"Love Is the Ritual" is the first single released from Edge of the Century

Edge of the Century

Edge of the Century is the twelfth studio album by Styx, released in 1990. It was the first Styx album featuring A&M solo artist Glen Burtnik, the only album to feature the Dennis DeYoung/James Young/Glen Burtnik/Chuck Panozzo/John Panozzo lineup, and the last album to feature John Panozzo on drums...

by Styx

Styx (band)

Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....

. It was written by and features the lead vocals of Glen Burtnik, who had been recruited by the band to take the place of Tommy Shaw

Tommy Shaw

Tommy Roland Shaw is an American guitarist, best known for his work with the rock band Styx. In between his stints with Styx, he has played with the supergroup Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades, and has released several solo albums....

. Shaw was at that time busy as a member of the group Damn Yankees

Damn Yankees (band)

Damn Yankees was an American hard rock supergroup.-History:The band was formed in 1989, consisting of Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Ted Nugent of The Amboy Dukes and a successful solo career, and Michael Cartellone...

. It was a major disappointment on the charts only peaking at #80 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles chart but fared better on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart peaking at #9.

Burtnik had recorded the track before he was offered a position with Styx in anticipation of using it for his third solo album. During recording sessions as Styx, the original track's backing vocals and drums were re-recorded.http://www.aor.nu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=79&Itemid=117 Burtnik's original version was later released on his compilation album Retrospectable.

Track listing

7"

1. "Love Is the Ritual"
2. "Homewrecker"

12" picture disc

1. "Love Is the Ritual"
2. "Homewrecker"
3. "Babe"