“Carry On Wayward Son” is a single recorded by Kansas and written by Kerry Livgren for their 1976 album Leftoverture. In 1977, the song peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first top 20 entry in the nation. The song was certified Gold by the RIAA on December 18, 1990.
“Carry on my wayward son
For there’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more”
The 7-inch single was certified gold by the RIAA. This version was a much shorter version of the song, edited down to 3:26, a version that was also the band’s only single to chart in the UK, reaching No. 51 there. All initial releases of the single had a B-side of “Questions of My Childhood”. The song was later re-released on all Kansas compilation albums (except for Works in Progress) and all Kansas live albums. The song is now certified quadruple platinum.
The iconic track is 96th on VH1’s 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs.
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