Too Much Time on My Hands

Kill some time with Styx's energetic 1981 hit, "Too Much Time on My Hands"! This AOR and new wave infused track from the Paradise Theatre album pulses with an unforgettable synthesizer riff and hard rock drive. A commentary on boredom, it remains a dynamic classic rock staple.

Featured on Styx's chart-topping 1981 concept album Paradise Theatre, "Too Much Time on My Hands" offered an upbeat, synth-heavy sound reflecting contemporary musical trends. Written and sung by guitarist Tommy Shaw, the song skillfully blends AOR catchiness with edgy new wave energy, all powered by its instantly recognizable, urgent synthesizer hook and a driving hard rock rhythm section.

Released as a highly successful single around March 01, 1981, "Too Much Time on My Hands" became a Top 10 hit for Styx, bolstered by its popular music video frequently aired on early MTV. This energetic fusion of AOR, new wave, and hard rock perfectly captured a sense of restless boredom, making it one of the band's most memorable hits from the Paradise Theatre era.

SONG MEANING: "Too Much Time on My Hands" explores the themes of boredom, unemployment, and the frustration of having nothing productive to do. Tommy Shaw reportedly wrote it after observing patrons drinking in a bar during the day. The lyrics describe aimlessly killing time ("Tickin' away"), the superficiality of idle socializing ("Is it any wonder I've got too much time on my hands"), and the underlying restlessness that comes with it.