What's on My Mind (Kansas song)

Last updated
"What's on My Mind"
What's on My Mind cover.jpg
Single by Kansas
from the album Leftoverture
B-side "Lonely Street"
ReleasedMay 1977
Studio Studio in the Country
Genre Progressive rock
Length3:27
Label Kirshner
Songwriter(s) Kerry Livgren
Producer(s) Jeff Glixman
Kansas singles chronology
"Carry On Wayward Son"
(1976)		"What's on My Mind"
(1977)		"Point of Know Return"
(1977)

"What's on My Mind" is a song written by Kerry Livgren that was first released by Kansas on their 1976 album Leftoverture . It was also released as the follow-up single from the album to their hit "Carry On Wayward Son".

Contents

"What's on My Mind" was not as successful as "Carry On Wayward Son" and did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. It did reach No. 87 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart. [1] It also reached No. 89 in Canada. [2]

"What's on My Mind" was the first song written for Leftoverture and served as a starting point for the album. [3]

Reception

Cash Box said of the single "What's on My Mind" that it has a "combination of accessible pop melodies and brittle-edged instrumentation" and that "there are hooks here in the guitar work as well as the harmony vocals." [4] Record World said that "its structure is much simpler than 'Wayward Son'" but that "its high-energy hooks [are] just as compelling." [5]

News-Pilot critic Joseph Bensoua called out "What's on My Mind" and "Carry On Wayward Son" as "examples of how progressive musical themes can be merged with the basic energy of afforded with punchy rock." [6] St. Louis Post-Dispatch critic John S. Cullinane called "What's on My Mind" "the only clinker" on side 1 of Leftoverture and said that Livgren may have "had his mind on alfalfa fields and hog prices back home when he penned the sentimental lyrics." [7] Journal and Courier critic Mike Delaney felt that the song would make an excellent B-side of a single because it has "lots of punchy guitar contained within a very commercial song structure." [8]

In 1998, St. Louis News Tribune critic Andy Charest described "What's on My Mind" as one of Kansas' hits. [9] In 2016, Atlanta Constitution critic Melissa Ruggieri described "What's on My Mind" as a "fan favorite". [10] Music journalist Gary Graff affirmed Bensoua's view that the song is "punchy rock". [11]

Other releases

"What's on My Mind" has been included on several of Kansas' compilation albums, including Carry On in 1992, The Kansas Boxed Set in 1994, The Ultimate Kansas in 2002 and Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection in 2004. [12] [13] [14] [15]

Live performances

Kansas violinist David Ragsdale called out "What's on My Mind" as a song that Ronnie Platt, who joined Kansas as lead vocalist in 2014, sings particularly well in live concerts. [16] "What's on My Mind" was included on the 2017 live album Leftoverture Live & Beyond. [17] Prog magazine critic David West said that it "has a swaggering hard rock strut." [18]

Charts

Chart (1977)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [19] 89

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas (band)</span> American rock band

Kansas is an American rock band that formed in 1973 in Topeka, Kansas, and became popular during the decade initially on album-oriented rock charts and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind". The band has produced nine gold albums, three multi-platinum albums, one other platinum studio album (Monolith), one platinum live double album, and a million-selling single, "Dust in the Wind". Kansas appeared on the US Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the 1970s and 1980s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. "Carry On Wayward Son" was the second-most-played track on US classic rock radio in 1995 and No. 1 in 1997.

<i>Kansas</i> (Kansas album) 1974 studio album by Kansas

Kansas is the debut studio album by American progressive rock band Kansas, released in 1974 by Kirshner in the United States and Epic Records in other countries.

<i>Masque</i> (Kansas album) 1975 studio album by Kansas

Masque is the third studio album by American progressive rock band Kansas. The album was released in September 1975, remastered for CD in 2001, and again remastered and reissued on vinyl in 2014. The opening track, "It Takes a Woman's Love ", was remixed for release as a single but was not popular, including additional guest vocals and segments far different from the album version.

<i>Leftoverture</i> 1976 studio album by Kansas

Leftoverture is the fourth studio album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1976. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2001. It was the band's first album to be certified by the RIAA, and remains their highest selling album, having been certified 5 times platinum in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Walsh (musician)</span> American singer (born 1951)

Steve Walsh is an American singer, musician and songwriter, best known for his work as a longtime member of the progressive rock band Kansas. He retired from the band in 2014. He sings lead on four of Kansas' best-known hits: "Carry On Wayward Son", "Dust in the Wind", "Point of Know Return", and "All I Wanted", the last two of which he co-wrote.

<i>The Best of Kansas</i> 1984 greatest hits album by Kansas

The Best of Kansas is the first compilation by American progressive rock band Kansas. Originally released in 1984, it featured the new "Perfect Lover," written by then-lead vocalist John Elefante and his brother Dino Elefante.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carry On Wayward Son</span> 1976 single by Kansas

"Carry On Wayward Son" is a song by American rock band Kansas, released on their 1976 studio album, Leftoverture. Written by guitarist Kerry Livgren, the song became the band's first Top 40 hit, reaching No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dust in the Wind</span> 1978 single by Kansas

"Dust in the Wind" is a song recorded by American progressive rock band Kansas and written by band member Kerry Livgren, first released on their 1977 album Point of Know Return.

<i>The Kansas Boxed Set</i> 1994 box set by Kansas

The Kansas Boxed Set is the third compilation from the band Kansas. It was originally released in 1994, and was the band's first boxed set overview. It focuses solely on the original line-up of the band, from their first album in 1974 to Audio-Visions in 1980. It also includes a new track "Wheels". The release was supervised by all the original band members, unlike the first release of The Best of Kansas in 1984.

<i>The Ultimate Kansas</i> 2002 greatest hits album by Kansas

The Ultimate Kansas is the fourth compilation from the band Kansas. It was originally released in 2002, and focuses solely on their Kirshner period from their debut album Kansas in 1974, up to and including Drastic Measures in 1983. The collection was rereleased in 2008 under the title Essential Kansas 3.0 as part of the Sony/BMG Legacy series of that name, with an additional "bonus disc" with seven additional songs, and featuring "eco-friendly" packaging.

<i>Carry On</i> (Kansas album) 1992 greatest hits album by Kansas

Carry On is the second compilation from American rock band Kansas, released in 1992. It was later repackaged and re-released in 2005 as On the Other Side ; also, "Play the Game Tonight" and "Don't Take Your Love Away" were replaced with "What's on My Mind" and "Child of Innocence."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Blooded</span> 1978 single by Foreigner

"Hot Blooded" is a song by the British-American rock band Foreigner, from their second studio album Double Vision. It was released as a single in June 1978 and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that September. The single was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It is also the theme song to the truTV scripted series Tacoma FD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feels Like the First Time</span> 1977 single by Foreigner

"Feels Like the First Time" is the debut single by British-American rock band Foreigner. It was written by Mick Jones and released in 1977 from the band's eponymous debut album. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas discography</span>

The discography of Kansas, an American rock band, consists of 16 studio albums, seven live albums, nine compilation albums, and 29 singles. Formed by members Kerry Livgren, Robby Steinhardt, Dave Hope, Phil Ehart, Steve Walsh, and Rich Williams, the group signed a recording contract with Kirshner Records in 1974. That same year they released their self-titled debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Song for America (song)</span> 1975 single by Kansas

"Song for America" is the title track from the second album of American progressive rock band Kansas. It was written by guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren during the period of heavy touring for their first album. The song was released on their 1975 album Song for America, and later released as the band's third single, although it did not chart. It is known for its symphonic structure, and its lyrics showing America's state before and after colonization. The song is one of Kansas' most well-known songs from their period of obscurity, appearing on most of their collections, live albums and DVDs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point of Know Return (song)</span> 1977 single by Kansas

"Point of Know Return" is a song by the progressive rock band Kansas written by Steve Walsh (lyrics), Robby Steinhardt, and Phil Ehart for their 1977 album Point of Know Return.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portrait (He Knew)</span> Song by Kansas

"Portrait (He Knew)" is a song by the American progressive rock band Kansas. It was written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh and was recorded for the band's fifth album, Point of Know Return. The song was also released as a single after the success of "Point of Know Return" and "Dust in the Wind" and charted at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was later released on the live and compilation albums Two for the Show, Live at the Whisky, Device, Voice, Drum, The Kansas Boxed Set, The Ultimate Kansas, Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection, Works in Progress, and Playlist: The Very Best of Kansas. It appears in a number of different mixes and lengths: the original album version, the edited single version, a different single edit that appears as a bonus track on the European-only 1999 compilation Definitive Collection, and a new remix by the original producers Jeff Glixman as a bonus track on the CD remaster of its original parent album. It was also released on the DVDs of Device, Voice, Drum and Works in Progress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Even Now (Bob Seger song)</span> 1983 single by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

"Even Now" is a song written by Bob Seger that was first released on his 1982 album The Distance. It was also released as a single, backed with "Little Victories,". It reached #9 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart and #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as a lofty #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

"The Wall" is a song written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh that was first released on Kansas' 1976 album Leftoverture. It was subsequently released on several of the band's live and compilation albums.

References

  1. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. July 9, 1977. p. 4. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. ↑ "RPM Top Singles". Library and Archives Canada. July 23, 1977. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  3. ↑ Wardlaw, Matt (October 21, 2016). "40 Years Ago: Kansas Carry On in a Big Way With 'Leftoverture'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  4. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 21, 1977. p. 26. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  5. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. May 21, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  6. ↑ Bensoua, Joseph (December 10, 1976). "Chet's album no dog". News-Pilot. p. E8. Retrieved 2023-02-17– via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Cullinane, John S. (October 28, 1976). "Kansas Great State Of Mind". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 5F. Retrieved 2023-02-17– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Delaney, Mike (October 31, 1976). "Kansas effort carries on powerful rock tradition". Journal and Courier. p. C-5. Retrieved 2023-02-20– via newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Charest, Andy (October 23, 1998). "Kansas: Still Rocking After All These Years". St. Louis News Tribune. p. D1. Retrieved 2023-02-17– via newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (October 7, 2016). "Kansas". Atlanta Constitution. p. D7. Retrieved 2023-02-17– via newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Graff, Gary (1999). Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Schrimer. p. 622. ISBN   0825672562.
  12. ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "On the Other Side". Allmusic. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  13. ↑ Erlewnine, Stephen Thomas. "Box Set". Allmusic. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  14. ↑ Erlewnine, Stephen Thomas. "The Ultimate Kansas". Allmusic. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  15. ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Sail On: The 30th Anniversary Collection 1974-2004". Allmusic. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  16. ↑ Earnest, Mark (July 28, 2016). "Kansas show to pair new material, classic hits". Reno Gazette-Journal. p. H6. Retrieved 2023-02-17– via newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Leftoverture Live & Beyond". Allmusic. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  18. ↑ West, David (October 6, 2017). "Kansas - Leftoverture Live & Beyond album review". Prog. Louder Sound. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  19. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3682b." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.