Chicago was at its best when the late great Terry Kath was still alive and playing lead guitar. In my opinion, that never quite sounded as good after his tragic passing. He was known as one of the great guitarists. Their live version of this song at Tanglewood is worth a watch to see the whole band in action, but with Terry on a great solo.
A song whose lyrics tell you exactly what the song is about. No weird imagery, no poetic license. Its about the band sitting around at 25 or maybe 26 minutes until 4 in the morning, trying to figure out one last song to put on the album and not being able to come up with anything. Its a true story. They ended up writing the song about trying to write the song.
Make Me Smile, Beginnings, Feeling Stronger Everyday, I'm A Man, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Colour My World, Saturday in the Park, Call on Me, Wishing You Were Here. Searching So Long, So So many more. Terry Kath (RIP) on guitar. Peter Cetera Vocals and Bass. 25 or 6 to 4 references the time. 25 or 26 minutes to 4am. After an all night music writing session. Chicago is a great rabbit hole you will love going down. You can do a whole stream on them and still won't come close to getting through their catalog. P.S. Still a bunch of Journey songs you haven't touched on either. Winds of March, Mother Father, Stone In Love, When You Love a Woman, Where Were You, The Girl Can't Help It, Suzanne, Be Good To Yourself, Send Her My Love, Separate Ways, Only The Young, Ask The Lonely, After The Fall, Hopelessly In Love, Walks Like A Lady, Just the same Way. And still more. Thanks and God Bless.
52 hunts me this days ... just read an interview with Deep Purple today. The article starts with: "52 years ago Deep Purple was founded..." - I was kind of shocked that Roger Glover and Ian Gillan turned already 76 years of age this year! *wow ... anyway: glady/badly/sadly/luckly I grew up with them and I am still alive! :)
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for NOT pausing this during that insane Terry Kath solo! I've watched several reactions to this, and so far you are the ONLY reaction channel I've seen yet that HASN'T interrupted this right in the middle of it!
This was written by Chicago's keyboard player (and one of three lead vocalists in their founding years) Robert Lamm. He was writing a song about writing a song at 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4 AM. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, looking outside the window of the rented home he was living in, seeing the flashing lights of the city off in the distance (all seven band members relocated from Chicago to California before their debut album as "Chicago Transit Authority"). To really go down the rabbit hole of Chicago, go to their debut album, a double LP. The opening track "Introduction" was written and sung by founding guitarist Terry Kath (dubbed by bandmates as "the white Ray Charles" for his soulful baritone voice) and literally introduces the listener to their brand new sound, asking the listener to sit back and give them a chance to play. On that album is "Poem 58" which opens with 4 and a half minutes of PURE FUNK led by Kath on guitar. When Jimi Hendrix saw them playing at the Whisky a Go Go, he went to their dressing room between sets and told them, "you guys have a horn section that sounds like one set of lungs, and a guitar player that's BETTER THAN ME! You wanna go on the road?" And that's how Chicago Transit Authority became Jimi's opening act at arenas. Do a reaction to "Poem 58" please and you will hear that funk and R&B influence in their music. Drummer Danny Seraphine lays down the beat and was praised by famed drummer Buddy Rich as someone that impressed Buddy.
It's like the movie Adaptation, where Charlie Kaufman is given an unadaptable book, so instead of writing a movie about the book, he writes a movie about himself, trying to turn the book into a movie. When people turn the world inside out like that it's some kind of next-level meta genius. Speaking of that kind of genius--I've also always loved how Chicago worked the Bass and Treble Clefs into their logo.
I'm so happy that now later in life I've learned and realize that this song is NOT about what I always thought and presumed it was about.... frustrations over having writer's block makes so much more sense. I used to think it was about the guy teaching himself a hard lesson in what NOT to do after staying up all night into the wee hours railing line after line of coke and the inevitable regret that surely accompanies that decision...... so glad I was wrong. TBH, I used to think that just based on the one passage " should I try to do some more..." for some reason my mind just jumped to cocaine use...lol.
@@Dooklawz :-) No, you're thinking about the book/movie Misery, which actually IS about the suffering Stephen King did in trying to quit cocaine. Bates plays the addiction, and she wants him to write just one more line....
Back in the days when we used clocks with hands that pointed to the time, we often read them approximately, like 25 or 26 to 4 a.m., like when a songwriter might be sitting cross-legged on the floor, searching for something to say in a song, and waiting for the break of day, which, at 25 or 6 to 4, presumably was still some time away. Great song! And loved your reaction! You nailed it with your comment on the great musicianship. That's Chicago.
This was written while the band was in a marathon writing/recording session, trying to finish the last few songs on their album. It was early in the morning, and they had hit a wall and were struggling to come up with something. They were sitting cross legged on the floor, and a stand still, when someone shouted to the janitor asking what time it was, to which the janitor responded “ it’s twenty five, or six, to four”. They chuckled at his response and before long they started working out a song, and this was the result.
Lead Vocals (on this one) and Bass Guitar : Peter Cetera Keyboards and Backing Vocals: Robert Lamm Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals : the Late, Great Terry Kath (RIP) Drums : Danny Seraphine Trumpet : Lee Loughnane Trombone : Jimmy Pankow Saxophone : Walter Parazaider These members were the classic lineup of Chicago Transit Authority (original name, later changed to simply Chicago).
This is what EVERYONE in the late 60's and 70's was groovin to! I remember those days well! Uh, sorta, hahaha Chicago: Such a great song and, Band! Loved those days! Great job you two!
When this came out I got lost in the music too. I would listen to this in my room with the lights out (at night) and my headphones on. This song is Rock, Jazz...Wow!!!
In an interview some Chicago members stated that they were in a jam session and writing music deep into the night, and they were exhausted. One of the members looks at the clock and says, it's 25 or 6 to 4. It didn't make sense, but because he was so exhausted it just came out that way, and they decided to put it in the song.
The genius of the lyrics is that they are ambiguous It was the hippie 1970s. They were musicians who admitted to living the party lifestyle Do the math
Chicago! Best band ever! They did evolve after the death of “their soul” Terry Kath. But if a band knew how to “read the room” it’s definitely Chicago. Their 80’a stuff was mostly ballads, but they were damn good as well, and cemented their legend.
I was in band too! I played cello in 5th and 6th grade. I played alto sax 7th and 8th grade. And tenor sax to the end of school. Dude, I. Love. Chicago. In the 70s when I was in school band Chicago was on fire! We played this song ( who didn't) and Saturday in the Park.
Chicago played here in Asheville, NC in August of 2019. I went to the concert and loved it! They sounded the same on that day as they did back in 1970.
Since I'm 55 and you two are obviously younger, I feel I have the right to say that you two are just absolutely precious. I love watching BJ all excited listening to their run on 25 or 6 to 4. I look forward to watching your videos every time I see them
I have seen Chicago probably a dozen times in my 58 years and they have NEVER disappointed! Great horn section always! My only regret is I never got to experience the great Terry Kath, sadly he passed away before I could get to hear him live.
I was lucky too. I saw them at the Chicago Stadium with Terry Kath in the early 70's. I can't remember exactly what year it was. But then I saw them again in I think was '92 at Poplar Creek with the Moody Blues. Great show but it was a different Chicago.
love it, check out feeling stronger every day by them. his father passed away and he was thinking about giving up.he thought about what his father would want him to do. very good song, my favorite from Chicago. keep it 💯
For sure...they all had so much talent and they complimented each other and brought out the best in themselves and each other...you can see it in their live concerts.
This jam is about a musician's "writer's block"...!! 25 or 6 minutes to 4 in the morning. If you wanna see how talented these guys are and how great they are LIVE, you must watch this version at Tanglewood. Words cannot begin to do these musicians justice. Simply G.O.A.T.S of their day.....!! Peace.
The late great Terry Cath, one of the greatest guitarists ❤️ Peter Cetera was the vocalist the title relates to staying up all night trying to write this song and the clock was seen at 25 or 26 minutes to 4am ❤️
Chicago's music is deceptively sophisticated-- 7 piece band with 3 horns that rock, a guitar virtuoso with one of the best voices in any genre of music, a keyboard player who wrote hit after hit and had a voice that blended and played off of the bass players most distinctive voice in music to this day. The drummer was outstandingly perfect - despite what you'll hear otherwise from "experts". They were a band of brothers above all and it comes through when you get to really know them. Start with the Live Tanglewood, then watch Live Arie Crown, then checkout their 1st CTA album....their cover of "I'm a Man" is so great...jump to Dialogue, Make Me Smile, Beginnings and then let Terry break your heart on Colour My World...🌟
Chicago's 'I'm a Man' was a fabulous blues-rock cover of a funk-rock hit by The Spencer Davis Group and co-written by Steve Winwood (Traffic, Blind Faith, Ginger Baker's Air Force, and Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood fame). It's a banger that rivals '25 or 6 to 4' in energy and musicianship!
The very 1st trumpet /horn driven song I learned to play in 1972/73 by ear listening to the Chicago live shows at Carnegie Hall release. Those were some fun times
I saw them in concert in Atlanta with REO Speedwagon a couple of years ago. They are so good in concert. The horns and all the instruments are simply amazing. Their songs are a masterpiece ❤️❤️🎹🎹
This was 70s Chicago..80`s Chicago they had some big hits with Love Me Tomorrow,Hard For Me To Say I`m Sorry,Hard Habit To Break and Stay The Night..Love them in both eras! Keep On Rockin'
I never thought of that before, but BJ is right - it does sound like music from a Bond movie. As a member of the University of Texas Longhorn Band, we did play this song. We loved doing it.
There are many great songs from Chicago. They started out with the heavy metal edge that you just heard then as time went by they moved toward power ballads.
I always know when Asia is really into what she’s hearing. She’ll laugh and say, “they don’t even go here ya’ll.” Check out their ZZ Top Livestream from a few weeks back. When she and BJ get to, “Waitin For The Bus” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” she’s there again. Lol BJ is all about getting lost in the groove. Shout out to both of you! Enjoy the whole vibe of the channel.
The song is about writing lyrics and fighting through writer's block. 25 or 6 to 4 refers to the time of day. As in 3:34 or 3:35 in the morning and he is trying to finish the lyrics before he goes to sleep.
it's funny you mentioned high school band because when I was in high school (93-97) the pep band before basketball games would play this. I was in the pep band my junior year (drums). This was always so much fun to play and visiting teams that would come in (especially from like Chicago or the St. Louis area) would hear us play and it would be a riot to see them dancing along
“25 or 6 to 4” means the time of day- “25 or 26 minutes before 4:00 am”. I know, no one EVER says the time like that, you would say 3:35 or 3:34 am, but it was hard to write lyrics around that! 😆😆
@@kcarr9589 - I'm plenty old enough to know about analog clocks, and i NEVER heard anyone say the time like that. Maybe "a quarter til" or "10 'til", but never "25 0r 6 til" anything.
This was the opening song they played at the first Rock Concert I experienced! ... And because I was a 17 year old Kid working on the Allentown Fairgrounds Stage Crew I got to be in the wings for the whole show!
It sucked they had to fire him. So high that he couldn't play along with a click track. He was one of the most creative drummers ever. He kept his drums flat. Not sure why, but it was different. I love to listen to his isolated tracks to revel in his creativity. He was very much like Ringo in that sense.
In the 70s, our high school band played this song at halftime of every home game.25 or 26 to four in the morning, the song is about staying up all night writing a song.
CHICAGO, " 25 OR 6 TOO 4"... MY FAVORITE BAND LATE SIXTIES EARLY 70'S. THEY WROTE THIS AT THIS TIME OF DAY. 25 OR 6 TOO 4 A.M. more "MAKE ME SMILE" ,"BEGINNINGS", SATURDAY IN THE PARK", " DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? ", " I'M A MAN", " COLOUR MY WOTLD ", " DIALOGUE PARTS 1 AND 2 ", " INTRODUCTION ", " QUESTIONS 67, AND 68 "
Being from Chicago this band kicked ass from the beginning as they called themselves the CTA which stood for the CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY but they got sued for that and had to cut it to simply CHICAGO! All of them were excellent musicians! Read below what the title means as so many explained it very well!
Great reaction!!! I just love your "Stank-Face" look during the guitar solo, that was classic!!! Please react to Chicago's song: "Call On Me" you'll be glad you did too because it is a VIBE!!!
Saw Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire on a double bill concert and it was unbelievable. Both bands kicked ass and did a encore together for a few songs . It was spectacular
One of my all time fav songs. It took me a long time before I realized what 25 or 6 to 4 meant - the time: 25 or 26 minutes to 4:00. He is talking about it is early in the morning and he is still trying to write a song...wondering what words to say... but he's so tired because it is 25 or 25 to 4am.
Asia, taking you back to high school is absolutely right. My high school's small band played this song during warmups for basketball rivalry games. Would pump up the crowd. This was in the early 70's.
It makes me sad for whatever happened to music; feel really sorry for kids now since a lot of them have NO idea what they missed out on. Chicago was a hit machine in the 70s...and great musicians.
A reporter asked Jimi Hendrix how it felt to be the best guitar player in the world. He replied; I don't know, you'd have to ask Terry Kath... he and Duane Allman are my favorites.
Jimi knew greatness when he saw it. I wonder how Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton felt about that comment...they all worshipped and envied Hendrix at the same time
@@karenscigliano9787 I know Eric practically begged Duane Allman to come play for him. Duane said "I've got a kid brother that can sing a little, I think we'll do our own thing." The rest is history.
25 or 6 to 4. The writer Robert Lamm was laying on the floor looking at the clock upside down, half asleep trying to finish a song . And he couldn’t tell if it was 25 to 4 or 6 minutes to 4.
I think this was Peter Cetera’s greatest vocal performance of all of Chicago”s songs. The song is about the writer trying to write a song about writing a song. He’s sitting cross legged on the floor and thinking about what to say in his song. He can’t think of what to say so he gets up and splashes his face and sits back down on the floor. But all he can do is stare at the clock and notice that it’s 25 or 26 (minutes) until 4 o’clock in the morning. It’s really a brilliant idea for a song…”I’ll write a song about writing a song.”
That horn section! Wow! It's about that time in the early morning when you wake up and you trying to get more sleep but you got stuff to do and your eyes are open. You must react to "I'm a Man", an earlier hit for Chicago.
They had a full band, and so much complexity. One of the best eras of music because everyone on that stage had incredible talent. And live performances; freakin redonkulous. No autotune, no fluff, just talent.
The Amazing Terry Kath on guitar. He was one of the best guitarists ever. I can listen to his guitar for hours. The song is about trying to write a song, but the writer is up all night and can't come up with anything, and he keeps looking at the clock. Great song.
Welcome to the Terry Kath hour! Man was a beast, fascinating to watch, so fast, so good (rewatch on your own BJ, you will love it)!! ❤ Coolest song about how hard it is to song write. He's up all night, checks the clock...it's 25 or 26 min to 4AM!! 😂🤣 Peter Cetera on vocals did have a successful solo career but it will always be Terry for me, horns...love them, but Terry...RIP, we still rockin to you!! ❤👍🏽
I can remember the first time I heard this album in 69 or 70 at a friend's house back then you put an album on and listened to the whole thing and if you were so inclined passed the bong around but the whole album is great
An ode to middle of the night writer's block. lol! Having trouble....glancing at the clock....oh, man, it's about 25 or 26 minutes 'til 4?? Should I keep struggling through here or get a few winks of sleep?
Chicago was at its best when the late great Terry Kath was still alive and playing lead guitar. In my opinion, that never quite sounded as good after his tragic passing. He was known as one of the great guitarists. Their live version of this song at Tanglewood is worth a watch to see the whole band in action, but with Terry on a great solo.
So true.
Tanglewood is unreal!!
uh
huh
Well I say them like in 2004 and I thought the newer singer was fantastic...they played for almost 3 hours...
@@franklopez2803 no not necessarily true, I saw them like in 2004 and the newer singer my was fantastic...played for almost 3 hours
A song whose lyrics tell you exactly what the song is about. No weird imagery, no poetic license. Its about the band sitting around at 25 or maybe 26 minutes until 4 in the morning, trying to figure out one last song to put on the album and not being able to come up with anything. Its a true story. They ended up writing the song about trying to write the song.
Yes true however, they were awake from days of powder coke use and some were hallucinating!!! Don’t diminish their awesomeness just fact!
Thank You for letting so many in, I literally came here to type mostly what You did, but I loved your ironic telling!!
Bs
You are spot on dude.
Perfect analogy perfect history.
Epic!!
Make Me Smile, Beginnings, Feeling Stronger Everyday, I'm A Man, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, Colour My World, Saturday in the Park, Call on Me, Wishing You Were Here. Searching So Long, So So many more. Terry Kath (RIP) on guitar. Peter Cetera Vocals and Bass.
25 or 6 to 4 references the time. 25 or 26 minutes to 4am. After an all night music writing session. Chicago is a great rabbit hole you will love going down. You can do a whole stream on them and still won't come close to getting through their catalog.
P.S. Still a bunch of Journey songs you haven't touched on either. Winds of March, Mother Father, Stone In Love, When You Love a Woman, Where Were You, The Girl Can't Help It, Suzanne, Be Good To Yourself, Send Her My Love, Separate Ways, Only The Young, Ask The Lonely, After The Fall, Hopelessly In Love, Walks Like A Lady, Just the same Way. And still more. Thanks and God Bless.
Yes, all of this!
exactly!
Chicago should be in the music hall of Fame for that song alone: the horns, the drums, the guitar, and the vocals-a masterpiece.
That song is 52 years old and still sounds as good to me today as it did 52 years ago.
52 hunts me this days ... just read an interview with Deep Purple today. The article starts with: "52 years ago Deep Purple was founded..." - I was kind of shocked that Roger Glover and Ian Gillan turned already 76 years of age this year! *wow ... anyway: glady/badly/sadly/luckly I grew up with them and I am still alive! :)
I know...but it seems like yesterday.... probably because their music is timeless.
Thanks! Now I feel so old lol! 57
@@gretacarrick5934 My kids are 50, 52 and 58...and my beautiful step-daughters are 50 and 55...❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Me too!!!
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for NOT pausing this during that insane Terry Kath solo! I've watched several reactions to this, and so far you are the ONLY reaction channel I've seen yet that HASN'T interrupted this right in the middle of it!
This was written by Chicago's keyboard player (and one of three lead vocalists in their founding years) Robert Lamm. He was writing a song about writing a song at 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4 AM. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, looking outside the window of the rented home he was living in, seeing the flashing lights of the city off in the distance (all seven band members relocated from Chicago to California before their debut album as "Chicago Transit Authority").
To really go down the rabbit hole of Chicago, go to their debut album, a double LP. The opening track "Introduction" was written and sung by founding guitarist Terry Kath (dubbed by bandmates as "the white Ray Charles" for his soulful baritone voice) and literally introduces the listener to their brand new sound, asking the listener to sit back and give them a chance to play. On that album is "Poem 58" which opens with 4 and a half minutes of PURE FUNK led by Kath on guitar. When Jimi Hendrix saw them playing at the Whisky a Go Go, he went to their dressing room between sets and told them, "you guys have a horn section that sounds like one set of lungs, and a guitar player that's BETTER THAN ME! You wanna go on the road?" And that's how Chicago Transit Authority became Jimi's opening act at arenas. Do a reaction to "Poem 58" please and you will hear that funk and R&B influence in their music. Drummer Danny Seraphine lays down the beat and was praised by famed drummer Buddy Rich as someone that impressed Buddy.
Talking about staying up writing songs…getting very late (or early in the morning) close to 4:00 am. Meaning 25 minutes or 26 minutes until 4:00 am.
Until I realized that I figured it was some sort of kabbalistic code or some other arcana.
Man..what time IS it?
Oh, twenty-five or -six, to four.
In the Terry Kath documentary, his widow implied that it had to do with drugs especially with the line "Should I do some more".
This song is an absolute master class in composition and arrangement. Not too bad since it is literally a song about writers block at 3:35 am.
was gonna say that this is probably the best song about writers block out there, lol
It's like the movie Adaptation, where Charlie Kaufman is given an unadaptable book, so instead of writing a movie about the book, he writes a movie about himself, trying to turn the book into a movie. When people turn the world inside out like that it's some kind of next-level meta genius. Speaking of that kind of genius--I've also always loved how Chicago worked the Bass and Treble Clefs into their logo.
Or 3:34
I'm so happy that now later in life I've learned and realize that this song is NOT about what I always thought and presumed it was about.... frustrations over having writer's block makes so much more sense. I used to think it was about the guy teaching himself a hard lesson in what NOT to do after staying up all night into the wee hours railing line after line of coke and the inevitable regret that surely accompanies that decision...... so glad I was wrong. TBH, I used to think that just based on the one passage " should I try to do some more..." for some reason my mind just jumped to cocaine use...lol.
@@Dooklawz :-) No, you're thinking about the book/movie Misery, which actually IS about the suffering Stephen King did in trying to quit cocaine. Bates plays the addiction, and she wants him to write just one more line....
They do this just as well live. Check out the live at Tanglewood version; well worth it just to see Terry Kath perform that guitar solo. RIP Terry!
Yes! The live at Tanglewood video is just mind stopping.
The Tanglewood version is an experience all its own that will give you a whole new perspective on the band! Amazing!
Yes!!!
Yes!!! They are amazing live
Terry Kath, one of Jimi Hendrix's favorite guitarists, really cut loose in the Tanglewood live version. You should watch it also.
Bands like Chicago, Earth,Wind,and Fire etc….that use multiple instruments. I’m always down for.
Blood, Sweat & Tears
@@Pixelologist Yes! Lucretia McEvil please!
Saw them together in Concert. 4 hours of pure power.
Tower of Power!
Rare Earth
Back in the days when we used clocks with hands that pointed to the time, we often read them approximately, like 25 or 26 to 4 a.m., like when a songwriter might be sitting cross-legged on the floor, searching for something to say in a song, and waiting for the break of day, which, at 25 or 6 to 4, presumably was still some time away. Great song! And loved your reaction! You nailed it with your comment on the great musicianship. That's Chicago.
That is exactly where it came from; Trumpet player Lee L. Wrote this based on a long night of trying to come with a song
very good explanation. Chicago, Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, were my favorite bands back then.
Song is about dropping acid goofball
Chicago is a musical explosion of talent.
You need to hear the live version from concert at Tanglewood MA in 1971!!!!!
You really do. It’s an amazing performance with maybe the best guitar solo ever.
Absolutely!!!!!!!
This was written while the band was in a marathon writing/recording session, trying to finish the last few songs on their album. It was early in the morning, and they had hit a wall and were struggling to come up with something. They were sitting cross legged on the floor, and a stand still, when someone shouted to the janitor asking what time it was, to which the janitor responded “ it’s twenty five, or six, to four”. They chuckled at his response and before long they started working out a song, and this was the result.
Lead Vocals (on this one) and Bass Guitar : Peter Cetera
Keyboards and Backing Vocals: Robert Lamm
Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals : the Late, Great Terry Kath (RIP)
Drums : Danny Seraphine
Trumpet : Lee Loughnane
Trombone : Jimmy Pankow
Saxophone : Walter Parazaider
These members were the classic lineup of Chicago Transit Authority (original name, later changed to simply Chicago).
Peter Cetera,bass.
This is what EVERYONE in the late 60's and 70's was groovin to!
I remember those days well! Uh, sorta, hahaha
Chicago: Such a great song and, Band! Loved those days!
Great job you two!
That’s arguably one of the greatest guitar leads in all of rock and roll. Terry Kath is literally shredding that guitar neck too shreds. RIP Terry
😎🙏🔥
Kids--don't play with guns! Assume they're always loaded.
A GREAT BAND. I was in a band in high School that had horns and played and loved Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears and others
2 years after FUN FACT:
The Chicago horns were featured on none other than...
Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven 😊
One of the best guitar solos ever! One of the most interesting bands ever!
When this came out I got lost in the music too. I would listen to this in my room with the lights out (at night) and my headphones on. This song is Rock, Jazz...Wow!!!
"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" is one of so many other Chicago classics.
And what a switch halfway through that one,and that outcrop !
The album had very cool artwork too,the original vinyl cover was embossed in gold.
*outtro
Damn predictive text.
For a totally different groove from Chicago, "Color My World." Incredibly talented group of musicians. Deep rabbit hole.👍🥳 Love you two 💕
Great reaction!! My favorite Chicago song. You'll love their Saturday In The Park, Just You ‘n’ Me, Beginnings and Make Me Smile.
God yes! Great list
@@Eowyn187 thank you!
In an interview some Chicago members stated that they were in a jam session and writing music deep into the night, and they were exhausted. One of the members looks at the clock and says, it's 25 or 6 to 4. It didn't make sense, but because he was so exhausted it just came out that way, and they decided to put it in the song.
It's about cocaine. Should I try to do some more 25 or 6 to 4am? Kaths wife told what it was about in an interview.
The genius of the lyrics is that they are ambiguous
It was the hippie 1970s. They were musicians who admitted to living the party lifestyle
Do the math
Chicago! Best band ever! They did evolve after the death of “their soul” Terry Kath. But if a band knew how to “read the room” it’s definitely Chicago. Their 80’a stuff was mostly ballads, but they were damn good as well, and cemented their legend.
I was in band too! I played cello in 5th and 6th grade. I played alto sax 7th and 8th grade. And tenor sax to the end of school. Dude, I. Love. Chicago. In the 70s when I was in school band Chicago was on fire! We played this song ( who didn't) and Saturday in the Park.
Chicago played here in Asheville, NC in August of 2019. I went to the concert and loved it! They sounded the same on that day as they did back in 1970.
Oh I'm sooooo jealous...that had to be sweet!!!
@@Mamat5kdz it was fantastic!
Since I'm 55 and you two are obviously younger, I feel I have the right to say that you two are just absolutely precious. I love watching BJ all excited listening to their run on 25 or 6 to 4. I look forward to watching your videos every time I see them
I know what you mean-- I feel the same...I'm 61 and I grew up in Chicago listening to this on am transistor radio....and now THIS!! amazing 🤩
I have seen Chicago probably a dozen times in my 58 years and they have NEVER disappointed! Great horn section always! My only regret is I never got to experience the great Terry Kath, sadly he passed away before I could get to hear him live.
I was lucky enough to catch them in San Diego in 1973, Balboa Park
I was lucky too. I saw them at the Chicago Stadium with Terry Kath in the early 70's. I can't remember exactly what year it was. But then I saw them again in I think was '92 at Poplar Creek with the Moody Blues. Great show but it was a different Chicago.
Chicago Are Legendary Music Icons With A Huge Catalog Of Classic Hits That Are Well Worth Your Time Exploring.
Asia is going to fall in love with this band as you two continue to react to more of Chicago.
love it, check out feeling stronger every day by them. his father passed away and he was thinking about giving up.he thought about what his father would want him to do. very good song, my favorite from Chicago. keep it 💯
Actually it is about Peter going through a divorce
The original Chicago lineup was some of the greatest musical talent ever assembled.
For sure...they all had so much talent and they complimented each other and brought out the best in themselves and each other...you can see it in their live concerts.
This jam is about a musician's "writer's block"...!! 25 or 6 minutes to 4 in the morning. If you wanna see how talented these guys are and how great they are LIVE, you must watch this version at Tanglewood. Words cannot begin to do these musicians justice. Simply G.O.A.T.S of their day.....!! Peace.
The late great Terry Cath, one of the greatest guitarists ❤️ Peter Cetera was the vocalist the title relates to staying up all night trying to write this song and the clock was seen at 25 or 26 minutes to 4am ❤️
Guys this is a deep dive. Lots of hits, great songs to react to. Great choice.
Chicago's music is deceptively sophisticated-- 7 piece band with 3 horns that rock, a guitar virtuoso with one of the best voices in any genre of music, a keyboard player who wrote hit after hit and had a voice that blended and played off of the bass players most distinctive voice in music to this day. The drummer was outstandingly perfect - despite what you'll hear otherwise from "experts". They were a band of brothers above all and it comes through when you get to really know them. Start with the Live Tanglewood, then watch Live Arie Crown, then checkout their 1st CTA
album....their cover of "I'm a Man" is so great...jump to Dialogue, Make Me Smile, Beginnings and then let Terry break your heart on Colour My World...🌟
Their ex-lead singer, Peter Cetera (left the band in '85), had a great solo career!!! He wrote Chicago's first number one hit, "If You Leave Me Now"
Chicago's 'I'm a Man' was a fabulous blues-rock cover of a funk-rock hit by The Spencer Davis Group and co-written by Steve Winwood (Traffic, Blind Faith, Ginger Baker's Air Force, and Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood fame). It's a banger that rivals '25 or 6 to 4' in energy and musicianship!
Great Live version on TH-cam-- from 67 or 68...??
The very 1st trumpet /horn driven song I learned to play in 1972/73 by ear listening to the Chicago live shows at Carnegie Hall release. Those were some fun times
Great song. Great group. All their songs are excellent. Had their albums back in the day.
I saw them in concert in Atlanta with REO Speedwagon a couple of years ago. They are so good in concert. The horns and all the instruments are simply amazing. Their songs are a masterpiece ❤️❤️🎹🎹
One of my all time favs yall...this made my morning seeing you two hear this for the first time, we get to relive it with yall man! 😝
Great group!! Thanks young people ❤️❤️❤️
This was 70s Chicago..80`s Chicago they had some big hits with Love Me Tomorrow,Hard For Me To Say I`m Sorry,Hard Habit To Break and Stay The Night..Love them in both eras! Keep On Rockin'
I never thought of that before, but BJ is right - it does sound like music from a Bond movie. As a member of the University of Texas Longhorn Band, we did play this song. We loved doing it.
What makes guitarist’s Terry Kath’s playing so admired is the informality in which his genius bursts from.✌️🎸
Chicago is a Supergroup! Terry Kath is one of the greatest guitarists ever and this song showcases his skills! RIP Terry
Yes!!! 25 or 6 to 4 was played by our High School Band in the mid 70’s at every football game!!
CHICAGO was epic!!! I honestly never met anyone who didn't like their music!!! One of my top ten fav bands from my childhood!!!
There are many great songs from Chicago. They started out with the heavy metal edge that you just heard then as time went by they moved toward power ballads.
I always know when Asia is really into what she’s hearing. She’ll laugh and say, “they don’t even go here ya’ll.” Check out their ZZ Top Livestream from a few weeks back. When she and BJ get to, “Waitin For The Bus” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” she’s there again. Lol BJ is all about getting lost in the groove. Shout out to both of you! Enjoy the whole vibe of the channel.
The song is about writing lyrics and fighting through writer's block. 25 or 6 to 4 refers to the time of day. As in 3:34 or 3:35 in the morning and he is trying to finish the lyrics before he goes to sleep.
it's funny you mentioned high school band because when I was in high school (93-97) the pep band before basketball games would play this. I was in the pep band my junior year (drums). This was always so much fun to play and visiting teams that would come in (especially from like Chicago or the St. Louis area) would hear us play and it would be a riot to see them dancing along
This was three guys on horns. They were called the "horn section with one lung" they were so tight.
“25 or 6 to 4” means the time of day- “25 or 26 minutes before 4:00 am”. I know, no one EVER says the time like that, you would say 3:35 or 3:34 am, but it was hard to write lyrics around that! 😆😆
We older people said that before there were digital clocks
We used to say “25 to 4” back with analog clocks!
@@kcarr9589 - I'm plenty old enough to know about analog clocks, and i NEVER heard anyone say the time like that. Maybe "a quarter til" or "10 'til", but never "25 0r 6 til" anything.
@@stephenbaker1362 Yes. It was common were I was from especially when you were waiting for something to happen at a certain time.
@@doplinger1 we said 25 til 4, etc. all the time. Just sounds strange to say 25 or 6.
This was the opening song they played at the first Rock Concert I experienced! ... And because I was a 17 year old Kid working on the Allentown Fairgrounds Stage Crew I got to be in the wings for the whole show!
Danny Seraphine is an amazing drummer. One of my favorites back then, along with Bobby Colomby from BS&T.
It sucked they had to fire him. So high that he couldn't play along with a click track. He was one of the most creative drummers ever. He kept his drums flat. Not sure why, but it was different. I love to listen to his isolated tracks to revel in his creativity. He was very much like Ringo in that sense.
When This Song Was Released,, MANY Would Choose This Classic For Their Wedding Song,, CHICAGO "COLOUR MY WORLD"..A BEAUTIFUL MUST HEAR.
Yep, my wife and did 45 years ago. Sadly, she passed away 2 years ago.
In the 70s, our high school band played this song at halftime of every home game.25 or 26 to four in the morning, the song is about staying up all night writing a song.
CHICAGO, " 25 OR 6 TOO 4"... MY FAVORITE BAND LATE SIXTIES EARLY 70'S. THEY WROTE THIS AT THIS TIME OF DAY. 25 OR 6 TOO 4 A.M. more "MAKE ME SMILE" ,"BEGINNINGS", SATURDAY IN THE PARK", " DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? ", " I'M A MAN", " COLOUR MY WOTLD ", " DIALOGUE PARTS 1 AND 2 ", " INTRODUCTION ", " QUESTIONS 67, AND 68 "
Being from Chicago this band kicked ass from the beginning as they called themselves the CTA which stood for the CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY but they got sued for that and had to cut it to simply CHICAGO! All of them were excellent musicians! Read below what the title means as so many explained it very well!
Great reaction!!! I just love your "Stank-Face" look during the guitar solo, that was classic!!! Please react to Chicago's song: "Call On Me" you'll be glad you did too because it is a VIBE!!!
Saw Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire on a double bill concert and it was unbelievable. Both bands kicked ass and did a encore together for a few songs . It was spectacular
Jerry.... Sounds like a fantasy come true. Lol
I remember growing up listening to that on the radio. It was a real summer song
One of my all time fav songs. It took me a long time before I realized what 25 or 6 to 4 meant - the time: 25 or 26 minutes to 4:00. He is talking about it is early in the morning and he is still trying to write a song...wondering what words to say... but he's so tired because it is 25 or 25 to 4am.
love the mix of instruments. The arrangements were amazing.
Asia, taking you back to high school is absolutely right. My high school's small band played this song during warmups for basketball rivalry games. Would pump up the crowd. This was in the early 70's.
one of the band members suffered from insomnia- wrote this song at 25 or 26 to 4 AM - " the title "
I’m 66. I was a older teen when this came out. I saw them live at Summerfest 1970 in Milwaukee. It was an awesome time in music.
Merry Christmas, Asia and BJ!!! Chicago has tons of good songs. Keep up the good work.
When I was in H.S. our pep band played this when the team came out and started warmups. It got the crowd pumped!
It makes me sad for whatever happened to music; feel really sorry for kids now since a lot of them have NO idea what they missed out on. Chicago was a hit machine in the 70s...and great musicians.
They didn't miss it, the music is in the history books so to speak. It's there for the listening anytime, but I know what you're saying.
A reporter asked Jimi Hendrix how it felt to be the best guitar player in the world. He replied; I don't know, you'd have to ask Terry Kath... he and Duane Allman are my favorites.
Jimi knew greatness when he saw it. I wonder how Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton felt about that comment...they all worshipped and envied Hendrix at the same time
@@karenscigliano9787 I know Eric practically begged Duane Allman to come play for him. Duane said "I've got a kid brother that can sing a little, I think we'll do our own thing." The rest is history.
A song that Robert Lamm wrote & Peter Cetera sings. One of the all-time killer guitar solos by the underrated Terry Kath.
This is the first time I've seen Asia do the "stank face" and 3 times! Hands down the cutest stank face I've ever seen.
So many amazing songs. They were incredible live.
25 or 6 to 4...
25 minutes or so, before 4am.
It's when he was up, writing this song. 👍
25 or 6 to 4. The writer Robert Lamm was laying on the floor looking at the clock upside down, half asleep trying to finish a song . And he couldn’t tell if it was 25 to 4 or 6 minutes to 4.
That’s what I call a horn section ‼️💯❤️
I think this was Peter Cetera’s greatest vocal performance of all of Chicago”s songs.
The song is about the writer trying to write a song about writing a song. He’s sitting cross legged on the floor and thinking about what to say in his song. He can’t think of what to say so he gets up and splashes his face and sits back down on the floor. But all he can do is stare at the clock and notice that it’s 25 or 26 (minutes) until 4 o’clock in the morning. It’s really a brilliant idea for a song…”I’ll write a song about writing a song.”
That horn section! Wow! It's about that time in the early morning when you wake up and you trying to get more sleep but you got stuff to do and your eyes are open. You must react to "I'm a Man", an earlier hit for Chicago.
We got to play this in my high school band in the 70's - it was so fun at football games!
They had a full band, and so much complexity. One of the best eras of music because everyone on that stage had incredible talent. And live performances; freakin redonkulous. No autotune, no fluff, just talent.
love watching you two just getting lost in the sauce.... Best most complete live performing American band ever! thumbs up !
The Amazing Terry Kath on guitar. He was one of the best guitarists ever. I can listen to his guitar for hours. The song is about trying to write a song, but the writer is up all night and can't come up with anything, and he keeps looking at the clock. Great song.
Love this song my High School band still plays this song for Friday night football homecoming game its awesome👌
Welcome to the Terry Kath hour! Man was a beast, fascinating to watch, so fast, so good (rewatch on your own BJ, you will love it)!! ❤
Coolest song about how hard it is to song write. He's up all night, checks the clock...it's 25 or 26 min to
4AM!! 😂🤣
Peter Cetera on vocals did have a successful solo career but it will always be Terry for me, horns...love them, but Terry...RIP, we still rockin to you!! ❤👍🏽
I can remember the first time I heard this album in 69 or 70 at a friend's house back then you put an album on and listened to the whole thing and if you were so inclined passed the bong around but the whole album is great
Jimi Hendrex's said that Terry Kath was one of his favorite guitar players.
The greatest guitar solo of all time? Could be ! The great Terry Kath.
My favorite band growing up as a teen in the 70's You should listed to "I'm a Man." to hear even more instruments.
An ode to middle of the night writer's block. lol! Having trouble....glancing at the clock....oh, man, it's about 25 or 26 minutes 'til 4?? Should I keep struggling through here or get a few winks of sleep?
Chicago II is one of my all-time favorite albums.
Chicago is my all time favorite band. They are awesome 😎
Such a great song! And speaking of high school band, my high school marching and pep bands played this song back in the mid-80s and we all loved it.
One of my favorite all time bands. Their music is so happy.