Dust in the Wind
Encyclopedia
"Dust in the Wind" is a song by American
progressive rock
band Kansas
, first released on their 1977 album Point of Know Return
.
The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100
the week of April 22, 1978, making it Kansas' only top ten Billboard Hot 100 charting single. The 45-rpm single was certified Gold for sales of one million units by the RIAA shortly after the height of its popularity as a hit single. More than 25 years later, the RIAA certified Gold the digital download format of the song, Kansas' only single so certified as of September 17, 2008.
Kerry Livgren
had been practicing with his acoustic guitar, working on a chord progression he had written as a finger exercise. His wife Vicci, happening to hear what he was doing, remarked that the melody was nice and he should write lyrics for it. The result was a short song titled "Dust in the Wind". Livgren was unsure whether his fellow band members would like it, since Kansas was not known for acoustic ballads. However he did offer it to them, and the song was accepted and then recorded.
"Dust In the Wind" was one of Kansas' first acoustic
tracks; its slow melody and philosophical lyrics differ from their other hits such as "Carry On Wayward Son
" and "Magnum Opus". A meditation on mortality and the inevitability of death, the lyrics have a sobering message, for instance late in the song, "Now don't hang on/Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky/It slips away/And all your money won't another minute buy."
The guitar track comes from two guitarists playing six-string guitars in unison, one in standard tuning and the other in Nashville tuning
, to create a chimy sound similar to a twelve-string guitar. The instrumental bridge contains a distinctive melodic line and harmony for violin and viola played by Robby Steinhardt
.
Kansas
also released a live version of the song on their album Two for the Show and a symphonic version on Always Never the Same.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
, first released on their 1977 album Point of Know Return
Point of Know Return
Point of Know Return is the fifth album by American rock band Kansas, released in 1977. The album was reissued in remastered format on CD in 2002.The huge success of Kansas's previous effort, Leftoverture, brought a new kind of pressure...
.
The song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
the week of April 22, 1978, making it Kansas' only top ten Billboard Hot 100 charting single. The 45-rpm single was certified Gold for sales of one million units by the RIAA shortly after the height of its popularity as a hit single. More than 25 years later, the RIAA certified Gold the digital download format of the song, Kansas' only single so certified as of September 17, 2008.
Background and writing
A last-minute addition to the track lineup for Point of Know Return, "Dust In the Wind" would also be its greatest success.Kerry Livgren
Kerry Livgren
Kerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
had been practicing with his acoustic guitar, working on a chord progression he had written as a finger exercise. His wife Vicci, happening to hear what he was doing, remarked that the melody was nice and he should write lyrics for it. The result was a short song titled "Dust in the Wind". Livgren was unsure whether his fellow band members would like it, since Kansas was not known for acoustic ballads. However he did offer it to them, and the song was accepted and then recorded.
"Dust In the Wind" was one of Kansas' first acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
tracks; its slow melody and philosophical lyrics differ from their other hits such as "Carry On Wayward Son
Carry On Wayward Son
"Carry on Wayward Son" is a progressive rock single recorded by Kansas and written by Kerry Livgren for their 1976 album Leftoverture. In 1977, the song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard pop singles chart, becoming their first Top 40 hit....
" and "Magnum Opus". A meditation on mortality and the inevitability of death, the lyrics have a sobering message, for instance late in the song, "Now don't hang on/Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky/It slips away/And all your money won't another minute buy."
The guitar track comes from two guitarists playing six-string guitars in unison, one in standard tuning and the other in Nashville tuning
Nashville tuning (high strung)
Nashville or high strung tuning refers to the practice of replacing the wound E, A, D and G strings on a six-string guitar with lighter gauge strings to allow tuning an octave higher than standard...
, to create a chimy sound similar to a twelve-string guitar. The instrumental bridge contains a distinctive melodic line and harmony for violin and viola played by Robby Steinhardt
Robby Steinhardt
Robert Eugene Steinhardt is a rock violinist and singer best known for his work with the group Kansas, for which he was co-lead singer / "frontman" and emcee along with keyboardist Steve Walsh, from 1973–1982 and 1997–2006...
.
Kansas
Kansas (band)
Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
also released a live version of the song on their album Two for the Show and a symphonic version on Always Never the Same.
Chart performance
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | 6 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 3 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 22 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 36 |
Cover versions
- In 1999, Canadian reggae singer SnowSnow (musician)Darrin O'Brien , better known by his stage name Snow, is a Juno Award-winning Canadian rap and reggae musician. He is best known for his 1992 single "Informer", which reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.-Life and work:...
recorded a reggae version of Dust in the Wind, called Hard Life, on his Cooler ConditionsCooler ConditionsCooler Conditions is the fourth studio album by Canadian reggae musician Snow. Released only in Japan, many of the tracks later appeared on the more widely released Mind on the Moon album...
album. - The Buddy MilesBuddy MilesGeorge Allen Miles, Jr. , known as Buddy Miles, was an American rock and funk drummer, most known as a founding member of The Electric Flag in 1967, then as a member of Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys from 1969 through to January 1970.-Early life:George Allen Miles was born in Omaha, Nebraska on...
Regiment covered "Dust In The Wind" on their 19811981 in musicSee also:* Timeline of musical eventsThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1981.-January–April:*January 10 – A revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance opens at Broadway's Uris Theatre, starring Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith.*January 24 –...
Double LP Sneak AttackSneak Attack (album)Sneak Attack is the name of an album released by the Buddy Miles Regiment in 1981. This band was headed by American rock guitarist and drummer, Buddy Miles...
. - Soprano and Broadway star Sarah BrightmanSarah BrightmanSarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She is famous for possessing a vocal range of over 3 octaves and singing in the whistle register...
covered this song on her 19981998 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
album EdenEden (Sarah Brightman album)Eden is a 1998 album by English soprano Sarah Brightman. It was released under license by Nemo Studios to Angel Records.Like Brightman's later album, La Luna, Eden juxtaposed mostly English pop songs with mostly Italian opera songs. This was a departure from her previous albums which was almost...
. - The American R&B and Neo-soul singer Eric BenétEric BenétEric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
covered "Dust In The Wind" on his 19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
album A Day in the LifeA Day in the Life (Eric Benét album)A Day in the Life is the Platinum-selling second studio album by R&B singer Eric Benét, originally released on April 27, 1999 on Warner Bros. Records. as the second album, A Day in the Life, Eric Benet's follow-up to his debut album, True to Myself...
. - An electronic dance version was released by InterfaceInterface (band)Interface is an electronic music group based on Long Island, New York. It was founded in 1993 by Eric Eldredge . Its career has been lined with a steady output of songs and dance remixes for other artists and several lineup shifts...
in 19991999 in music-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
. - The song was sampled in 1999 by American singer Jordan KnightJordan KnightJordan Nathaniel Marcel Knight is an American singer-songwriter best known as the lead singer in the boy band, New Kids on the Block , and actor, who rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s. He is best known for his distinctive falsetto style of singing, influenced by The Stylistics. After New Kids On...
on his song "Close My Eyes". - The Brazilian singer Paula FernandesPaula FernandesPaula Fernandes is a Brazilian sertanejo and country singer.- Biography :Born in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Paula Fernandes started singing when she was eight years-old, releasing her first album two years later. Her second album, named Voarei, was released in 1995, and was inspired by the Ana...
recorded this song for her same titled album "Dust in the Wind" in 2006. - The ScorpionsScorpions (band)Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
included a live version of "Dust In The Wind" on their 20012001 in musicSee also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
CD AcousticaAcoustica (Scorpions album)Acoustica is a 2001 unplugged album by German heavy metal band Scorpions.Acoustica was recorded during three concerts, at Convento do Beato, Lisbon, Portugal, in February 2001. It was a most unusual set for the band, as Klaus Meine comments on the DVD...
. - MetaliumMetaliumMetalium was a power metal band from Hamburg, Germany. Their style of music was that of the traditional power metal sound which was pioneered in Hamburg by bands such as Helloween and Blind Guardian...
included the song as the bonus track on the Live-CD packaged with their 20012001 in musicSee also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
DVD/Video release titled Metalian Attack. - The American trip hopTrip hopTrip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
group Daughter DarlingDaughter DarlingDaughter Darling are an American trip hop collective, comprising vocalist Natalie Walker and producers Travis and Stephen Fogelman.- History :...
included a cover on their debut album Sweet ShadowsSweet ShadowsSweet Shadows is the debut album from US trip hop group Daughter Darling, released in 2002. The album was nominated "Best CD of 2003" at the Philly music awards.-Track listing:# Broken Bridge – 5:13...
, released in 20022002 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
. - Former New York Yankee center fielder Bernie WilliamsBernie WilliamsBernabé Williams Figueroa Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and Puerto Rican musician.-Early life:...
plays a jazz guitar version on his album titled The Journey WithinThe Journey WithinThe Journey Within is the debut album by Bernie Williams, who at the time of its release was still an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Released on July 15, 2003 through GRP Records, Williams played both lead and rhythm guitar on the album and also composed seven of the album's songs...
released in 20032003 in music-January:* January – following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the Let It Be sessions. Five people are arrested...
. - Female vocalist Chantal Richard included a cover of this song on her 20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
album Ashes to Water. - William JosephWilliam Joseph (musician)William Joseph is a pianist and recording artist from Phoenix, Arizona.William Joseph won, at age 8, a full music scholarship provided by the Boys Club of America, enabling him to study piano with Russian pianist Stella Saperstein....
covers the song on his 20042004 in musicSee also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
album WithinWithin (William Joseph album)Within is the 2004 major-label debut of pianist William Joseph. His music has been compared to both Yanni and George Winston. -Track listing:# "Within" – 3:02# "Eternal" – 4:04# "Stella's Theme" – 3:43# "Butterflies and Hurricanes" – 3:45...
, featuring GarouGarou (singer)Garou , from the French expression "loup-garou", which means "werewolf" and is a transformation of "Garand", his last name; is a Canadian singer from Sherbrooke, Quebec. He is known for his work in the musical Notre-Dame de Paris and the #1 hits "Belle", "Seul", "Sous le vent", and "La Rivière de...
as the lead singer. - Two time Best American DJ award winning duo Gabriel & DresdenGabriel & DresdenGabriel & Dresden is the project name of the DJs and producers Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden from San Francisco. Their popularity and activities were centered in the United States. They won the WMC award as Best American DJ twice in 2007 and 2008, the same day the group split-up...
covered "Dust In The Wind" in their 20062006 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band....
self-titled album Gabriel & DresdenGabriel & Dresden (album)-Production:It is Gabriel & Dresden's first and last self-titled artist album, on their new label Organized Nature. The duo is usually seen remixing songs from rock, pop and alternative bands but Dave Dresden and Josh Gabriel decided to build their own work with Apple's Logic Pro software and music...
, featuring Molly Bancroft as the lead singer. - The SashaSasha LazardDominique "Sasha" Lazard is an American classical crossover singer.Lazard was born in New York and grew up in Paris. She attended Bennington College and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying opera, but after graduation pursued a more electronic-influenced sound inspired by the local...
& Shawna album Siren includes a cover of the song. This album, produced by Peter AsherPeter AsherPeter Asher is an English guitarist, singer, manager and record producer. He first came to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the vocal duo Peter and Gordon before going on to a successful career as a record producer.-Early life:He was born at the Central Middlesex Hospital, a child actor and...
, was released in 20072007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
. - The version by Spanish heavy metalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Mägo de OzMägo de OzMägo de Oz is a Spanish folk/heavy metal band from Begoña, Madrid formed in mid-1988 by drummer Txus di Fellatio. In 1992, the band were finalists in the Villa de Madrid contest. Then, they went onto achieve great success in Spain, and in 1995, were declared Revolution Rock Band...
is called "Pensando en ti" (Thinking about you). It was performed only live and can be heard on their live album FölktergeistFölktergeistFölktergeist is a live album by Mägo de Oz, which was released in 2002.-Disc one:# "Satania"# "Maritornes"# "El que quiera entender que entienda"# "El Santo Grial"# "El Lago"# "Hasta que el cuerpo aguante"# "El Cantar de la Luna Oscura"...
and on the Live DVD A Costa da Rock. A studio version for this song was also included in the El Que Quiera Entender Que Entienda single. - The Chilean punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Los Mox! has recorded a Spanish-language cover called "Polvo en el viento". - Korean singer J covers the song on her album Blue.
- A parody version of "Dust in the Wind" was released by J.B.O.J.B.O.J.B.O. is a heavy metal band from Erlangen, Germany. J.B.O. was founded in 1989 by Vito C. and Hannes "G.Laber" Holzmann and is known for parodies of rock and pop songs...
. - Spirit Drum and Bugle CorpsSpirit Drum and Bugle CorpsSpirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps is a DCI World Class Drum and Bugle corps, currently based out of Atlanta, Georgia.-1970s:...
from Jacksonville, AlabamaJacksonville, AlabamaJacksonville is a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. which is a 49% increase since 2000. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area...
will feature the song in the ballad of their 2009 production, "Live... In Concert - The Music of Kansas." - A parody titled "Dust Up His Nose" (a song about a PCPPhencyclidinePhencyclidine , commonly initialized as PCP and known colloquially as angel dust, is a recreational dissociative drug...
addict), was sung by Larry Rand in 1978 and played often on the Dr. DementoDr. DementoBarret Eugene Hansen , better known as Dr. Demento, is a radio broadcaster and record collector specializing in novelty songs, comedy, and strange or unusual recordings dating from the early days of phonograph records to the present....
Radio Show. - The MuppetsThe MuppetsThe Muppets are a group of puppet characters created by Jim Henson starting in 1954–55. Although the term is often used to refer to any puppet that resembles the distinctive style of The Muppet Show, the term is both an informal name and legal trademark owned by the Walt Disney Company in reference...
' BeakerBeaker (Muppet)Beaker is a Muppet character from The Muppet Show. He is the shy, long-suffering assistant of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, and is likewise named for a piece of laboratory equipment, although his shape more closely resembles an Erlenmeyer flask....
performed a version of the song in a YouTube video. - Kansas ex-lead singer John ElefanteJohn ElefanteJohn Elefante is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer.-Early years:Born in Levittown, New York, his family soon moved to Long Beach, California. Growing up, he sang and performed drums for his family band, the Brotherhood...
(1982–1984) covers "Dust in the Wind" in his 2010 album Revolution Of Mind3 (Mastedon album)3 is the title of the third release from Christian rock band Mastedon. It was released on November 6, 2009, on Italian melodic rock label Frontiers Records.-Track listing:# "Revolution of Mind"# "Slay Your Demons"# "Nowhere Without Your Love"...
with band MastedonMastedonMastedon is the name of a Christian rock band formed by brothers Dino and John Elefante in the mid-80s. The band was formed mainly as a studio project and released two full-length albums and two stand-alone songs on compilation albums.Mastedon have recently signed with Italian label Frontiers...
. It also features the song's author and founding Kansas member Kerry LivgrenKerry LivgrenKerry Allen Livgren is an American musician and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members and primary songwriters for the 1970s progressive rock band, Kansas.-Biography:...
on electric guitar. - In early 2008, 15yo Australian classical-crossover, soprano Grace BawdenGrace BawdenGrace Bawden is an Australian classical crossover singer, who has been dubbed "Australia's greatest operatic discovery", after becoming the Judge's Choice Grand Finalist on the TV talent show Australia's Got Talent in 2008...
recorded her version. This track was included on her debut album, Gifts of Grace, released in September 2009. - The song is featured in the movie "The Beach" during the funeral scene after the shark attack.
- HaggardHaggardHaggard means worn out and exhausted because of suffering.Haggard may also refer to:* Haggard * Haggard , a German symphonic metal group* Haggard , a British comedy television series...
also uses the harmony solo of the song, in their song, "The Observer"