Styx – The Grand Illusion

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Send "The Grand Illusion" Ringtone to Cell

Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung

Welcome to the Grand illusion
Come on in and see what's happening
Pay the price, get your tickets for the show
The stage is set, the band starts playing
Suddenly your heart is pounding
Wishing secretly you were a star.

But don't be fooled by the radio
The TV or the magazines
They show you photographs of how your life should be
But they're just someone else's fantasy
So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because you never win the game
Just remember that it's a Grand illusion
And deep inside we're all the same.
We're all the same...

So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because your neighbors got it made
Just remember that it's a Grand illusion
And deep inside we're all the same.
We're all the same...

America spells competition, join us in our blind ambition
Get yourself a brand new motor car
Someday soon we'll stop to ponder what on Earth's this spell we're under
We made the grade and still we wonder who the hell we are

Send "The Grand Illusion" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by kevin

Track duration: 04:35

"The Grand Illusion" as written by Dennis De Young

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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The Grand Illusion song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's saying that money and the things that money can buy don't buy happiness. But people, the media, etc. try to convince people that money and material things can buy happiness. They try to make you feel like you need their product to be happy/successful, and they encourage you to try to have more, more, more. More than your neighbors, more than your friends, more than strangers, just more in general. It's to the point that many people are pretty much in competition with each other. I know it's cliche, but things such as family, friends, and art have so much more meaning and value than material goods.
    Flag dodgethebulleton November 19, 2010   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:It's about finding who the hell we are like other things.
    Flag rushpwnsxon April 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about how the narrator is warning someone to not be swerved by the "grand illusion" that's set up by the government and, most of all, the media.

    And, sadly, it's too true....
    Flag PrEsLeYsBiGsIsTaon April 21, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:...It's those like Prophet2005 that remind me why it's so nice having no religion.
    Flag AquilaCaton August 18, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:at 1:40, "all the same" and it echos. fantastique.
    Flag orangetomorrowon July 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The Grand Illusion is just that- A Grand Illusion put on by our world Governments and Powerful Rich People that secretly are in League with Satan - who is the Father of Lies and Illusions. This whole life is
    a test put on by God, to see if you will believe the
    Illusions and Lies of the world or If you will believe
    the Truth that is Written in the Holy Scriptures
    that explains Satan's Grand Illusions, the Old Serpent who Deceived the whole World's elect peoples to follw him and Not the one Ture Goid and
    Jesus Christ. Some Government Illusions are 911,
    Kenndy Execution, The Moon Lannding, Dr. Martin Luther Kings Execution, Pearl Harbor and much much more plots cooked up by Satan and his evil partners. The Bible says if, you know the Truth, the Truth will set you free! Dennis Deyoung is a very Strong Christain Man, who Knows God and Jesus,,,
    and He writes about God and the Devil is 80% of all his songs. You just don't realize it. Styx is a sacred River listed in the Old Testament. That River Styx
    seperates the evil world on one side and God's World of Love and Light on the other side! You must decide what side of the river you will stay on - in the
    end!
    Flagged Prophet2005on January 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The Grand Illusion, like a few other Styx creations, was a concept album. The whole record was about a specific topic. In the case of TGI, it was advertising.

    In the title track, the listener is told not to be fooled by radio, the TV, or the magazines. The listener is warned that they will be shown how their life should be, but not to listen, because it's the fancies of another. If anything, this song is about the commercialization they faced back then and we face today.

    -K
    Flag remastered0on December 21, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think this song is about how fans admire being a rock star. But that its not as good as it seems and you shouldn't give into what your being fed by the media about how glamorous it is. No ones better then anyone else and 'were all the same'. Don't be another materialistic american whos only subconscious goal is to get the newest stuff, hopelessly shriveling away into old age. And when you get old and wonder why were here and look back on your life yull be like, daym..
    Flag Bobpobloon September 23, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I can see why you'd say that, but your interpretation is far too simple. The song is definitely self explanatory when you read the lyrics. It's all about how everyone is given their own social class and their own assumed persona due to how much power and money they have, and about the glorious realization that deep inside, we really are the same thing: a totally power and money free soul.
    Flag OS Was Hereon June 11, 2004   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:The Grand Illusion = An OLD Matrix :p
    Flag Karlon May 11, 2003   Link

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