Carry On My Wayward Son
Kansas, 1976, from Leftoverture. Solo by Kerry Livgren & Rich Williams.
The guitar work is shared by Kerry Livgren, who wrote the song, and Rich Williams. Rather than one long improvisation, the instrumental break is a tightly arranged passage in which guitar lines interlock with Steve Walsh's keyboards, typical of the band's composed, progressive approach set against a heavy rock riff. Harmonized parts give the section a bright, anthemic lift. The song moves between intricate passages and a catchy chorus. Listen for the interplay between guitars and keyboards in the break; the lines fit together like pieces of a puzzle rather than a single player stretching out.
Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas is ranked #102 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Kerry Livgren & Rich Williams and the song was released in 1976. It appears on 6 lists, placing as high as #21 (Top 40 Weekly).
The story of Carry On My Wayward Son
When Kansas gathered to rehearse their fourth album in a vacant strip-mall shop in their hometown of Topeka, singer Steve Walsh arrived with no new songs at all, leaving guitarist and keyboardist Kerry Livgren to supply nearly the entire record. Livgren wrote much of it on a Lowrey organ at his parents' house. Carry On Wayward Son came last: he felt it arrived almost fully formed, and he played it for the band only on the final day in Topeka, telling them they had better hear one more song.
Livgren later described the lyric as autobiographical. Alongside his career in music he had long been on a spiritual quest for truth and meaning, and the song's weary traveller urged to keep going reflected that search. A few years later, in July 1979, he became a born-again Christian and afterwards recorded mainly as a Christian rock artist. Drummer Phil Ehart recalled that the band thought the song was strong but did not expect a hit from a six-minute piece.
The band cut Leftoverture at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, with Jeff Glixman co-producing. The album track, trimmed from a longer original arrangement to 5:26 and opening with an a cappella vocal, was chosen to lead off the record. After FM stations embraced it, Kirshner issued a 3:26 single edit in November 1976. It entered the Hot 100 on Christmas Day at No. 86 and, after big AM stations such as WABC and KHJ added it, peaked at No. 11 in April 1977.
The solo
The guitar work is shared between Kansas's two guitarists: Kerry Livgren, who wrote the song, and Rich Williams, who is credited with the album's electric and acoustic guitars. Rather than a single long improvisation, the instrumental break is a tightly arranged passage in which guitar lines interlock with Steve Walsh's keyboards, typical of the band's composed, progressive approach set against a heavy rock riff. Line 6's tone reconstruction of the track models Livgren on a Gibson ES-335 and Williams on a Gibson Les Paul, both feeding Marshall 1959 heads into 4x12 cabinets in standard tuning, although published sources do not break down exactly who plays each lead phrase or document any effects. Ultimate Classic Rock's Eduardo Rivadavia praised how the song slides between studied technique and an infectious melody before its soaring chorus.
Legacy
Carry On Wayward Son became Kansas's first Top 40 hit and remains their signature song and a pillar of classic rock radio. It has been certified four times platinum in the US and platinum in the UK, VH1 ranked it No. 96 among the greatest hard rock songs, and both Ultimate Classic Rock and Classic Rock magazine have named it the band's best song. A new generation discovered it through Supernatural, which used it in nearly every season finale, and through appearances in films such as Happy Gilmore and Anchorman.
Top 10 facts about Carry On My Wayward Son
Steve Walsh arrived at the first Leftoverture rehearsal with no songs, so Kerry Livgren wrote almost the whole album.
WikipediaLivgren presented the song only on the band's last day of rehearsals in Topeka, making it the final addition to the album.
WikipediaLivgren composed the music at his parents' home on the family organ.
SongfactsThe 5:26 album version was itself cut down from a composition that originally ran around seven and a half minutes.
WikipediaThe single debuted at No. 86 on December 25, 1976 and peaked at No. 11 on April 2, 1977.
WikipediaLeftoverture was recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana, and became Kansas's best-selling album, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard 200.
Wikipedia: LeftovertureThe song reached 4x Platinum certification from the RIAA in November 2019.
WikipediaSupernatural used the original in nearly every season finale, and a cover by the duo Neoni closed the series finale.
WikipediaKansas played San Diego Comic-Con in 2017 for Supernatural fans.
SongfactsLine 6's tone template for the song models Livgren on a Gibson ES-335 and Rich Williams on a Les Paul, both through Marshall 1959 heads.
Line 6
Live versions
- Two for the Show (1978) Platinum double live album taped in 1977–78 at venues including New York's Palladium; the song appears on side two.
- San Diego Comic-Con (2017) Kansas played for Supernatural fans, reflecting the show's role in the song's second life.
Notable covers
- Yngwie Malmsteen (1996) Included on his covers album Inspiration.
- The Oak Ridge Boys (2002) Recorded for the compilation When Pigs Fly.
- Anthrax (2016) Bonus track on the For All Kings box set; issued as a 12-inch in 2017.
- Neoni Reimagined version for Supernatural's series finale, titled Carry On.
In our lists
- See Them Live — #33
- One and Only — #14
- The 25 Greatest Classic Rock Guitar Solos — #19
- The 25 Greatest Prog Guitar Solos — #7
- Twin Guitars & Harmonies — #9
- The Best Kansas Guitar Solos — #1
Sources
- Top 40 Weekly: Best 70s Guitar Solos: Top 40 Greatest of the Decade — #21
- Ranker: The Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — #29
- NME: 50 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — #49
- Guitar Tricks: 200 Best Guitar Solos of All Time — #71
- Classic Rock (Louder): The 100 greatest guitar solos in rock — #89
- Digital Dream Door: 250 Greatest Rock Guitar Solos — #121
- Musician Tuts: The 51 Best Guitar Solos Of All Time
- Wikipedia: Carry On Wayward Son
- Wikipedia: Leftoverture
- Songfacts: Carry On Wayward Son
- Line 6: Carry On Wayward Son tone template
- Wikipedia: Two for the Show (Kansas album)
What guitar was used on the Carry On My Wayward Son solo?
A gibson les paul, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Carry On My Wayward Son rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#102 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 6 of them.
Who wrote Carry On Wayward Son?
Kansas guitarist and keyboardist Kerry Livgren wrote it on his own.
What is Carry On Wayward Son about?
Livgren called it autobiographical, describing his ongoing spiritual search for truth and meaning.
What album is Carry On Wayward Son on?
It opens Kansas's 1976 album Leftoverture.
Who plays guitar on Carry On Wayward Son?
Kerry Livgren and Rich Williams share the guitar parts; Williams is credited with electric and acoustic guitars on the album.
Why is Carry On Wayward Son in Supernatural?
The show adopted it as an unofficial anthem, playing it in nearly every season finale.