This song was written in 1978, by Tommy Shaw. He has stated in interviews that was a song that just came to him one day, fully formed. Originally he wrote it on piano, and it was very different than how it came to be recorded. The a capella opening was originally three-part harmony, and the song itself was a lot slower, more dirge-like. James "JY" Young originally hated the song. However, as the band re-worked it, he came to love it so much that he asked Tommy if he could play the lead guitar solo. As far as troubles with the law, Tommy has stated that he never has had any issues with the law; the song just came to him as fictional storytelling. Since 2002, "Renegade" has been the rallying anthem of the Pittsburg Steelers.
This song was written in 1978, by Tommy Shaw. He has stated in interviews that was a song that just came to him one day, fully formed. Originally he wrote it on piano, and it was very different than how it came to be recorded. The a capella opening was originally three-part harmony, and the song itself was a lot slower, more dirge-like. James "JY" Young originally hated the song. However, as the band re-worked it, he came to love it so much that he asked Tommy if he could play the lead guitar solo. As far as troubles with the law, Tommy has stated that he never has had any issues with the law; the song just came to him as fictional storytelling. Since 2002, "Renegade" has been the rallying anthem of the Pittsburg Steelers.