game tonight.
** Play the Game Tonight, written by Phil Ehart, Danny Flower, Rob Frazier, Kerry Livgren, Rich Williams

### Drastic Measures (1983)

* That's why I fight fire with fire. Oh I'm burning inside and my heart is a-cryin'. Fire with fire. I don't want to lose this flamin' desire.
** Fight Fire with Fire, written by Dino Elefante and John Elefante
* It's so predictable and everybody judges by the numbers that you're selling. Just crank 'em out on the assembly line and chart 'em higher (higher, higher). Just keep it simple boys it's gonna be alright as long as you're inside the Mainstream, are we moving too far away? Is it worth it if it doesn't pay? The centerline is status quo, it's Mainstream.
** Mainstream, written by Kerry Livgren

### Power (1986)

* Sometimes a smile can deceive the one who has made you promise. Suddenly you can't believe, the truth only leaves you cold. Sometimes the answers you fear are there on the face in the mirror. Something the world needs to hear but no one is even listening.
** Power, written by Randy Goodrum, Steve Morse, Steve Walsh
* You say it's time to stay behind. All I wanted was to hold you; All I wanted was to touch you. No need for blame cause we're not the same. All I wanted was to love you; That's all I wanted.
** All I Wanted, written by Steve Morse and Steve Walsh

## Quotes about Kansas

* Between the lyrical and compositional complexity of guitarist Kerry Livgren's mind to Robby Steinhardt's rock-fused violin or Phil Ehart's timely drumming, Kansas was more than just an arena rock staple from the 1970s. The band's early work was filled with virtuosity, and even its breakthrough 1976 Leftoverture, anchored by the classic "Carry On Wayward Son," was commercially progressive. There might not be a more progressive ballad than 1978's "Dust in the Wind."
** Jeff Mezydlo of Yardbarker (February 2025)