Three Best Kansas Songs

You'll Find One of Kansas' Three Best Songs on "Masque," Their Release from 1975 (Kirshner Records)

It’s been thirty-seven years since their 1974 debut and Kansas is still performing. There’s plenty to pick through in their 14 album catalog; here are their Three Best.

#3. “All the World” (from Masque): Released in 1975, Masque was a transitional album for Kansas, a bridge between the harder, more progressive sound of Song for America and the more accessible songs on Leftoverture. “All the World,” co-written by Steve Walsh and Robby Steinhardt, leans toward the latter. A comment on YouTube is pertinent: “It’s a shame people only think of “Dust In The Wind” and “Carry On Wayward Son” when the group Kansas is mentioned.”

#2. “What’s on My Mind” (from Leftoverture): With pressure on the band to come up with a hit and primary songwriter Steve Walsh reportedly suffering from writer’s block, Kerry Livgren stepped in to write a good share of this album. “Carry On Wayward Son” was, of course, the hit they were looking for but it wasn’t the best tune on the record. “What’s on My Mind” is shorter, more tightly focused and far easier to dance to. And the last eight bars are just bad-ass.

#1. “People of the South Wind” (from Monolith) and “Song for America” (from Song for America): To be fair, there has to be a tie for Number 1 in the Kansas catalog. “People of the South Wind,” which was a Top 40 hit, was the best “pop” song they ever wrote: a straightforward rock-and-roll groove, great lyrics, a melody that you need to hear just once, great violin riffs and a scorching guitar solo. “Song for America” was the best “prog” song they ever wrote: majestic, dignified and emotional.

How do your picks stack up against ours? Find more ‘Three Best Songs’ for other artists here.