Point Of Know Return – Kansas | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#28); 1978
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
The first edition of Kansas was formed in 1970 by three Topeka friends who’d met in high school. A year later they became White Clover. Various musicians came and went before the membership settled on a final six and a name change back to Kansas.
Despite the solid Midwest American name – and a prominent country-styled violin – the sextet was heavily influenced by British progressive rock. That approach lasted through several albums, reaching its peak on Leftoverture, which went multi-platinum on the strength of the radio-friendly Carry On Wayward Son.
1977’s Point Of Know Return marked a move in a more commercial direction. Gone were the Magnum Opus‘s of Leftoverture, replaced by tracks that packed Kansas’ trademark blend of rock, country, and classical elements into concise, classic rock masterpieces, such as Point Of Know Return and Dust In The Wind.
The band’s “arrival” was confirmed in July of 1978 when UNICEF named Kansas Deputy Ambassadors Of Goodwill.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Jeff Glixman
Lyrics Written by:
- Steve Walsh
- Robby Steinhardt
- Phil Ehart
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).