The dream of seven guys began on February 15, 1967. Thirty-nine years later, they’ve come to enjoy 20 Top Ten singles, 12 Top Ten albums (five were #1), and record sales of more than 120 million.
The original Chicago musicians were Peter Cetera (bass, guitar, vocals), Terry Kath (guitar, vocals), Robert Lamm (pianos, keyboards, percussion, vocals), Lee Loughnane (trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet, guitar, percussion, vocals), James Pankow (trombone, percussion, vocals), Walter Parazaider (saxophones, flute, clarinet) and Danny Seraphim (drums, percussion).
Through their creative talents, one of the best-loved and most successful bands in rock history has brought diversity into the musical world and we love them for it. They are known for being one of the first rock bands to make extensive use of horns in their music, as part of their diversity. All together they’ve put out 29 albums, 2 boxed sets and 7 imports.
The group now consists of eight members, of which only four are of the original band: Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walt Parazaider, Tris Imboden, Jason Scheff, Keith Howland and Bill Champlin. (Terry Kath met with accidental death in 1978 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 31. Peter Cetera left the band in 1985. Danny Seraphim left the band in 1991.)
The rock ‘n’ roll hits and beautiful love songs captured the hearts of millions and still have us in their grip today. My top ten songs are from the classics Chicago songs. Album names are in parenthesis.
1. You’re the Inspiration (Chicago 17) was arranged by Peter Cetera and David Foster. It’s a beautiful evergreen song that has stood the test of time and remains #1 to many Chicago fans, such as myself. “You’re the meaning in my life. You’re the inspiration. You bring feeling to my life. You’re the inspiration”
2. Once in a Lifetime (Chicago 17) was arranged by Jimmy Pankow and David Foster. This song captures the essence of a newly realized love from a trusted friendship. “You were there for me. I was there for you. We were meant to be. Now we’re fallin’ in love, finally fallin’ in love.”
3. I don’t wanna live without your love (Chicago 19) is a ballad for lovers going through difficult times. “I don’t wanna love nobody else. I don’t wanna find somebody new. I don’t wanna live without your love. I just wanna live my life with you.
4. If you leave me now (Chicago X) was written and sung by Peter Cetera. It topped the charts in the US, Britain and Australia. The guitar accompaniment is a beautiful addition to the lyrics, which tell of a quarrelling couple. “If you leave me now, you’ll take away the biggest part of me. No baby please don’t go. If you leave me now, you’ll take away the very heart of me. No baby please don’t go.”
5. Hard to say I’m sorry (Chicago 16) was another creation of Cetera’s. Lovers go through times when they hurt each other and very often find it difficult to be the first to apologize. “Hold me now. It’s hard for me to say I’m sorry. I just want you to know. Hold me now. I really want to tell you I’m sorry. I could never let you go.”
6. Baby what a big surprise (Chicago XI) also had its lyrics written by Cetera. He sang the soulful words about being surprised as to where he found love, when she was right before him the entire time. “Baby what a big surprise. Right before my very eyes. Yesterday it seemed to me my life was nothing more than wasting time. But here today you slowly changed my mind.”
7. Look Away (Chicago 19) focuses on a lover lost to another. “Well, you called me up this morning, told me ’bout the new love that you found. Said, “I’m happy for you. I’m really happy for you. Found someone else, I guess I won’t be coming ’round. I guess it’s over, baby. It’s really over, baby.”
8. Color My World (Chicago II) is sung sweetly in the vocals of James Pankow. “Now that you’re near,
promise your love that I’ve waited to share. And dreams of our moments together. Color my world with hope of loving you.”
9. I’ve been searching so long (Chicago VII) is a soul-searching song and how things in life don’t always stay the same. “As my life goes on I believe somehow something’s changed; something deep inside. There’s a strange new light in my eyes. Things I’ve never known, changin’ my life, changin’ me.”
10. Wishing you were here (Chicago VII) tells us that life on the road can be taxing on the traveler. Shows every night, sleeping in hotels without one’s lover, and missing them. Same old show in a different town on another time. Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here. Even though you’re far away, you’re on my mind. Ooo ooo ooo, wishing you were here.”
And those are my top ten songs by Chicago!
