During the late '70s and early '80s, Chicago quintet Styx reigned as one of the most popular bands in America. However, during that time, the band had gradually shifted from a progressive rock band to a pop-friendly, arena-rock outfit. While the metamporphasis did wonders for their profile on mainstream pop radio and helped their album sales, it also splintered the band into factions.

The division between the bandmates over the direction of the band had reached a head during 1983 and Styx' tour to support their Kilroy Was here album. Although the album was a multi-platinum, Top Ten hit and had spawned a pair of Top Ten singles including "Mr. Roboto," the tour had been critically panned.

In the wake of the tour, the band went on hiatus (and would not record in their most-successful incarnation again as lead singer Dennis DeYoung would depart). In lieu of a new material, 1984 saw the release of a live album, Caught In The Act, which included one new, studio recording, "Music Time."

The keyboard-heavy "Music Time" seemed to be a reaction to the New Wave sound which was finding so much favor at radio and in the soaring popularity of MTV. The manic song was a further departure from the sound that had earned Styx millions of loyal fans. Released as a single to promote Caught In The Act, the song became the band's 14th US Top 40 hit as it logged two weeks at #40 in June. It would prove to be Styx' final hit with DeYoung singing lead, signaling the end of Styx' days a musical force on American radio.

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