Complete List Of Kansas Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Kansas, the American rock band rooted in Topeka, Kansas, began as a fusion of local musicians combining their talents in the early 1970s. The lineup that would become the definitive version of Kansas solidified in 1973 and included Kerry Livgren, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh, Rich Williams, Dave Hope, and Phil Ehart. Their blend of complex symphonic structures, progressive rock influences, and hard rock sensibilities quickly set them apart in a crowded field. They were signed to Don Kirshner’s label after a demo caught his attention, and their self-titled debut album was released in 1974. That album laid the groundwork for their intricate arrangements and philosophical lyricism, but it was the albums that followed that elevated Kansas into rock history.

By 1976, Kansas reached mainstream success with the release of Leftoverture, their fourth studio album. That album featured “Carry On Wayward Son,” which would become their signature track and one of the most recognizable rock songs of the decade. The momentum continued with 1977’s Point of Know Return, an album that included “Dust in the Wind,” a stark acoustic ballad that proved the band’s range extended far beyond high-energy anthems. The band consistently charted during the late 1970s, selling millions of records and performing in packed arenas across the United States and beyond.

Over the course of their career, Kansas has released 16 studio albums, beginning with Kansas in 1974 and most recently The Absence of Presence in 2020. In addition to their studio output, their catalog includes multiple live albums, compilations, and reissues. Albums like Monolith (1979), Audio-Visions (1980), and Vinyl Confessions (1982) kept the band visible through shifts in the musical landscape, though they underwent several lineup changes during the 1980s and 1990s. Vocalist Steve Walsh departed and returned multiple times, while violinist and co-lead singer Robby Steinhardt eventually left the band permanently. Despite these changes, founding members like Phil Ehart and Rich Williams helped maintain the band’s continuity and spirit.

Their commercial success is measured in gold and platinum records. Kansas has achieved nine gold albums, three multi-platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, and Best of Kansas), and a platinum-certified live album. “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” both achieved RIAA digital gold certification decades after their original release, a testament to their ongoing popularity in the digital age. In 1995, “Carry On Wayward Son” was reported as the second-most played song on U.S. classic rock radio and became the most-played by 1997. That same year, the band was honored with induction into the Hollywood RockWalk, joining a roster of iconic artists recognized for their influence and legacy.

Kansas has also earned recognition for contributions outside the commercial and performance spheres. In 1978, they were appointed as Deputy Ambassadors of Goodwill by UNICEF, reflecting their global visibility and charitable spirit. The band’s work extended into fundraising and awareness campaigns, using their platform to support humanitarian efforts. Their connection to broader causes added a layer of cultural relevance that went beyond their music.

The loyalty of Kansas’s fanbase can be traced not only to their musical complexity and compelling stage performances but also to the sincerity embedded in their lyrics. Songs often grappled with philosophical and existential themes, elevating them beyond standard rock fare and creating deep emotional connections with listeners. Whether through the spiritual overtones of “The Wall,” the reflective sorrow of “Dust in the Wind,” or the triumphant resolve in “Carry On Wayward Son,” Kansas managed to capture and convey the internal struggles of a generation.

More than five decades after their formation, Kansas continues to record, tour, and evolve. Their recent studio albums show no signs of creative fatigue, and their live shows consistently sell out as longtime fans and new listeners alike are drawn to the enduring power of their music. The band’s longevity is not just a result of nostalgia, but of the profound resonance they’ve cultivated through disciplined musicianship, meaningful lyrics, and an unwavering commitment to artistic integrity.

Complete List Of Kansas Songs From A to Z

Absence of Presence, The – The Absence of Presence – 2020
All I Wanted – Power – 1986
All the World – Masque – 1975
Andi – Drastic Measures – 1983
Angels Have Fallen – Monolith – 1979
Animals on the Roof – The Absence of Presence – 2020
Anything for You – Audio-Visions – 1980
Aperçu – Kansas – 1974
Away from You – Monolith – 1979
Back Door – Audio-Visions – 1980
Bells of Saint James – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Belexes – Kansas – 1974
Black Fathom 4 – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Borderline – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Bringing It Back – Kansas – 1974
Bringing It Back (Live) – Kansas (2004 CD reissue) – 1974
Byzantium – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Camouflage – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Can I Tell You – Kansas – 1974
Can’t Cry Anymore – Power – 1986
Carry On Wayward Son – Leftoverture – 1976
Carry On Wayward Son (Live) – Leftoverture (2001 CD reissue) – 1976
Chasing Shadows – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Cheyenne Anthem – Leftoverture – 1976
Cheyenne Anthem (Live) – Leftoverture (2001 CD reissue) – 1976
Cheyenne Anthem (Orchestral) – Always Never the Same – 1998
Child of Innocence – Masque – 1975
Child of Innocence (Band rehearsal) – Masque (2001 CD reissue) – 1975
Circus of Illusion – The Absence of Presence – 2020
Closet Chronicles – Point of Know Return – 1977
Cold Grey Morning – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Coming Dawn, The (Thanatopsis) – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Counted on Love, I – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Crossfire – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Crowded Isolation – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Curtain of Iron – Audio-Visions – 1980
Death of Mother Nature Suite – Kansas – 1974
Desperate Times – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Devil Game, The – Song for America – 1975
Diamonds and Pearls – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Disappearing Skin Tight Blues – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Distant Vision – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Don’t Open Your Eyes – Audio-Visions – 1980
Don’t Take Your Love Away – Drastic Measures – 1983
Down the Road – Song for America – 1975
Down the Road (Live) – Song for America (2004 CD reissue) – 1975
Dust in the Wind – Point of Know Return – 1977
Dust in the Wind (Orchestral) – Always Never the Same – 1998
Eleanor Rigby – Always Never the Same – 1998
End of the Age – Drastic Measures – 1983
Everybody’s My Friend – Drastic Measures – 1983
Face It – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Fair Exchange – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Fight Fire with Fire – Drastic Measures – 1983
Freaks of Nature – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Geodesic Dome – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Get Rich – Drastic Measures – 1983
Ghosts – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Glimpse of Home, A – Monolith – 1979
Going Through the Motions – Drastic Measures – 1983
Got to Rock On – Audio-Visions – 1980
Grand Fun Alley – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Hold On – Audio-Visions – 1980
Hold On (Orchestral) – Always Never the Same – 1998
Home on the Range – The Prelude Implicit (Deluxe Edition) – 2016
Hope Once Again – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Hopelessly Human – Point of Know Return – 1977
House on Fire – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
How My Soul Cries Out for You – Monolith – 1979
I Can Fly – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Icarus – Borne on Wings of Steel – Masque – 1975
Icarus II – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
In Your Eyes – Always Never the Same – 1998
Incident on a Bridge – Drastic Measures – 1983
Incomudro – Hymn to the Atman – Song for America – 1975
Incomudro – Hymn to the Atman (Live) – Song for America (2011 Japan reissue) – 1975
Inside of Me – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
It Takes a Woman’s Love (To Make a Man) – Masque – 1975
It’s You – Masque – 1975
It’s You (Demo) – Masque (2001 CD reissue) – 1975
Jets Overhead – The Absence of Presence – 2020
Journey from Mariabronn – Kansas – 1974
Lamplight Symphony – Song for America – 1975
Lightning’s Hand – Point of Know Return – 1977
Loner – Audio-Visions – 1980
Lonely Street – Song for America – 1975
Lonely Wind – Kansas – 1974
Look at the Time – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Magnum Opus – Leftoverture – 1976
Mainstream – Drastic Measures – 1983
Memories Down the Line – The Absence of Presence – 2020
Miracles out of Nowhere – Leftoverture – 1976
Miracles out of Nowhere (Orchestral) – Always Never the Same – 1998
Musicatto – Power – 1986
Mysteries and Mayhem – Masque – 1975
Myriad – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Need – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Need to Know – Always Never the Same – 1998
Never – The Absence of Presence – 2020
No One Together – Audio-Visions – 1980
No Room for a Stranger – Audio-Visions – 1980
Nobody’s Home – Point of Know Return – 1977
Nobody’s Home (Orchestral) – Always Never the Same – 1998
Not Man Big – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Oh Shenandoah – The Prelude Implicit (Deluxe Edition) – 2016
On the Other Side – Monolith – 1979
On the Other Side (Live) – Monolith (2011 Japanese import) – 1979
Once in a Lifetime – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
One Big Sky – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
One Man, One Heart – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Opus Insert – Leftoverture – 1976
Paradox – Point of Know Return – 1977
Peaceful and Warm – Freaks of Nature – 1995
People of the South Wind – Monolith – 1979
Pilgrimage, The – Kansas – 1974
Pinnacle, The – Masque – 1975
Play On – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Play the Game Tonight – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Point of Know Return – Point of Know Return – 1977
Portrait (He Knew) – Point of Know Return – 1977
Portrait (He Knew) (Remix) – Point of Know Return (2002 CD reissue) – 1977
Power – Power – 1986
Preamble – Always Never the Same – 1998
Preacher, The – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Prelude & Introduction – Always Never the Same – 1998
Propulsion 1 – The Absence of Presence – 2020
Questions of My Childhood – Leftoverture – 1976
Rainmaker – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Reason to Be – Monolith – 1979
Refugee – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Relentless – Audio-Visions – 1980
Rhythm in the Spirit – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Right Away – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
Secret Service – Power – 1986
Section 60 – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Silhouettes in Disguise – Power – 1986
Sky Is Falling, The – Always Never the Same – 1998
Song for America – Song for America – 1975
Song for America (Orchestral) – Always Never the Same – 1998
Song for America (Single edit) – Song for America (2004 CD reissue) – 1975
Song the River Sang, The – The Absence of Presence – 2020
Sparks of the Tempest – Point of Know Return – 1977
Sparks of the Tempest (Live) – Point of Know Return (2002 CD reissue) – 1977
Spider, The – Point of Know Return – 1977
Stand Beside Me – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Stay Out of Trouble – Monolith – 1979
Summer – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
T.O. Witcher – In the Spirit of Things – 1988
Taking In the View – Power – 1986
Three Pretenders – Power – 1986
Throwing Mountains – The Absence of Presence – 2020
Tomb 19 – Power – 1986
Two Cents Worth – Masque – 1975
Under the Knife – Freaks of Nature – 1995
Unsung Heroes, The – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Visibility Zero – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Voyage of Eight Eighteen, The – The Prelude Implicit – 2016
Wall, The – Leftoverture – 1976
Wall, The (Orchestral) – Always Never the Same – 1998
We’re Not Alone Anymore – Power – 1986
What’s on My Mind – Leftoverture – 1976
When the World Was Young – Somewhere to Elsewhere – 2000
Windows – Vinyl Confessions – 1982
With This Heart – The Prelude Implicit – 2016