"Carry On Wayward Son" is a song by American rock band Kansas, released on their 1976 studio album, Leftoverture.

Written by guitarist Kerry Livgren, the song became the band's first Top 40 hit, reaching No.

[5] While Kansas' previous three albums had split songwriting duties between lead vocalist Steve Walsh and band member Kerry Livgren, the latter essentially provided all the material for the band's fourth album release, Leftoverture.

"[6] Although based in Atlanta, Georgia, Kansas had returned to its Topeka, Kansas, home town to work up material for what would be the Leftoverture album, the band rehearsing in a vacant store in a strip mall the material Livgren was working up on a Lowrey organ at his parents' home where he was staying.

[11] Drummer Phil Ehart recalled that Livgren mentioned a new song as Kansas was packing up to leave Topeka for Studio in the Country, the Louisiana facility where Leftoverture was recorded from December 1975, with Livgren presenting "Carry On Wayward Son" to his bandmates only after they had reached the studio.

"[13] Kansas' other guitarist Rich Williams indicated in 2004 that the success of "Carry On Wayward Son" was not a total surprise to the band: "As far as knowing what a hit was, we didn't have any idea.

86 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 25, 1976,[18] "Carry On Wayward Son" reached the Top 40 — at No.

It was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of 500,000 units on December 18, 1990, and reached quadruple platinum, or 4 million, on November 26, 2019.

[27] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Eduardo Rivadavia rated "Carry On Wayward Son" as Kansas's greatest song, saying it "combines their progressive and commercial instincts" and "fluidly shifts between studied technique and an infectious melody, culminating in a soaring chorus.

"[28] Classic Rock critic Dave Ling also ranked it as Kansas' greatest song.