Chicago's #1 hit "If You Leave Me Now" (1976) and Terry Kath's death (1978) forever changed Chicago. After that huge worldwide ballade hit with Peter Cetera singing lead, radio stations, their new fans, and Chicago's record label wanted Peter to sing more ballads. Record producer David Foster (Chicago 16 & 17 - 1982, 1984) changed Chicago's sound, dropping most of the brass and adding more keyboards and guitars. MTV's music videos in the early 80s also made Perer the star of the band, which was previously a faceless band, eventually driving a wedge within the group, leading to Peter leaving for his solo career.
That said, the Foster-produced Chicago too often resulted in syrupy ballads. And it’s not true that all ballads are cheesy. The 70s version of Chicago produced some top notch ballads.
Though good this music is much more composed for movies rather than just relaxing and listening to a whole album! I liked it when it came out though missed their seventies sound!
I would counter that there's a bunch, a very big bunch indeed of 80's(and 90's I guess) Chicago fans, that are not really interested in the former iteration of Chicago, and consider them 'not real Chicago'...me, I like both.
This is actually a great song.And it shows the diversity of chicago I believe they're the most diverse group of all time , and their musician ship is untouchable no matter what era
Bill Champlin is the other vocalist. Champlin was a jazz fusiony artist. He co-wrote Earth Wind and Fire's epic After the Love is Gone with Jay Graydon and David Foster.
I must admit to being a crusty, old Chicago fan from the beginning. A few albums after Terry Kath's death, they found their way to producer David Foster who led them to power-ballads. I hated power ballads and resented Chicago's move to that genre. I boycotted their concerts for a few years. But I attended a 1984 concert when #17 was current. It was so awful where all the teen-age girlies were screaming for them as if they were The Bay City Rollers. I was so annoyed at that. But they started playing, and the girlies were screaming, but they sounded so good! Then they played "Hard Habit to Break." I was so blown-away by it. The performance was incredible. Band members were positioned around the stage and the lights magnified the performance with every musical change. I had absolute goose bumps. I still don't think much of their power ballad stuff, but Hard Habit is awesome! I'd like to suggest from the David Foster Chicago era that you play "Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Getaway," from Chicago 16. You will hear the best of the power-ballads to the original powerhouse Chicago. But you must be sure to play both parts. You won't be disappointed.
OMG! OMG! You finally reviewed my favorite love song/ 80s ballad of all time! I remember driving with my mom to the grocery store in ‘84 (5th grade) 😊 and this song came on and even then as a 11 yr old , I this song hit me with the music and what they were singing about! 😢. Wow - just wow! This is the song I always go to when ‘it’ happens. 💔. Btw, Representing Colorado Springs 🙌
Great that you all reacted to this. This was my mom's favorite Chicago song. I first saw Chicago in 1974, and have seen them a total of 19 times. I definitely recommend you all listening to " You're The Inspiration".
Great reaction Nick & Lex! I might be biased, because being born in '78, the 80's Chicago was what I first heard...and liked - pretty much all of it! Was it cheesy 80's power ballads, sure, but it was quality musicianship, which has ALWAYS been Chicago's hallmark! Production was flawless, and Peter's voice, unmistakable. It wasn't until later that I got to know 70's Chicago - so I get the comparisons (and understand some of the 'ire' that the later stuff gets). Personally, I love all eras of this band! The 70's are my favourite, but if songs like this are playing, I'm not turning it off! Cheers from Canada, eh!
The Rocky composer from Transformers that you are thinking of is Vince DiCola who did Rocky 4. The original composer for the earlier Rocky movies is Bill Conti.
I never saw their progression as shocking. They had been doing Cetera ballads since the early 70s. It's really just the changes in recording styles and technology that makes it any different. I was a fan as a little boy between the constant radio play and my older sister owning the early albums and I loved it all even after Cetera left.
Chicago are still touring with Earth Wind & Fire. Check in google their schedule and see if the band is coming to your area in Colorado or Denver. I am a Chicago fan and a BS &T fan and when the band came out with this song.....I was pleasantly shocked but really loved the classical riffs they did in the song.....thought it was brilliant...and then the band came out with "Hard To Say I'm Sorry." I went crazy. I got emotional. I cried. Then everyone was talking about it and playing it on the radio and airwaves!!! It was a hit on the billboard charts. I wish you guys would react to "Hard To Say I'm Sorry," by Chicago!!! It is FIRE!!!
I was big into Chicago from their Greatest Hits (IX) album and had been following through Hot Streets, 13, 14, and 15, but when 16 came out I immediately recognized it as the start of something beyond their other recent work. When I bought 17 "Stay the Night" was getting airplay but I immediately knew "Hard Habit" would be the next single and would be even bigger. As for Chicago's eras, I think of them as: 1. Beginnings: CTA - Line at Carnegie Hall (IV). The band was just forming and arguably at its creative peak. Producing three studio double albums in three years and capping it off with a four album live boxed set has hardly been matched by any other group ever. 2. Journeyman: Chicago V - Chicago VII. The band began to focus on more commercially marketable songs, but still held onto their creative roots. The culmination of this IMO was their final double album, a sort of Jekyll and Hyde offering with almost the entire first album dedicated to avant jazz instrumentals. A similarly ambitious recording was never again attempted. 3. Hit Machine: Chicago VIII - Chicago XI. Taking their place at the top of the pop charts, Chicago became a juggernaut, despite growing internal strife. This era was brought to an abrupt and perhaps premature close by the death of Terry Kath. 4. Wandering the Wilderness: Hot Streets - Chicago XV. Following Terry's tragic death, they really struggled to find their identity and voice without him. This led them to their worst selling album (XIV was their first album to fail to achieve Gold certification), being dropped from their label, and the issue of a second Greatest Hits album (XV), which some expected to be the last ever. 5. Hit Machine, part 2: Chicago 16 - Chicago 19. Teaming up with super producer and hit maker David Foster to revitalize their creative juices paid off with some of their biggest hits and biggest selling album (17, going 6x platinum). By the end of this run the band had been fundamentally changed, seeing the departure of two founding members: Peter Cetera (bass/vocals) and Danny Seraphine (drums). 6. Touring Nostalgia Act: Twenty 1 - present. While they've continued to sporadically release studio albums, none have really made a mark (with the possible exception of "Stone of Sisyphus"). Chicago has largely existed for the last few decades as an occasionally touring band with three of four founding members, a few long-time players, and filed out as necessary with newer "members."
70s Chicago was my older brother’s Chicago and 80’s Chicago is mine. I now appreciate the old stuff now, but if I put on something from this band, most of the time I’m putting on something after 1980. In fact, I would even say 70s Chicago hits me intellectually, where 80s Chicago hits me emotionally.
I mean this isn't my favorite Chicago. However, I know you two are younger, but this brings me back to childhood memories, and roller skating, which was a thing back in the 80's. My younger sister loved Chicago back in the day. You mentioned your mom was born in '68. I was born in '73.
You just took a big leap from their early songs to the 80’s. There were many softer songs in the 70’s - even Terry Kath had some in his soulful way. The 80’s ballads were beautiful, but big hit / cheesier 80’s. I would go back and do mid to late 70’s like Just You n Me, I’ve Been Searching, Stronger Everyday, Call on Me, Wishing You Were Here as a start. I bet your mom loved these, Lex!
While “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” from Chicago 16 in 1982 laid the blueprint for all pop rock ballads in the 80’s, “Hard Habit To Break” is, musically, a work of art and IMO, the greatest power ballad of the 80’s. By any artist. The songwriting, arrangements, vocals, production tops anything from the era. Prove me wrong. Also, I’d like to dispel the myth that Chicago became “just a ballad band” in the 80’s. True, their work with Foster in that decade was not as adventurous as their incredible 70’s catalogue, but let’s look at the 80’s albums: Chicago 16. This was their “comeback” album after Chicago 13 was a middling hit in 1979 and Chicago XIV bombed In 1980. There are only 2 ballads on 16 and both were released as the singles and were hits. Chicago 17 has only 3 ballads and two were released as huge hit singles. The rest of the tracks on these hit albums finds horn-fueled pop rock and jazzy r&b. All with Chicago’s trademark musicality. Been a longtime Chi fan lucky enough to have seen the band with TK a few times but also appreciate the band’s work in the 80’s. Saying that Chicago became a ballad band is just a lazy and uninformed comment.
It's what makes music so wonderful. Same band, different eras. If you don't like the newer stuff, that's fine move on. If you do then that's great too. It's all about personal choice, and it's really interesting to see Nick and Alexia reacting to those different times. On a personal note, after many years since my last listen, I enjoyed hearing this again.
Bands who transformed into love song, sappy stuff: Chicago, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Genesis, Styx, Yes, Kansas, others. Add to the list cuz I know I'm missing a bunch. This is what happens when you run out of stuff to write about. And it also makes one realize how important a lyricist is. Do they have the breadth to remain interesting for decades or do they sorta sell out and rely on sappy love songs that girls like? I mean, hey, look how big Taylor Swift became writing relationship songs. There's money in it. Who am I to tell them they're misguided? They have a hell of a lot more $$ than me.
Peter is also the Bass player along with being the lead singer, oh Hello NicknLex I Love this song, one of my favorites, Thank you for reacting to such a great song.
When Pete went solo he pretty much stopped playing bass. I saw Pete with an Orchestra in 2011 and the only time he got out his Fender P Bass and Pic was for the encore performance of 'I'm an Man' which really made this fan a happy camper!
Peter cetera was good as solo artist. Many duets with other singers and singles. One of his top ones was “glory of love” from the karate kid 2 soundtrack
This was a new beginning by Chicago in the 80's, Everyone had forgotten about this old band from the 60's & 70's and then this Chicago band released this song "Hard Habit To Break." It is a 80's sound with some R & B and classical music added to the sound made them appear in the public eyes again.
A fun dive into later Chicago. I’ve always enjoyed all there music. I did however stop buying their records after Terry’s passing. Not a huge fan of power ballads from anybody. Peter is a great singer and a bass player. You should hear Call On Me off of Chicago 7. 🎺🎺 🎷🎷
Let's be real here. Chicago has/had so many personnel changes over the decades they may as well be the equivalent of four different bands with completely different sounds and songs. Original Chicago is a distant memory. That said, I like that people can choose what iteration they like. Some may enjoy all versions. You wont hear me criticize anyone.
Chicago my favorite group of all time been listening to them since I was 9 years old now I’m 63 years old so yeah I know all thier early stuff and late stuff plus my family from Chicago but I highly highly recommend you play STAY THE Night real catchy rocky song guitar playing is unbelievable amazing really Stay the Night got them put back on map everyone loves that song then later HARD Habit TO break so please play Stay the night by the way great reaction from hard habit to break
NicknLex welcome to the David Foster effect. It worked so well that Cetara with the advent of the music video and the growing popularity of MTV, became the 'face' and public leader of the longtime-faceless band that was Chicago. In a 1987 interview, Cetera said about his split from the group, "It wasn't amicable, but it wasn't the worst. It's nothing that me having a hit and them having a hit won't make better. After leaving Chicago, Cetera had immediate success, with help from Foster, as a solo artist. His first single, "Glory of Love", was used as the theme song for the film The Karate Kid Part II. I would say this song isn't the best of those from that album the other upbeat songs are a bit better, but I would have to say that Foster is probably the reason for the heavy use of the synths, along with the era in general, because nobody could really take the place of Kath.
Prefacing this by noting that I grew up in the Chicago area. I think even Chicago fans would disagree on when Chicago "changed". I've heard some say that Chicago VII is when they changed. In that double album, they leaned away from the blues some and more toward jazz and pop. Also of interest - 6 out of 15 cuts on that album are instrumentals. Others would say they changed with "Hot Streets", which makes sense, as this was the first album after they lost Terry Kath, who had been the soul of Chicago. They changed with Chicago 16, probably necessary to stay relevant after Chicago XIV became their first album not to even achieve Gold Record status. But starting with the David Foster produced Chicago 16-18, the horn section kind of became highlight players, rather than an integral component of the music. They changed again with Chicago 19 and 21, as they recorded many songs written by people other than members of the band. They continue to evolve with each exit and new member. They still sound pretty great in concert (with 3 original members left), and they lean heavily on the Kath-era music, with a little of Chicago 16-19 thrown in. Some of Chicago's Christmas songs are wonderful, some are real duds... I haven't checked what's on the compilation album.
I couldn’t listen to Chicago after Chicago 7. There were a few songs that were ok, but I kept comparing to their earlier work and other bands of the late 90s, early 80s, and this just doesn’t work for me. I would never have gotten into Chicago if this was what I first heard. (Side note: I’m from Chicago and played in a band with Jimmy Pankow’s younger brother.)
I stopped listening to Chicago after Chicago 11 after Terry Kath died from an accidental self-inflicted gun shot wound. So sad. Saw Chicago for the Chicago 10 tour at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in November 1976. The Cetera/Foster era was a hot hit making machine for sure, but was not Chicago to me. Saw Peter Cetera solo in January 2011 in York Pennsylvania at the Strand Theater. The York Symphony Orchestra joined the band which included members of Chip Davis' Manheim Steamroller, including Chip on drums. It was a great show that included old and new Chicago as well as Pete's solo material. It was a great show. Great music, great vocals from Pete, but for me, not the Chicago I love. I do enjoy it though. Very ballad heavy and the other members were not big on all the ballads sung by Pete because they felt it did not represent the actual band Chicago. But man, did this Cetera/Foster era saturate the radio and sold really well.
I got to listen to Chicago play the Iowa State Fair in 1975. We couldn't afford tickets and we were with my aged aunt and uncle so no entry, but I believe the venue had no roof so we could hear them!
You can't argue with the overwhelming success of their hit singles, but to exchange their talent stretched and on full display for their schmaltzy works just hurts in some ways, but yes it's worthy of respect for what it is. Personally, if I'm going to select from this period it's going to be their coallaboration with the Beach Boys, "Wishing You Were Here"---as you can imagine the harmonies are even more amazing than usual, providing some compensatory plus to offset the minus to some degree...
17 is my favourite Chicago LP. I think cetera parted ways after this . He made a solo record in ‘88 “one more story “ which is excellent, very diverse! I believe Chicago tried to get Richard page of mr Mister fame to do lead vocal as it was also a big plus he played bass as cetera did I might be wrong but the guy you’re referring to building synth strings is Vince Dicola. His training montage on Rocky iv is legendary . He recently did a song with Swedish AOR band “work of art” which rocks
Wait, Chicago Seventeen?? My gosh I had all their albums and completely forgot that Hard Habit to Break was on that album. Peter on lead with Bill Champlin paired with him. Produced by Davis Foster, it was a great combination. Peter's voice is so unique and "the sound of Chicago" for many of the ballads from that era. Peter left Chicago in the mid-1980's to launch a solo career. It was not a civil separation and he chose not to join Chicago at their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Danny Seraphine did perform with them.
I've been a Chicago fan since they're early years, and when "17" came out I was blown away by the compositions and arrengment. I have never understood why "fans" having a hard time respecting that artists change they're musical direction from time to time. I'd be bored if Chicago sounded to day as they sounded 1970. Artists worst enemy is stagnation.
To preface, Chicago has been my favorite band for lo these past 55 years. They changed, structured and inspired my ravenous appetite for all things musical at the tender age of 10. I totally modeled my style after Danny's genius. That being said... Pete, Bobby & Champlin didn't sound too bad but... that stretch from '78 to '85 was brutal for those of us that had been serious devotees for 16 years. When they booted Pete in '85 and then Danny in '90 most of us simply hung our heads and just walked away. The math is simple, -Terry, -Laudir,- Guercio, - Pete, - Danny, -Walt = no real Chicago. Bobby, Lee, Jimmy and their contract pretenders sound like a poor Chicago-tribute band. A band of wannabees does nothing to interest me at all. What was once one of the most incredible musical experiences of the century has devolved into something akin to a rotting mass of fish floating on Lake Michigan.🤢
The video for this is interesting - very 80s MTV but Peter Cetera has a distinct vocal delivery style due to having had his jaw wired shut much earlier in his career.
I watched your reaction again, because I love this song and I wanted to check to see if it's still lagging and it's not, it must be my computer or all in my mind, I'm thinking the latter, sorry
I know a lot of people love this period of Chicago, but I hated it. Nothing but a bunch of Schmaltzy ballads and the horns buried in the background. This band was more like Pete Cetera featuring Chicago. This band died with Terry.
The band Lex was looking for is Air Supply. They are often mentioned in the same breath as REO Speedwagon. Please do "You're the Inspiration." I think it's a better song than this one. Chicago is still touring. I don't know who is left except for Peter Cetera.
Os escribo en castellano porque sé que lo habláis y al ser mi primera lengua, me es más fácil expresarme. Yo soy de esos que su primera incursión en Chicago fue con los discos de los 80. Después descubrí su etapa anterior más jazzistica y de exploración. A principio de los ochenta hay una pequeña reestructuración en la banda y llegan el productor David Foster de la mano del teclista Bill Champlin (segunda voz con Cetera en esta canción). Dan un giro musical hacia el pop-rock sinfónico de la mano de Foster y editan el Chicago 16 con muchos músicos de Toto cómo apoyo en la mayoría de lis temas. De ese disco es una de las canciones más populares del grupo Hard to say i'm sorry. A continuación sacan al mercado el Chicago 17 con una fórmula parecida y el mismo productor. Entonces Cetera deja el grupo al año siguiente y lo sustituye el bajista Jason Scheff (con una voz muy parecida a la de Cetera). En el 86 sale a luz el Chicago 18 (último producido por Foster y que le dio al grupo su sonido característico). Antes de que acaben los ochenta sale el Chicago 19 ya con otros productores. Robert Lamm es el único que se mantiene en la actualidad de la formación inicial. Yo los fui a ver en directo hace unos años en Málaga (España) y siguen teniendo ese sello de ser una de las grandes bandas de la historia. Es obvio decir que merecen mucho la pena escuchar desde el principio hasta el final todos estos discos de lis ochenta (y añadiría el Chicago 21, parecido por concepto musical al 19). No todos lis números son de discos originales, algunos son recopilaciones o directos. Chicago está entre mis favoritos sin duda. Un saludo pareja.
Call On Me is my favorite non rock Chicago song. David Foster ruined the group IMO. After Terry Kath died they completely changed their sound and the music just got way too sappy for me. Anyway I'd recommend Call on Me. Its more upbeat with kind of a jazzy groove and great bongos in it.
Chicago's #1 hit "If You Leave Me Now" (1976) and Terry Kath's death (1978) forever changed Chicago. After that huge worldwide ballade hit with Peter Cetera singing lead, radio stations, their new fans, and Chicago's record label wanted Peter to sing more ballads. Record producer David Foster (Chicago 16 & 17 - 1982, 1984) changed Chicago's sound, dropping most of the brass and adding more keyboards and guitars. MTV's music videos in the early 80s also made Perer the star of the band, which was previously a faceless band, eventually driving a wedge within the group, leading to Peter leaving for his solo career.
Thank you for detailing what actually happened to this great band.
Somewhat skewed and agenda driven description, but mostly true.
Their vocals and harmonies are always outstanding. Thank you for visiting Chicago again. ❤
From this era, I really like "Hard for Me to Say I'm Sorry." It has a bad ass horn exit that's epic. I like all Chicago. ❤
The best part.
A lot of people dont see this as "Real" Chicago, but this Cetera/Foster era made some bloody great music and had some HUGE singles.
That said, the Foster-produced Chicago too often resulted in syrupy ballads. And it’s not true that all ballads are cheesy. The 70s version of Chicago produced some top notch ballads.
Though good this music is much more composed for movies rather than just relaxing and listening to a whole album! I liked it when it came out though missed their seventies sound!
I would counter that there's a bunch, a very big bunch indeed of 80's(and 90's I guess) Chicago fans, that are not really interested in the former iteration of Chicago, and consider them 'not real Chicago'...me, I like both.
@@gershman23 No doubt some great songs in the 80s and 90s.
I was a teen in the eighties and this album was played constantly. I still love it❤
This is actually a great song.And it shows the diversity of chicago I believe they're the most diverse group of all time , and their musician ship is untouchable no matter what era
Bill Champlin is the other vocalist. Champlin was a jazz fusiony artist. He co-wrote Earth Wind and Fire's epic After the Love is Gone with Jay Graydon and David Foster.
Fantastic musician, singer, keyboard player, songwriter.
He also wrote the funky "Turn Your Love Around" for the great George Benson, again with Graydon and Toto's Steve Lukather.
I must admit to being a crusty, old Chicago fan from the beginning. A few albums after Terry Kath's death, they found their way to producer David Foster who led them to power-ballads. I hated power ballads and resented Chicago's move to that genre. I boycotted their concerts for a few years. But I attended a 1984 concert when #17 was current. It was so awful where all the teen-age girlies were screaming for them as if they were The Bay City Rollers. I was so annoyed at that. But they started playing, and the girlies were screaming, but they sounded so good! Then they played "Hard Habit to Break." I was so blown-away by it. The performance was incredible. Band members were positioned around the stage and the lights magnified the performance with every musical change. I had absolute goose bumps. I still don't think much of their power ballad stuff, but Hard Habit is awesome!
I'd like to suggest from the David Foster Chicago era that you play "Hard to Say I'm Sorry/Getaway," from Chicago 16. You will hear the best of the power-ballads to the original powerhouse Chicago. But you must be sure to play both parts. You won't be disappointed.
Can't go wrong with Chicago. The whole 17 album is great. The horn instrumental is trombone and flugelhorn.
OMG! OMG! You finally reviewed my favorite love song/ 80s ballad of all time! I remember driving with my mom to the grocery store in ‘84 (5th grade) 😊 and this song came on and even then as a 11 yr old , I this song hit me with the music and what they were singing about! 😢. Wow - just wow! This is the song I always go to when ‘it’ happens. 💔. Btw, Representing Colorado Springs 🙌
This album really brought Chicago back! Great album!
Great that you all reacted to this. This was my mom's favorite Chicago song. I first saw Chicago in 1974, and have seen them a total of 19 times. I definitely recommend you all listening to " You're The Inspiration".
The baseline in this song is phenomenal!
F!rst!!!🎉🎉🎉
This was my Chicago as an 80s kid. It wasn’t until later I realized I knew early Chicago but just didn’t know I knew.
That album was absolutely HUGE
Awesome band in all its phases and versions
Saw Chicago in 1972 at the height of their popularity, Terry Kath and original members, just the best ever!!
Let's not forget Bill Champlin on vocals also.
This all David Foster, and his production. Solid hit.
I agree apart of growing is embracing all types of music. I love both Chicago stuff. The 80s is awesome 🎉
My favorite Chicago song
Yes, they still play this, but mostly the old stuff. Yes, they never stopped touring except covid, but recorded during covid. They have 38 albums.
I didn't realize they are up to 38 albums. That is amazing. I recently bought the Chicago IV zillion CD live set that is pretty amazing.
Probably my favorite Chicago song ever!
Bill Champlin on second vocals
The last Chicago album that Peter Cetera sang with the band.
This song is different from Chicago's early works. I still like it a lot.
Great reaction Nick & Lex! I might be biased, because being born in '78, the 80's Chicago was what I first heard...and liked - pretty much all of it! Was it cheesy 80's power ballads, sure, but it was quality musicianship, which has ALWAYS been Chicago's hallmark! Production was flawless, and Peter's voice, unmistakable. It wasn't until later that I got to know 70's Chicago - so I get the comparisons (and understand some of the 'ire' that the later stuff gets).
Personally, I love all eras of this band! The 70's are my favourite, but if songs like this are playing, I'm not turning it off!
Cheers from Canada, eh!
The Rocky composer from Transformers that you are thinking of is Vince DiCola who did Rocky 4. The original composer for the earlier Rocky movies is Bill Conti.
Nick, Rocky's composer is Bill Conti
I never saw their progression as shocking. They had been doing Cetera ballads since the early 70s. It's really just the changes in recording styles and technology that makes it any different. I was a fan as a little boy between the constant radio play and my older sister owning the early albums and I loved it all even after Cetera left.
peter cetera what a voice , great song a perior of Chicago
You're the inspiration is a great song, " Stay the night" " "If she'd only been faithful" " Wiil you still love me" absolutely great songs
Chicago are still touring with Earth Wind & Fire. Check in google their schedule and see if the band is coming to your area in Colorado or Denver. I am a Chicago fan and a BS &T fan and when the band came out with this song.....I was pleasantly shocked but really loved the classical riffs they did in the song.....thought it was brilliant...and then the band came out with "Hard To Say I'm Sorry." I went crazy. I got emotional. I cried. Then everyone was talking about it and playing it on the radio and airwaves!!! It was a hit on the billboard charts. I wish you guys would react to "Hard To Say I'm Sorry," by Chicago!!! It is FIRE!!!
Just sponsor it and they will.🙂
I was big into Chicago from their Greatest Hits (IX) album and had been following through Hot Streets, 13, 14, and 15, but when 16 came out I immediately recognized it as the start of something beyond their other recent work. When I bought 17 "Stay the Night" was getting airplay but I immediately knew "Hard Habit" would be the next single and would be even bigger.
As for Chicago's eras, I think of them as:
1. Beginnings: CTA - Line at Carnegie Hall (IV). The band was just forming and arguably at its creative peak. Producing three studio double albums in three years and capping it off with a four album live boxed set has hardly been matched by any other group ever.
2. Journeyman: Chicago V - Chicago VII. The band began to focus on more commercially marketable songs, but still held onto their creative roots. The culmination of this IMO was their final double album, a sort of Jekyll and Hyde offering with almost the entire first album dedicated to avant jazz instrumentals. A similarly ambitious recording was never again attempted.
3. Hit Machine: Chicago VIII - Chicago XI. Taking their place at the top of the pop charts, Chicago became a juggernaut, despite growing internal strife. This era was brought to an abrupt and perhaps premature close by the death of Terry Kath.
4. Wandering the Wilderness: Hot Streets - Chicago XV. Following Terry's tragic death, they really struggled to find their identity and voice without him. This led them to their worst selling album (XIV was their first album to fail to achieve Gold certification), being dropped from their label, and the issue of a second Greatest Hits album (XV), which some expected to be the last ever.
5. Hit Machine, part 2: Chicago 16 - Chicago 19. Teaming up with super producer and hit maker David Foster to revitalize their creative juices paid off with some of their biggest hits and biggest selling album (17, going 6x platinum). By the end of this run the band had been fundamentally changed, seeing the departure of two founding members: Peter Cetera (bass/vocals) and Danny Seraphine (drums).
6. Touring Nostalgia Act: Twenty 1 - present. While they've continued to sporadically release studio albums, none have really made a mark (with the possible exception of "Stone of Sisyphus"). Chicago has largely existed for the last few decades as an occasionally touring band with three of four founding members, a few long-time players, and filed out as necessary with newer "members."
Thank you for reacting to my favorite Chicago song!
Oh dear! I was born the same year as Lex's mom! I slow danced (and slow skated) to this song a lot circa 1985.
This is the Chicago era I'm familiar with. Always appreciated their vocal harmonies and extensive use of instruments.
This is where Chicago jumped the shark. It burns!
70s Chicago was my older brother’s Chicago and 80’s Chicago is mine. I now appreciate the old stuff now, but if I put on something from this band, most of the time I’m putting on something after 1980. In fact, I would even say 70s Chicago hits me intellectually, where 80s Chicago hits me emotionally.
both cetera and champlin are fire in this song!
I like this song. Trust me, I was there when their first album was released.
Any Chicago is exceptional
Chicago fan for over 55 years now. I enjoy all phases.
I mean this isn't my favorite Chicago. However, I know you two are younger, but this brings me back to childhood memories, and roller skating, which was a thing back in the 80's. My younger sister loved Chicago back in the day. You mentioned your mom was born in '68. I was born in '73.
Great song and album! David Foster production! Stay the night is another great song from the same album!
Chicago’s Christmas album is pretty cool.
You just took a big leap from their early songs to the 80’s. There were many softer songs in the 70’s - even Terry Kath had some in his soulful way. The 80’s ballads were beautiful, but big hit / cheesier 80’s. I would go back and do mid to late 70’s like Just You n Me, I’ve Been Searching, Stronger Everyday, Call on Me, Wishing You Were Here as a start. I bet your mom loved these, Lex!
While “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” from Chicago 16 in 1982 laid the blueprint for all pop rock ballads in the 80’s, “Hard Habit To Break” is, musically, a work of art and IMO, the greatest power ballad of the 80’s. By any artist. The songwriting, arrangements, vocals, production tops anything from the era. Prove me wrong. Also, I’d like to dispel the myth that Chicago became “just a ballad band” in the 80’s. True, their work with Foster in that decade was not as adventurous as their incredible 70’s catalogue, but let’s look at the 80’s albums:
Chicago 16. This was their “comeback” album after Chicago 13 was a middling hit in 1979 and Chicago XIV bombed In 1980. There are only 2 ballads on 16 and both were released as the singles and were hits. Chicago 17 has only 3 ballads and two were released as huge hit singles. The rest of the tracks on these hit albums finds horn-fueled pop rock and jazzy r&b. All with Chicago’s trademark musicality. Been a longtime Chi fan lucky enough to have seen the band with TK a few times but also appreciate the band’s work in the 80’s. Saying that Chicago became a ballad band is just a lazy and uninformed comment.
1969-1978
It's what makes music so wonderful. Same band, different eras. If you don't like the newer stuff, that's fine move on. If you do then that's great too. It's all about personal choice, and it's really interesting to see Nick and Alexia reacting to those different times. On a personal note, after many years since my last listen, I enjoyed hearing this again.
Bands who transformed into love song, sappy stuff: Chicago, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Genesis, Styx, Yes, Kansas, others. Add to the list cuz I know I'm missing a bunch. This is what happens when you run out of stuff to write about. And it also makes one realize how important a lyricist is. Do they have the breadth to remain interesting for decades or do they sorta sell out and rely on sappy love songs that girls like? I mean, hey, look how big Taylor Swift became writing relationship songs. There's money in it. Who am I to tell them they're misguided? They have a hell of a lot more $$ than me.
Peter is also the Bass player along with being the lead singer, oh Hello NicknLex I Love this song, one of my favorites, Thank you for reacting to such a great song.
When Pete went solo he pretty much stopped playing bass.
I saw Pete with an Orchestra in 2011 and the only time he got out his Fender P Bass and Pic was for the encore performance of 'I'm an Man' which really made this fan a happy camper!
Peter cetera was good as solo artist. Many duets with other singers and singles. One of his top ones was “glory of love” from the karate kid 2 soundtrack
They were the first group i saw in concert when I was 15 , MY OLDEST BROTHER TOOK me. 40 years ago!
This was a new beginning by Chicago in the 80's, Everyone had forgotten about this old band from the 60's & 70's and then this Chicago band released this song "Hard Habit To Break." It is a 80's sound with some R & B and classical music added to the sound made them appear in the public eyes again.
A fun dive into later Chicago. I’ve always enjoyed all there music. I did however stop buying their records after Terry’s passing. Not a huge fan of power ballads from anybody. Peter is a great singer and a bass player. You should hear Call On Me off of Chicago 7. 🎺🎺 🎷🎷
Let's be real here. Chicago has/had so many personnel changes over the decades they may as well be the equivalent of four different bands with completely different sounds and songs. Original Chicago is a distant memory. That said, I like that people can choose what iteration they like. Some may enjoy all versions. You wont hear me criticize anyone.
Still got Lamb, Pankow & Loughnane
Remember listening to this on a Walkman in the 70’s - still love it.
Came out in 1984, so that is a pretty incredible feat you did there.
You’re are right I got my 70’s and 80’s mixed up. it was one of many holiday tapes I made whilst laying on a sun lounger in the 80’ and 70’s
Chicago my favorite group of all time been listening to them since I was 9 years old now I’m 63 years old so yeah I know all thier early stuff and late stuff plus my family from Chicago but I highly highly recommend you play STAY THE Night real catchy rocky song guitar playing is unbelievable amazing really Stay the Night got them put back on map everyone loves that song then later HARD Habit TO break so please play Stay the night by the way great reaction from hard habit to break
NicknLex welcome to the David Foster effect. It worked so well that Cetara with the advent of the music video and the growing popularity of MTV, became the 'face' and public leader of the longtime-faceless band that was Chicago. In a 1987 interview, Cetera said about his split from the group, "It wasn't amicable, but it wasn't the worst. It's nothing that me having a hit and them having a hit won't make better. After leaving Chicago, Cetera had immediate success, with help from Foster, as a solo artist. His first single, "Glory of Love", was used as the theme song for the film The Karate Kid Part II. I would say this song isn't the best of those from that album the other upbeat songs are a bit better, but I would have to say that Foster is probably the reason for the heavy use of the synths, along with the era in general, because nobody could really take the place of Kath.
Prefacing this by noting that I grew up in the Chicago area.
I think even Chicago fans would disagree on when Chicago "changed". I've heard some say that Chicago VII is when they changed. In that double album, they leaned away from the blues some and more toward jazz and pop. Also of interest - 6 out of 15 cuts on that album are instrumentals. Others would say they changed with "Hot Streets", which makes sense, as this was the first album after they lost Terry Kath, who had been the soul of Chicago. They changed with Chicago 16, probably necessary to stay relevant after Chicago XIV became their first album not to even achieve Gold Record status. But starting with the David Foster produced Chicago 16-18, the horn section kind of became highlight players, rather than an integral component of the music. They changed again with Chicago 19 and 21, as they recorded many songs written by people other than members of the band. They continue to evolve with each exit and new member. They still sound pretty great in concert (with 3 original members left), and they lean heavily on the Kath-era music, with a little of Chicago 16-19 thrown in.
Some of Chicago's Christmas songs are wonderful, some are real duds... I haven't checked what's on the compilation album.
Hard habit to break in chicago 16. All of cicago 17 is great. Peter left the group after 17
Chicago was good up until about the eleventh album. The transition into the soft rock ballad made them more popular to the mainstream culture.
TOTO puts me in the mind of Chicago more than any other band.
I couldn’t listen to Chicago after Chicago 7. There were a few songs that were ok, but I kept comparing to their earlier work and other bands of the late 90s, early 80s, and this just doesn’t work for me. I would never have gotten into Chicago if this was what I first heard. (Side note: I’m from Chicago and played in a band with Jimmy Pankow’s younger brother.)
Older stuff really good, but this one of my favorites. Hated it when stations didn’t play the last part.
Bands evolve, influenced by the times. But Chicago music is great music whatever the era.
There are at least 3 Christmas works. They are really gooood! Chicago xi was Terry's last with them.
After 1978 they had multiple mushy hits 😢😅
Wow Nick and Alexia look cold! Weather must be freezing!
When we recorded this it was minus 5 Celsius outside!!
I stopped listening to Chicago after Chicago 11 after Terry Kath died from an accidental self-inflicted gun shot wound. So sad.
Saw Chicago for the Chicago 10 tour at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in November 1976.
The Cetera/Foster era was a hot hit making machine for sure, but was not Chicago to me.
Saw Peter Cetera solo in January 2011 in York Pennsylvania at the Strand Theater. The York Symphony Orchestra joined the band which included members of Chip Davis' Manheim Steamroller, including Chip on drums. It was a great show that included old and new Chicago as well as Pete's solo material. It was a great show.
Great music, great vocals from Pete, but for me, not the Chicago I love. I do enjoy it though. Very ballad heavy and the other members were not big on all the ballads sung by Pete because they felt it did not represent the actual band Chicago.
But man, did this Cetera/Foster era saturate the radio and sold really well.
I got to listen to Chicago play the Iowa State Fair in 1975. We couldn't afford tickets and we were with my aged aunt and uncle so no entry, but I believe the venue had no roof so we could hear them!
TBH, this is the best of the era, because the horns had a jailbreak. And David Foster didn't write it. Although he produced it.
With Terry Kath's passing and Cetera about to leave and Foster production by adding strings they were in transition
You can't argue with the overwhelming success of their hit singles, but to exchange their talent stretched and on full display for their schmaltzy works just hurts in some ways, but yes it's worthy of respect for what it is. Personally, if I'm going to select from this period it's going to be their coallaboration with the Beach Boys, "Wishing You Were Here"---as you can imagine the harmonies are even more amazing than usual, providing some compensatory plus to offset the minus to some degree...
17 is my favourite Chicago LP. I think cetera parted ways after this . He made a solo record in ‘88 “one more story “ which is excellent, very diverse! I believe Chicago tried to get Richard page of mr Mister fame to do lead vocal as it was also a big plus he played bass as cetera did
I might be wrong but the guy you’re referring to building synth strings is Vince Dicola. His training montage on Rocky iv is legendary . He recently did a song with Swedish AOR band “work of art” which rocks
STYX has three really good songs, " Babe" " Renegade" and "Too much time on my hands"
Just "3"??? :P
Any album BEFORE "Kilroy was Here" :p
Wait, Chicago Seventeen?? My gosh I had all their albums and completely forgot that Hard Habit to Break was on that album. Peter on lead with Bill Champlin paired with him. Produced by Davis Foster, it was a great combination. Peter's voice is so unique and "the sound of Chicago" for many of the ballads from that era. Peter left Chicago in the mid-1980's to launch a solo career. It was not a civil separation and he chose not to join Chicago at their induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Danny Seraphine did perform with them.
You need to check out the “sons of champlin” next. A lot of great music there with another great Terry guitar player,Terry Hagerty.
I've been a Chicago fan since they're early years, and when "17" came out I was blown away by the compositions and arrengment. I have never understood why "fans" having a hard time respecting that artists change they're musical direction from time to time. I'd be bored if Chicago sounded to day as they sounded 1970. Artists worst enemy is stagnation.
The 80s is when I
stopped listening. They sounded like a completely different band. ❤
Ugh. Makes my toes curl in an unpleasant way 😁
It's not for everyone 🤷♂️
Por cierto, su último disco de estudio Born for this moment del 2022, recobra ese sonido de lis setenta. Con Lamm al frente.
To preface, Chicago has been my favorite band for lo these past 55 years. They changed, structured and inspired my ravenous appetite for all things musical at the tender age of 10. I totally modeled my style after Danny's genius. That being said... Pete, Bobby & Champlin didn't sound too bad but... that stretch from '78 to '85 was brutal for those of us that had been serious devotees for 16 years. When they booted Pete in '85 and then Danny in '90 most of us simply hung our heads and just walked away.
The math is simple, -Terry, -Laudir,- Guercio, - Pete, - Danny, -Walt = no real Chicago. Bobby, Lee, Jimmy and their contract pretenders sound like a poor Chicago-tribute band. A band of wannabees does nothing to interest me at all. What was once one of the most incredible musical experiences of the century has devolved into something akin to a rotting mass of fish floating on Lake Michigan.🤢
Ethel Cain - “Thoroughfare”
Hola reaccionen a la canción de Miguel abuelo tirando piedras al río
DX7 heaven.
The video for this is interesting - very 80s MTV but Peter Cetera has a distinct vocal delivery style due to having had his jaw wired shut much earlier in his career.
I watched your reaction again, because I love this song and I wanted to check to see if it's still lagging and it's not, it must be my computer or all in my mind, I'm thinking the latter, sorry
This music was David Foster's attempt to take Chicago out of the horn era and make Peter Cetera the focus of the group.
Not a fan of this era but love the earlier stuff with Terry Kath.
Stay The Night is a light rocker .
A catchy beat. And the video is so bad, it's good .
Blech, great band, but compositionally they lost their way when they lost Terry. JMO.
They turned soft during the 1970s with Terry Kath. Some revisionists pretend the Kath era was sap free.
I know a lot of people love this period of Chicago, but I hated it. Nothing but a bunch of Schmaltzy ballads and the horns buried in the background. This band was more like Pete Cetera featuring Chicago. This band died with Terry.
The band Lex was looking for is Air Supply. They are often mentioned in the same breath as REO Speedwagon. Please do "You're the Inspiration." I think it's a better song than this one. Chicago is still touring. I don't know who is left except for Peter Cetera.
Robert Lamm, James Pankow and Lee Loughnane are still there and still touring. Peter went solo after Chicago 17.
Os escribo en castellano porque sé que lo habláis y al ser mi primera lengua, me es más fácil expresarme. Yo soy de esos que su primera incursión en Chicago fue con los discos de los 80. Después descubrí su etapa anterior más jazzistica y de exploración. A principio de los ochenta hay una pequeña reestructuración en la banda y llegan el productor David Foster de la mano del teclista Bill Champlin (segunda voz con Cetera en esta canción). Dan un giro musical hacia el pop-rock sinfónico de la mano de Foster y editan el Chicago 16 con muchos músicos de Toto cómo apoyo en la mayoría de lis temas. De ese disco es una de las canciones más populares del grupo Hard to say i'm sorry. A continuación sacan al mercado el Chicago 17 con una fórmula parecida y el mismo productor. Entonces Cetera deja el grupo al año siguiente y lo sustituye el bajista Jason Scheff (con una voz muy parecida a la de Cetera). En el 86 sale a luz el Chicago 18 (último producido por Foster y que le dio al grupo su sonido característico). Antes de que acaben los ochenta sale el Chicago 19 ya con otros productores. Robert Lamm es el único que se mantiene en la actualidad de la formación inicial. Yo los fui a ver en directo hace unos años en Málaga (España) y siguen teniendo ese sello de ser una de las grandes bandas de la historia. Es obvio decir que merecen mucho la pena escuchar desde el principio hasta el final todos estos discos de lis ochenta (y añadiría el Chicago 21, parecido por concepto musical al 19). No todos lis números son de discos originales, algunos son recopilaciones o directos. Chicago está entre mis favoritos sin duda. Un saludo pareja.
Call On Me is my favorite non rock Chicago song. David Foster ruined the group IMO. After Terry Kath died they completely changed their sound and the music just got way too sappy for me.
Anyway I'd recommend Call on Me. Its more upbeat with kind of a jazzy groove and great bongos in it.
I luv 80s chicago. Specially with peter cetera leads
Fer Real? 😂 ❤
Peter.
And Lex's Christmas music comment about who will be unnamed by me😂
Check out Steve Perry's Christmas albums.