You have NOT seen every side of Chicago until you've experienced one of their mid-70's, super smooth ballads like "If You Leave Me Now" or "Wishing You Were Here"!! The instrumentation is absolutely exquisite.
Chicago is one of those bands that you hear song and say "I LOVE that song!" and then you say" THAT was Chicago?!" So many different songs. So many GREAT songs!
Chicago 19 has A LOT of their best music post-Peter Cetera. "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love," "You're Not Alone," "What Kind of Man Would I Be?," "We Can Last Forever" and the other singles from the album. It also has some of the best deep cuts they produced in the 80s, including "Victorious," "Heart in Pieces" and "I Stand Up." It's one of my all-time favorite Chicago albums.
Yes totally agree. The following album "twenty 1" from -91 is probably their most underrated work. What i never will understand though is why they replaced "Secrets of the heart".
I`m glad you both have finally gotten around to reacting to this video...I worked in the Bodyguard/Protective services field for many, many years...So when this video was being filmed here in New York, the director and the lead singer ( Bill Champlin - he has the white vest on) asked if I would like to be in the video...We did about 10 takes and after the editing, I'm in a small part at the end of the video in the elevator...I was 27 years old then and a lot heavier...I`m 62 years old now...Time flies....We had to travel all over New York to a lot of locations for protection for everyone in the video...1988.
EIght songs into Chicago's discography, and you're just gettin' started! Try "Questions 67 and 68", "Just You 'n Me", or "If You Leave Me Now" if you want to go back to their 70s stuff. For their 80s hits, you have yet to do "Love Me Tomorrow", "Stay the Night", or "Hard Habit to Break".
Oh, “Questions 67 and 68” is soooo good. One of my favorites. It has everything. Huge horns and Terry Kath riffing all over the place. Just a massive declaration of love.
Bill Champlin was the lead vocalist on this song. Other songs that feature him on vocals are 'Hard Habit To Break' and 'You're Not Alone' (my favorite).
I personally wasn't crazy about later Chicago. They seemed to get away from the horns. They're still a great band! I love "25 or 6 to 4" both versions!
This was the second era of Chicago after Terry Kath’s very untimely death. The singer on this is the great Bill Champlin who is one of the nicest and funniest people I’ve ever had pleasure to interview. He had his own group in the late 60s to late 70s The Sons of Champlin. They were a hippie/soul/funk band from Marin County just north of San Francisco. You should check out “Get High” or “Follow Your Heart” or “Hold On”. Thanks A&J!
LUCKY YOU!!👏👏 Love Sons.Of Champlin's music. I found out about them 1982 when he joined Chicago. I was surprised that I knew his music before then. I found out when I was researching who he was when I bought Chicago 16, that he co-wrote "After The Love Has Gone."
Hard Habit To Break, Look Away, If She Would Have Been Faithful, And You're Not Alone are from the tear jerker phase - great tunes, lyrics, and vocal deliveries. If you haven't done a lot of earliest Chicago, don't just listen to the hits on the Chicago Transit Authority initial double album, listen to cuts like "Introduction", "Listen", "Question 67 & 68", and "Someday"
This is the number 1 song of 1989 US Billboard Hot 100... And i think this is their only number one single after Peter Cetera left Chicago, and their last one as well... Anyway, nice reaction, haha, i do hope you react to their more of their songs like "Stay the Night", "If She Would Have Been Faithful", "Will You Still Love Me", "Along Comes a Woman" and many more..❤️
Jason Scheff was such a great addition after Peter Cetera left for a solo career. But I think Chicago as 3 different sounds, the Chicago with Terry Kath, The P. Cetera led Chicago and Scheff as lead sing led Chicago. They all have their own unique style that makes them all great!!!
Let's not forget Robert Lamm, the original main singer and still with the band. From the first album to "Saturday in the Park" to today. And this isn't even Jason Scheff; it's Bill Champlin, as others have noted. So that's FIVE lead singers.
He said in the lyrics, “we both agreed as lovers, we were better off as friends” then later said he didn’t expect to be replaced so soon! So while they mutually ended the relationship, he was still holding onto some feelings but she’d moved on faster than expected! I love this song! ❤❤
I'm 49 and grew up listening to Chicago, and they happen to be in the top 3 best selling American bands of all time, along with The Eagles and The Beach Boys. Chicago made a countless number of amazing songs! Cheers from northeast Ohio.
Consider yourselves lucky as you are discovering Chicago with fresh ears. This way you can appreciate their sound as a whole. They cover so many genres. Thwts the best part. Chicago fans are divided. Those who love the early 70s Chicago for the most part dislike 80s/90s Chicago. 2 totally different sounds but still great music in my opinion. This is why they are the best. If you want jazz rock, psycadleic rock, pop, Avant garde, power ballads, synth pop, intricate instrumentals, Christmas music dammm Chicago does it all. They are to be celebrated
I love both their 70's & early 80's stuff--just hated when they dropped the emphasis on horns. That was what really made them special & tied it all together for me!
Good to see you back on Chicago. There are two distinct eras for them. This was phase 2. Other great tunes from this era: Love Me Tomorrow, Hard Habit To Break, Will You Still Love Me, If She Would've Been Faithful, I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love, What Kind Of Man Would I Be. All 🔥 🎶
This is from the album Chicago 19. Every song in that album was awesome! Great power ballads "Look Away" "What Kind of Man Would I Be?" "Victorious" and "We Can Last Forever" were all major hits for them and solidified their hold on the 80's charts as major rock power ballad groups. Chicago 17, 18, 19, and 21 ( Chicago 20 was a greatest hits album) had outstanding rock ballads and was an era of Chicago I quite like though others may not. But the 60's through 70's Chicago is also quite good with many groovy songs. They have several outstanding Christmas albums and have released albums up to the present. A near 60 year career. Pretty darn awesome! Because they have persevered in the industry they did what all good bands had to do to stay alive, they adapted their unique signature sound to the current trends of the era, but unlike most , they did not compromise what made them Chicago- horns, melodies, harmonies, and musicianship. This is a different kind of Chicago, it was 80' s Chicago. Every but as good as the 60's, 70's, 90''s and 2000's.
"Look Away" is written by Diane Warren with Bill Champlin on lead vocals. The song is the band's only No. 1 single following the 1985 departure of Peter Cetera. Chicago's manager Howard Kaufman suggested that the band bring in outside songwriting help. Kaufman recommended Diane Warren and producer Ron Nevison, who had worked with Heart on the number one hits "These Dreams" and "Alone. Warren wrote "Look Away" from the man's perspective. It featured Bill Champlin on lead vocals and furthered Chicago's shift towards de-emphasizing the band's brass section compared to their earlier years. With Peter Cetera having left the group and "making his own records, it was good for us to release some songs with a different sound like Bill's voice. Then we wouldn't be saturating radio with Chicago-sounding songs."
This album, Chicago 18, was the follow up to the very successful Chicago 17. It was the first album without lead singer and bass player Peter Cetera. The legend which is David Foster wrote many of the songs on this album and produced it as well. This would be his last album with the band and arguably the last successful "commercial" album the group would produce as both Foster and Cetera went on to have sucessful solo careers. Us lifelong Chicago fans still love the band no matter if they make chart toppers or not! Thank you!
OMG - I haven't heard this song in forever. You forget how many good ones they have. Can you pretty please do Will You Still Love Me for your next Chicago song??? It is just one of my top favourite ballads of ALL time. Still gives me chills and makes me emotional after so many years. Amber - you'll melt out of you chair girl - I promise. Peter Cetera also has an AMAZING duet with Amy Grant called Next Time I Fall. Very well worth a listen.
You see that's the thing though. Chicago form before I was ever born and my introduction was the Peter Cetera era and I heard a little bit of the earlier stuff. Once I got hooked I started listening to everything I could from start to finish. This is why I love all forms of Chicago because they all bring some commonalities that are completely Chicago and then some different things with the changes in the voices of the lead singers.
"Look Away" is a 1988 power ballad by American rock band Chicago. Written by Diane Warren, produced by Ron Nevison, and with Bill Champlin on lead vocals. Strangely it just doesn't quite sound like the Chicago I know!
This was one of their last hits in the late 80’s when Peter Cetera left for a solo career and when they just weren’t the same group any longer. Their 70’s songs are definitely more rock with brass. The 80’s are synth driven pop with brass. One of the best songs is from their 2nd album, a ballad called Colour my World with an amazing flute solo. Terry Kath on lead vocals. Great song to use for Valentine’s Day. It was a wedding staple when released.
Wow. This song brings me back to when I was a Freshman in high school in 1988. It's a great song and it was Billboard's number one song of the year on the pop chart for 1989. I was too young to listen to Chicago in the 70's, even when Peter Cetera joined the band in 1976. I started listening to them in the early to mid 80's when Peter Cetera was still the lead singer and songs like "You're The Inspiration" were extremely popular. I did like the new lead singer of Chicago though after Peter Cetera left the band in 1986 to go solo. The band went in a new and even better direction. "Look Away" was only one of many great songs from that era. The first song released from Chicago with the new lead singer in 1986 was "Will You Still Love Me" which I hope you two will react to. It's a beautiful song.
Peter Cetera was the last of the original 7 to join Chicago, but he did not join them in 1976. He is one of the lead singers starting on CTA- their first album…
If she wouldve been faithful is so incredible. Check that one out. The meaning behind it was so profound to me. just an incredible song. having said that, this is one of my top 5 Chicago songs
I've cried over this song.a lot. As,well as Hard Habit to Break and I Don't.Wanna Live Without Your Love. I've put my pour heart through a lot. That's how powerful these songs are. I'm into sad songs anyway. I'm unique that way.
When the group were struggling to sign with another record label, some were willing to sign them but without the horn section. Chicago's sax player Walt Parazaider said, "It was like taking the piano away from Elton John, it doesn't happen." I could understand why labels wanted to do that since most of their success in the 80s were done without the horn section. This 1988 Number 1 showed why. Lead vocalist of 'Look Away' is Bill Champlin who joined the group in the early 80s to compliment Peter Cetera's voice. It worked when they'd hit with songs such as 'Hard Habit to Break', If I'm not mistaken, this was Chicago's last number one hit written by one of the best songwriters of our generation in Diane Warren.
okay Chicago lead singer was Peter Cetera early on; when he went solo he did a duet wit Amy Grant. They sang "The Next Time I Fall", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for best vocal performance by a pop duo or group. If your asking about Amy, she did Contemporary Christian, pop rock, soft rock. gospel. Amy, as of 2009 she had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide,[3] won six Grammy Awards, 22 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and had the first Christian album to go platinum. The song two songs I remember from her has "Baby Baby" a huge pop hit and also " El shaddai" which is a great gospel song.
To appreciate Chicago, you should go back to their double album in 1969, when they were known as the Chicago Transit Authority. They were a ground breaking band with their sound, Rock fused with soul and jazz. Some songs to consider "I'm a Man", "Beginnings", "Colour My World", "Make Me Smile", "Old School", "Wishing You Were Here", "Just You 'N' Me", "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long", "Love Me Tomorrow" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry-Get Away" are a few great songs by Chicago.
The Chicago sound changed in the 80’s and 90’s after Terry Kath died. In the 80’s they started working with David Foster and the big horn sound was pushed more into the background. Some songs like this didn’t even have horns in them. They started putting out more power ballads.
Amber - 25 or 6 to 4 (“25 or 26 minutes until 4am”), which is the time it was when songster Robert Lamm looked down at his watch while writing it. Hope this helps you remember the title of this GREAT song!
I have been around Chicago since pretty much the beginning the were called "The Big Thing " then went to Chicago Transit Authority to simply Chicago and I was loving this sound a lot with Big horns and sound! Definitely something you should look into a lot of the younger days of Chicago!
It is and that's what I was thinking because all the horns and whatnot it's a whole different style and then when Peter Cetera left to be solo I love him too I love his voice but the music changed and he said he never likes the horns and that was the biggest part
Chicago had different phases as the times changed. They made changes too. I loved their sound...early Chicago, 70’s, 80’s and more. Now I can pick depending on my mood. How many bands made it that long?
Their final #1 song…18 years after they first hit the Top Ten. They would have two more hits after this, too. Yes, as noted in other comments, no fewer than FIVE different lead singers at various times, and they ALL had Top Ten Hits. Peter Cetera had two #1s, Robert Lamm had a #3 ("Saturday in the Park") and other hits, Terry Kath had a #7 ("Colour My World) which had been the B-side of his own "Make Me Smile" (which was #9), Jason Scheff reached #3 ("Will You Still Love Me") and #5 ("What Kind of Man Would I Be?"), and this is Bill Champlin, who besides this #1, also got to #3 with "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love". Remarkable versatility, honestly. I mean Styx also had five different guys sing lead. (Dennis DeYoung, James Young and John Curulewski, originally, and then Tommy Shaw replaced Curulewski and eventually Lawrence Gowan replaced Dennis.). But only Dennis and Tommy were singles forces. So Chicago's ability to prosper with all the different voices and styles is indeed remarkable, IMO.
Chicago is great and versatile as you said. I love Styx also. James Young (JY) sings lead on some Styx songs and might have had at least 1 hit. Didn’t the Eagles have hits with 5 different leads? Frey, Henly, Meisner, Walsh and Schmidt I believe all had top 10 hits, but I could be wrong and I don’t feel like researching.
Knowing how much you love Chicago, and how much you like a horn section, and great percusion, you need to check out songs from their album NIGHT AND DAY. It is a collection of big band songs from the 30's and 40's. In particular. SWING SWING SWING, and IN THE MOOD
A number one song from 1987 other Chicago songs to consider No tell lover Alive Again If you leave me now Baby what a big surprise a lot to choose from.
Unrequited love! OMG my Best Friend and I used to BELT this song in my truck all the time! I shared this one with my kids every time I've been asked about why the crush doesn't like them back.
Back in the 80's Chicago was a hit making machine there biggest albums was Chicago 16 from (1982) Chicago 17 from (1984) Chicago 18 from (1986) Chicago 19 from (1988)
You're not the only ones who have trouble with figuring out what Chicago sound was early versus later in their career. I had never knowingly heard Chicago until I was in 7th grade in 1984, and they were already on their 17th album at that point. I'm not their biggest fan, even though I love a lot of their songs, so I can't give you all the details, but just from how I remember it growing up, around 1984 is when their music started sounding a lot more like this song or like their sound on "You're the Inspiration," which was the first song of theirs I heard and could identify as being by Chicago. Most of their songs that had a little more funk to them, and really pushed the horns were prior to that, at least as far as their radio hits go. I'm sure there are some exceptions, but I don't remember hearing the horns that much from them from 1984 on.
Look Away was the third number one song for Chicago. Charting in 1988, more than 20 years after the group formed, it proved they still had some tricks up their sleeves. Their evolution into the 80s largely eschewed the horns in favor of power ballads. I'd recommend checking out their follow-up, a top ten hit, called You're Not Alone.
Just saw an interview you might want to look up. Chicago members talking about how Jimmy Hendrix, got them their first big gig. Awesome story and pictures of them, back in the day......
This is one of the very few songs that someone outside of the band wrote and Chicago recorded. Dianne Warren has written so many hit songs for multiple artists including this one.
There is a Chicago song that I've NEVER seen a reaction of!! It's called "Happy Man""..( sung by a young Peter Cetera) ....It captures the feelings I have for my wife as we are 2 weeks away from our 17th Anniversary!!
This is Chicago 19. I had this back then. Very good album. That's Bill Champlin on lead Vocal. Remember Earth Wind and Fire 'After the love has gone'. He co-wrote that tune with David Foster. Nice reaction guys. You should dig more on some more Chicago songs. 🎶🎶🎶🎤🎤✌
NEXT Chicago please - "Just You ''N' Me" (1973), "Wishing You Were Here" (1974) or "Dialogue Part I & II" (1972) All three of these are very catchy and upbeat.
This song was song of the year for 1989, if I remember right. Perhaps that was one year off. I remember listening to the year-end countdown on the radio as a teenager and this song was last at #1 on the countdown. You might also try "Niagara Falls" and "We Can Last Forever" and "Will You Still Love Me." Peter Cetera singing "Hard Habit To Break" is also pretty smooth.
My wife and I grew up through the early Chicago and into the 80s. Different singers, drummers, instruments. A few years ago we went to a Chicago concert. We were surprised that everyone available was there and they did highlights through the entire catalog. When it was time to switch from 70s to 80s the drummers did a 45 minute drum off. Such an amazing concert.
Along Comes A Woman is another awesome Peter Cetera 80s Chicago tune! Love to see you react to that one! Thanks for reacting to this great Chicago classic!!!
I'm not one who cares for their 80's power ballads, but I love their 70's music!! For a great song from their 1st album, check out "South California Purples" or a medley from Chicago 2 called "Girl From Buchannon". It has some amazing horns that I know you will enjoy!!
#1 NJ Fan here. This was the song I thought introduced me to them, but I already knew two songs from '70s I didn't know was them. Seventies and Eighties Chicago is a little different, but as you stated, still the same with the arrangements. I prefer Peter Cetera singing. I have all his solos. Awesome reaction guys ☮️❤️😁
70s Chicago = Brass (more or less)
80s Chicago = Power ballads (more or less)
I loved the mid 70's, when they did both at once!
I'm a child of the 80s (born in the 70s), and I grew up with Chicago's Big Ballads. Still stop when I hear them
Peter Cetera ruined them.
Much prefer 60's-70's. The power ballads of the 80's followed Journey's success with them and almost brought rock down.
@@deweyoxburger5470 I would include David Foster for their change.
You have NOT seen every side of Chicago until you've experienced one of their mid-70's, super smooth ballads like "If You Leave Me Now" or "Wishing You Were Here"!! The instrumentation is absolutely exquisite.
Two of my favorites, definitely.
Wishing You Were Here features three of the Beach Boys doing the harmonies. Gorgeous song.
If you leave me now......oh melts my heart ❤️
Wishing you were here is the best I MO
Bill is the MAN. One of the most underrated voices ever. Im not a huge Chicago fan but this song in particular is incredible.
Chicago "Will you still love me" and "Hard habit to break" are AMAZING! ❤️ original videos
"Hard Habit To Break" is my favorite Chicago song of all time. And considering their catalogue that's saying a lot.
I've listened to Chicago since I was a young girl. Their music never gets old to me. I always love this group!
I’ll text this to my friend Bill Champlin. He’s the blue eyed soul you love! Singing his heart out!!!
Chicago is one of those bands that you hear song and say "I LOVE that song!" and then you say" THAT was Chicago?!" So many different songs. So many GREAT songs!
Chicago 19 has A LOT of their best music post-Peter Cetera. "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love," "You're Not Alone," "What Kind of Man Would I Be?," "We Can Last Forever" and the other singles from the album. It also has some of the best deep cuts they produced in the 80s, including "Victorious," "Heart in Pieces" and "I Stand Up." It's one of my all-time favorite Chicago albums.
Yes totally agree. The following album "twenty 1" from -91 is probably their most underrated work. What i never will understand though is why they replaced "Secrets of the heart".
Chicago 19 & 21 will definitely satisfy your rock pop urgings.
I`m glad you both have finally gotten around to reacting to this video...I worked in the Bodyguard/Protective services field for many, many years...So when this video was being filmed here in New York, the director and the lead singer ( Bill Champlin - he has the white vest on) asked if I would like to be in the video...We did about 10 takes and after the editing, I'm in a small part at the end of the video in the elevator...I was 27 years old then and a lot heavier...I`m 62 years old now...Time flies....We had to travel all over New York to a lot of locations for protection for everyone in the video...1988.
“JUST YOU AND ME”
Beautiful love song / message… AND “HORNS,HORNS “!! Chicago!!!!!!
EIght songs into Chicago's discography, and you're just gettin' started! Try "Questions 67 and 68", "Just You 'n Me", or "If You Leave Me Now" if you want to go back to their 70s stuff. For their 80s hits, you have yet to do "Love Me Tomorrow", "Stay the Night", or "Hard Habit to Break".
They also need to hear "Beginnings"!
Color My World
Chicago IX would be a Great place to start
Oh, “Questions 67 and 68” is soooo good. One of my favorites. It has everything. Huge horns and Terry Kath riffing all over the place. Just a massive declaration of love.
Along Comes a Woman, Remember the Feeling... definitely have to check out the music video for Stay The Night.
Bill Champlin was the lead vocalist on this song. Other songs that feature him on vocals are 'Hard Habit To Break' and 'You're Not Alone' (my favorite).
"You're Not Alone" is such an under appreciated song.
Love his duet with Peter Cetera on 'HHTB'. ❤❤
I truly adored Hard Habit To Break growing up. Such a dramatic song. 😍
He also co-wrote Earth, Wind, and Fire's "After The Love Hs Gone" while in his band Sons Of Champlin.
I love "Hard habit to break" ❤️
I’ll keep asking for If You Leave Me Now. Such a classic Chicago song. Don’t miss it!
I personally wasn't crazy about later Chicago. They seemed to get away from the horns. They're still a great band!
I love "25 or 6 to 4" both versions!
Have you listened to Leonid and Friends, bringing back all that delicious Chicago goodness with better audio quality?
This was the second era of Chicago after Terry Kath’s very untimely death. The singer on this is the great Bill Champlin who is one of the nicest and funniest people I’ve ever had pleasure to interview. He had his own group in the late 60s to late 70s The Sons of Champlin. They were a hippie/soul/funk band from Marin County just north of San Francisco. You should check out “Get High” or “Follow Your Heart” or “Hold On”. Thanks A&J!
LUCKY YOU!!👏👏 Love Sons.Of Champlin's music. I found out about them 1982 when he joined Chicago. I was surprised that I knew his music before then. I found out when I was researching who he was when I bought Chicago 16, that he co-wrote "After The Love Has Gone."
Thanks Sean. He did his version of After The Love Has Gone during our interview.
Hard Habit To Break, Look Away, If She Would Have Been Faithful, And You're Not Alone are from the tear jerker phase - great tunes, lyrics, and vocal deliveries. If you haven't done a lot of earliest Chicago, don't just listen to the hits on the Chicago Transit Authority initial double album, listen to cuts like "Introduction", "Listen", "Question 67 & 68", and "Someday"
This is the number 1 song of 1989 US Billboard Hot 100... And i think this is their only number one single after Peter Cetera left Chicago, and their last one as well... Anyway, nice reaction, haha, i do hope you react to their more of their songs like "Stay the Night", "If She Would Have Been Faithful", "Will You Still Love Me", "Along Comes a Woman" and many more..❤️
This was a #1 hit for them in 1988! The lead singer on this cut also sings the In the Heat of the Night theme song.
Jay/Amber, you'll LOVE their "Beginnings" and "Just You n' Me"!!!!
Jason Scheff was such a great addition after Peter Cetera left for a solo career. But I think Chicago as 3 different sounds, the Chicago with Terry Kath, The P. Cetera led Chicago and Scheff as lead sing led Chicago. They all have their own unique style that makes them all great!!!
Jason's father was Elvis Presley's bass player.
And the current era is Bobby, Jimmy & Lee trying to hold on with a bunch of sidemen.
Let's not forget Robert Lamm, the original main singer and still with the band. From the first album to "Saturday in the Park" to today.
And this isn't even Jason Scheff; it's Bill Champlin, as others have noted. So that's FIVE lead singers.
@@seanswinton6242 And a session man with practically everybody for a while. He did at least one album with The Doors, for example.
I recommend "If You Leave Me Now" or "Wishing You Were Here".
I just recommended those two myself! It's one side of the band they haven't heard yet--and they will LOVE it.
He said in the lyrics, “we both agreed as lovers, we were better off as friends” then later said he didn’t expect to be replaced so soon! So while they mutually ended the relationship, he was still holding onto some feelings but she’d moved on faster than expected! I love this song! ❤❤
"I don't wanna live without your love" is another hit by Bill Champlin with Chicago
I'm 49 and grew up listening to Chicago, and they happen to be in the top 3 best selling American bands of all time, along with The Eagles and The Beach Boys. Chicago made a countless number of amazing songs! Cheers from northeast Ohio.
50+ years of Chicago.
You have a long way to go.
Enjoy!
I absolutely LOVE how the drums and bass come in leading up to and in the chorus...just a touch of metal in your life.
Consider yourselves lucky as you are discovering Chicago with fresh ears. This way you can appreciate their sound as a whole. They cover so many genres. Thwts the best part. Chicago fans are divided. Those who love the early 70s Chicago for the most part dislike 80s/90s Chicago. 2 totally different sounds but still great music in my opinion. This is why they are the best. If you want jazz rock, psycadleic rock, pop, Avant garde, power ballads, synth pop, intricate instrumentals, Christmas music dammm Chicago does it all. They are to be celebrated
I love both their 70's & early 80's stuff--just hated when they dropped the emphasis on horns. That was what really made them special & tied it all together for me!
Chicago 17 entire album is powerful!
Good to see you back on Chicago. There are two distinct eras for them. This was phase 2. Other great tunes from this era: Love Me Tomorrow, Hard Habit To Break, Will You Still Love Me, If She Would've Been Faithful, I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love, What Kind Of Man Would I Be. All 🔥 🎶
This is from the album Chicago 19. Every song in that album was awesome! Great power ballads "Look Away" "What Kind of Man Would I Be?" "Victorious" and "We Can Last Forever" were all major hits for them and solidified their hold on the 80's charts as major rock power ballad groups. Chicago 17, 18, 19, and 21 ( Chicago 20 was a greatest hits album) had outstanding rock ballads and was an era of Chicago I quite like though others may not. But the 60's through 70's Chicago is also quite good with many groovy songs. They have several outstanding Christmas albums and have released albums up to the present. A near 60 year career. Pretty darn awesome! Because they have persevered in the industry they did what all good bands had to do to stay alive, they adapted their unique signature sound to the current trends of the era, but unlike most , they did not compromise what made them Chicago- horns, melodies, harmonies, and musicianship. This is a different kind of Chicago, it was 80' s Chicago. Every but as good as the 60's, 70's, 90''s and 2000's.
"Look Away" is written by Diane Warren with Bill Champlin on lead vocals. The song is the band's only No. 1 single following the 1985 departure of Peter Cetera. Chicago's manager Howard Kaufman suggested that the band bring in outside songwriting help. Kaufman recommended Diane Warren and producer Ron Nevison, who had worked with Heart on the number one hits "These Dreams" and "Alone. Warren wrote "Look Away" from the man's perspective. It featured Bill Champlin on lead vocals and furthered Chicago's shift towards de-emphasizing the band's brass section compared to their earlier years. With Peter Cetera having left the group and "making his own records, it was good for us to release some songs with a different sound like Bill's voice. Then we wouldn't be saturating radio with Chicago-sounding songs."
This album, Chicago 18, was the follow up to the very successful Chicago 17. It was the first album without lead singer and bass player Peter Cetera. The legend which is David Foster wrote many of the songs on this album and produced it as well. This would be his last album with the band and arguably the last successful "commercial" album the group would produce as both Foster and Cetera went on to have sucessful solo careers. Us lifelong Chicago fans still love the band no matter if they make chart toppers or not! Thank you!
OMG - I haven't heard this song in forever. You forget how many good ones they have. Can you pretty please do Will You Still Love Me for your next Chicago song??? It is just one of my top favourite ballads of ALL time. Still gives me chills and makes me emotional after so many years. Amber - you'll melt out of you chair girl - I promise. Peter Cetera also has an AMAZING duet with Amy Grant called Next Time I Fall. Very well worth a listen.
Great recommendations! I hope they react to these songs soon too! :)))
@@xzonia1 Thank you. I was the first to respond and hope I got Amber's attention. It's hard when they get SO many requests.
@@jeannieschmidt2217 So true! Good luck! ☘
You see that's the thing though. Chicago form before I was ever born and my introduction was the Peter Cetera era and I heard a little bit of the earlier stuff. Once I got hooked I started listening to everything I could from start to finish. This is why I love all forms of Chicago because they all bring some commonalities that are completely Chicago and then some different things with the changes in the voices of the lead singers.
"Look Away" is a 1988 power ballad by American rock band Chicago. Written by Diane Warren, produced by Ron Nevison, and with Bill Champlin on lead vocals. Strangely it just doesn't quite sound like the Chicago I know!
This song is 🔥 🔥. So glad you guys checked it out
Loved early Chicago. Not so much after their 6th or 7th album. Totally different sounds. They were my first concert in 1972. I was 15.
This was one of their last hits in the late 80’s when Peter Cetera left for a solo career and when they just weren’t the same group any longer. Their 70’s songs are definitely more rock with brass. The 80’s are synth driven pop with brass. One of the best songs is from their 2nd album, a ballad called Colour my World with an amazing flute solo. Terry Kath on lead vocals. Great song to use for Valentine’s Day. It was a wedding staple when released.
Wow. This song brings me back to when I was a Freshman in high school in 1988. It's a great song and it was Billboard's number one song of the year on the pop chart for 1989. I was too young to listen to Chicago in the 70's, even when Peter Cetera joined the band in 1976. I started listening to them in the early to mid 80's when Peter Cetera was still the lead singer and songs like "You're The Inspiration" were extremely popular. I did like the new lead singer of Chicago though after Peter Cetera left the band in 1986 to go solo. The band went in a new and even better direction. "Look Away" was only one of many great songs from that era. The first song released from Chicago with the new lead singer in 1986 was "Will You Still Love Me" which I hope you two will react to. It's a beautiful song.
Peter Cetera was the last of the original 7 to join Chicago, but he did not join them in 1976. He is one of the lead singers starting on CTA- their first album…
Early Chicago is their best period, in my opinion.
I had the pleasure of seeing Chicago in my local town years ago.
One of my all time favorite bands then & to this day.
Chicago was an amazing group! Great music great lyrics 💙💙💙
If she wouldve been faithful is so incredible. Check that one out. The meaning behind it was so profound to me. just an incredible song. having said that, this is one of my top 5 Chicago songs
I've cried over this song.a lot. As,well as Hard Habit to Break and I Don't.Wanna Live Without Your Love. I've put my pour heart through a lot. That's how powerful these songs are. I'm into sad songs anyway. I'm unique that way.
That just shows u the diversity of the band Chicago
When the group were struggling to sign with another record label, some were willing to sign them but without the horn section. Chicago's sax player Walt Parazaider said, "It was like taking the piano away from Elton John, it doesn't happen." I could understand why labels wanted to do that since most of their success in the 80s were done without the horn section. This 1988 Number 1 showed why. Lead vocalist of 'Look Away' is Bill Champlin who joined the group in the early 80s to compliment Peter Cetera's voice. It worked when they'd hit with songs such as 'Hard Habit to Break', If I'm not mistaken, this was Chicago's last number one hit written by one of the best songwriters of our generation in Diane Warren.
I saw Chicago in 2017! They are still amazing in concert!
Agreed! 2015 for me, they were awesome
okay Chicago lead singer was Peter Cetera early on; when he went solo he did a duet wit Amy Grant. They sang "The Next Time I Fall", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for best vocal performance by a pop duo or group. If your asking about Amy, she did Contemporary Christian, pop rock, soft rock. gospel. Amy, as of 2009 she had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide,[3] won six Grammy Awards, 22 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and had the first Christian album to go platinum. The song two songs I remember from her has "Baby Baby" a huge pop hit and also " El shaddai" which is a great gospel song.
To appreciate Chicago, you should go back to their double album in 1969, when they were known as the Chicago Transit Authority. They were a ground breaking band with their sound, Rock fused with soul and jazz. Some songs to consider "I'm a Man", "Beginnings", "Colour My World", "Make Me Smile", "Old School", "Wishing You Were Here", "Just You 'N' Me", "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long", "Love Me Tomorrow" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry-Get Away" are a few great songs by Chicago.
Another "old school" Chicago song to react to would be "Call On Me," with lots of their signature horns.
Chicago is so underrated as far as I'm concerned. I think they have to be considered among the best rock bands ever.
The Chicago sound changed in the 80’s and 90’s after Terry Kath died. In the 80’s they started working with David Foster and the big horn sound was pushed more into the background. Some songs like this didn’t even have horns in them. They started putting out more power ballads.
Amber - 25 or 6 to 4 (“25 or 26 minutes until 4am”), which is the time it was when songster Robert Lamm looked down at his watch while writing it. Hope this helps you remember the title of this GREAT song!
I have been around Chicago since pretty much the beginning the were called "The Big Thing " then went to Chicago Transit Authority to simply Chicago and I was loving this sound a lot with Big horns and sound! Definitely something you should look into a lot of the younger days of Chicago!
I seen them in 2015 with earth, wind and fire, talk about a great concert! Full orchestra too!
The early Chicago is the best Chicago!
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Yes. This is schlock.
But the later years is when I was introduced. ☺ Nevertheless, I agree.
I was more into the 80s Chicago
It is and that's what I was thinking because all the horns and whatnot it's a whole different style and then when Peter Cetera left to be solo I love him too I love his voice but the music changed and he said he never likes the horns and that was the biggest part
This is their biggest hit and also my favorite Chicago song
Terry Kath was the leader of Chicago and shared lead singing with Peter S. Kath accidentally shot himself to death in 1978
I saw Chicago in concert in the early 1980s, fantastic band. Listen to "Colour My World" another great song by Chicago.
Look Away was their last #1 song. It was one of the biggest hits of 1989 (Top 5 for the year).
Chicago will be in KC in May. It will be my 21st show. You should take your kids if they come to OKC!
See these guys in concert back in 98 with Hall and Oates. What a great concert. They just don't make bands like this anymore. Love y'all!
I grew up listening to Chicago. This song and Saturday in the park are my favorites.
One of my favorites by Chicago!!!
Chicago had different phases as the times changed. They made changes too. I loved their sound...early Chicago, 70’s, 80’s and more. Now I can pick depending on my mood. How many bands made it that long?
My favorite Chicago song and also my friend Bill Champlin is one of the best singers ever!
I love this song it's one of my favorites by Chicago.
Lead vocalist Bill Champlin fronted his own group; Sons Of Champlin from San Francisco back in the ‘70s. Really funky sounds! 💯🔥🤙🏽😎
That was funny Amber. How you said he finally gets the meaning. You guys are great. Thanks again for another smile to end out the day. 😊
Their final #1 song…18 years after they first hit the Top Ten. They would have two more hits after this, too.
Yes, as noted in other comments, no fewer than FIVE different lead singers at various times, and they ALL had Top Ten Hits. Peter Cetera had two #1s, Robert Lamm had a #3 ("Saturday in the Park") and other hits, Terry Kath had a #7 ("Colour My World) which had been the B-side of his own "Make Me Smile" (which was #9), Jason Scheff reached #3 ("Will You Still Love Me") and #5 ("What Kind of Man Would I Be?"), and this is Bill Champlin, who besides this #1, also got to #3 with "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love". Remarkable versatility, honestly.
I mean Styx also had five different guys sing lead. (Dennis DeYoung, James Young and John Curulewski, originally, and then Tommy Shaw replaced Curulewski and eventually Lawrence Gowan replaced Dennis.). But only Dennis and Tommy were singles forces. So Chicago's ability to prosper with all the different voices and styles is indeed remarkable, IMO.
Chicago is great and versatile as you said. I love Styx also. James Young (JY) sings lead on some Styx songs and might have had at least 1 hit.
Didn’t the Eagles have hits with 5 different leads? Frey, Henly, Meisner, Walsh and Schmidt I believe all had top 10 hits, but I could be wrong and I don’t feel like researching.
Im not a huge Chicago fan but i have played this song hundreds of times...classic break-up song
Love the many sounds of Chicago!! Thank you for reacting to them!
Knowing how much you love Chicago, and how much you like a horn section, and great percusion, you need to check out songs from their album NIGHT AND DAY. It is a collection of big band songs from the 30's and 40's. In particular. SWING SWING SWING, and IN THE MOOD
A number one song from 1987 other Chicago songs to consider No tell lover Alive Again If you leave me now Baby what a big surprise a lot to choose from.
Unrequited love! OMG my Best Friend and I used to BELT this song in my truck all the time! I shared this one with my kids every time I've been asked about why the crush doesn't like them back.
My all time favorite Chicago song. 👍🏻
Chicago are among the gods of Rock n' Roll. Great song!!! Great Reactions!!!
Back in the 80's Chicago was a hit making machine there biggest albums was
Chicago 16 from (1982)
Chicago 17 from (1984)
Chicago 18 from (1986)
Chicago 19 from (1988)
He also sang the theme from the show the heat of the night and co-wrote the earth wind and fire huge hit "After the love has gone".
You're not the only ones who have trouble with figuring out what Chicago sound was early versus later in their career. I had never knowingly heard Chicago until I was in 7th grade in 1984, and they were already on their 17th album at that point. I'm not their biggest fan, even though I love a lot of their songs, so I can't give you all the details, but just from how I remember it growing up, around 1984 is when their music started sounding a lot more like this song or like their sound on "You're the Inspiration," which was the first song of theirs I heard and could identify as being by Chicago. Most of their songs that had a little more funk to them, and really pushed the horns were prior to that, at least as far as their radio hits go. I'm sure there are some exceptions, but I don't remember hearing the horns that much from them from 1984 on.
"Stay the night" is a good 80s banger
Heart "Who will you run to" was a good one too...just throwing that in there😂
You gotta go back to the 70’s. Call on Me , Dialogue parts 1&2. Horns, Horns, Horns! Classic Chicago 🎉Wayne Lewis
Look Away was the third number one song for Chicago. Charting in 1988, more than 20 years after the group formed, it proved they still had some tricks up their sleeves. Their evolution into the 80s largely eschewed the horns in favor of power ballads. I'd recommend checking out their follow-up, a top ten hit, called You're Not Alone.
Just saw an interview you might want to look up. Chicago members talking about how Jimmy Hendrix, got them their first big gig. Awesome story and pictures of them, back in the day......
This song takes me back to all the under 21 dances in the 80s!
Please react to "Hard Habit To Break", by Chicago
This is one of the very few songs that someone outside of the band wrote and Chicago recorded. Dianne Warren has written so many hit songs for multiple artists including this one.
There is a Chicago song that I've NEVER seen a reaction of!! It's called "Happy Man""..( sung by a young Peter Cetera) ....It captures the feelings I have for my wife as we are 2 weeks away from our 17th Anniversary!!
Love this song!!! Haven’t heard it in quite a while! Thanks!
This is Chicago 19. I had this back then. Very good album. That's Bill Champlin on lead Vocal. Remember Earth Wind and Fire 'After the love has gone'. He co-wrote that tune with David Foster. Nice reaction guys. You should dig more on some more Chicago songs. 🎶🎶🎶🎤🎤✌
NEXT Chicago please - "Just You ''N' Me" (1973), "Wishing You Were Here" (1974) or "Dialogue Part I & II" (1972) All three of these are very catchy and upbeat.
When I tell y’all this song was played for me on repeat…takes me back to cruising on Friday nights in my best friends car blasting this album! 🥰
This song was song of the year for 1989, if I remember right. Perhaps that was one year off. I remember listening to the year-end countdown on the radio as a teenager and this song was last at #1 on the countdown. You might also try "Niagara Falls" and "We Can Last Forever" and "Will You Still Love Me." Peter Cetera singing "Hard Habit To Break" is also pretty smooth.
My wife and I grew up through the early Chicago and into the 80s. Different singers, drummers, instruments. A few years ago we went to a Chicago concert. We were surprised that everyone available was there and they did highlights through the entire catalog. When it was time to switch from 70s to 80s the drummers did a 45 minute drum off. Such an amazing concert.
70's Chicago and 80's Chicago are two different animals. I love them both but for different reasons.
Along Comes A Woman is another awesome Peter Cetera 80s Chicago tune! Love to see you react to that one! Thanks for reacting to this great Chicago classic!!!
I'm not one who cares for their 80's power ballads, but I love their 70's music!! For a great song from their 1st album, check out "South California Purples" or a medley from Chicago 2 called "Girl From Buchannon". It has some amazing horns that I know you will enjoy!!
#1 NJ Fan here. This was the song I thought introduced me to them, but I already knew two songs from '70s I didn't know was them. Seventies and Eighties Chicago is a little different, but as you stated, still the same with the arrangements. I prefer Peter Cetera singing. I have all his solos. Awesome reaction guys ☮️❤️😁
You're Not Alone great song with Bill Champlin on vocals!
Chicago just evolved over time so their earlier stuff is totally different from the 80s stuff. I enjoy the different styles.