Kansas are the great American progressive rock band — the one that fused the ambition of British prog with a heartland, arena-sized sound entirely their own. Formed in Topeka in 1973 and powered by the songwriting of Kerry Livgren, the twin voices of Steve Walsh and violinist Robby Steinhardt, and one of rock’s tightest bands, they turned complex, symphonic songs into stadium anthems. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Carry On Wayward Son”, “Dust in the Wind”, “Song for America” and “Magnum Opus” — their immortal signature anthem, the acoustic ballad that became a classic-rock hymn, a ten-minute prog epic, and the dazzling five-part suite that closes Leftoverture. The full ranking is below.

America’s great progressive rock band

Since forming in Topeka, Kansas, in 1973, they have stood apart as the most successful and ambitious of America’s progressive rock bands. Where their British heroes in Yes and Genesis dealt in fantasy and pastoral suites, Kansas married that complexity to a muscular, guitar-and-violin sound rooted in the American Midwest. The classic lineup — singer-keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist and chief songwriter Kerry Livgren, the late violinist and co-vocalist Robby Steinhardt, guitarist Rich Williams, bassist Dave Hope and drummer Phil Ehart — produced a run of albums in the 1970s, from the debut Kansas to Leftoverture and Point of Know Return, that sold in the millions without ever abandoning their prog ambitions. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing melody, ambition, musicianship and lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Carry On Wayward Son” (1976), the greatest single Kansas ever cut and one of the defining anthems of American rock. With it: “Dust in the Wind” (1977), the fingerpicked acoustic meditation that became a classic-rock hymn; “Song for America” (1975), a soaring ten-minute epic; “Point of Know Return” (1977), the urgent, violin-driven title-track hit; “Magnum Opus” (1976), the dazzling five-part instrumental suite that closes Leftoverture; and “The Wall” (1976), their most beloved ballad.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Icarus – Borne on Wings of Steel” (1975) is a thrilling prog showpiece; “Portrait (He Knew)” (1977) is a dramatic, keyboard-led highlight and live staple; “Miracles Out of Nowhere” (1976) is a sweeping fan favourite; “Cheyenne Anthem” (1976) is an ambitious, big-hearted epic; and “Hold On” (1980) is a gorgeous, radio-ready ballad.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “Journey from Mariabronn” (1974) is an early, adventurous epic from their debut; “Hopelessly Human” (1977) is the last of the great 1970s Kansas epics; “People of the South Wind” (1979) is a punchy, hook-filled single; and “The Absence of Presence” (2020) proves the modern band can still deliver a widescreen prog title track.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with the two towering classics, Leftoverture (1976) and Point of Know Return (1977), which hold most of their best-known songs. From there, explore the proggier early records Song for America and Masque (both 1975) and the debut Kansas, then dip into the polished Monolith and the recent The Absence of Presence.

The players

For all their personnel changes, Kansas will always be defined by their classic 1970s lineup: singer and keyboardist Steve Walsh, guitarist and principal songwriter Kerry Livgren, the late violinist and co-vocalist Robby Steinhardt, who died in 2021, guitarist Rich Williams, bassist Dave Hope and drummer Phil Ehart. Steinhardt’s soaring violin gave the band a sound no American peer could match. Williams and Ehart have anchored the group without a break, and today lead a lineup fronted by singer Ronnie Platt, with violinist Joe Deninzon carrying on the tradition.

Why they still matter

Kansas proved that progressive rock could be born in the American heartland, not only in the art-school clubs of England, and that intricate, seven-minute suites could fill arenas. Their influence runs through generations of American prog and prog-metal bands, from Dream Theater onward, and songs like “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” remain radio staples decades later. Still touring and still recording, Kansas carry one of the richest catalogues in American rock.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Kansas albums, or place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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