"Saturday In The Park", "Beginnings", "Feelin' Stronger Every Day", "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is", "Old Days", and "Make Me Smile" are all bangers.
Terry Kath was the guitarist. Died at 31 yrs old in a gun accident. One of the most under-appreciated guitarists in my opinion. I would suggest the next song be, I'm a Man. After Terry passed their music went more soft rock. They changed.
The line that people attribute to Hendrix regarding Terry Kath is not actually what he said according to trombonist Jimmy Pankow... They asked JH who at the time were great guitarists . Terry was one of the names he mentioned as Chicago opened for JH at a club in Hollywood... 😊
Chicago is kind of two bands. Prior to the passing of guitarist Terry Kath, they were definitely a rock band with horns. Kath's songwriting, bluesy vocals, and scorching guitar licks fueled the band and made them a rock staple. After Terry passed, they gradually drifted into more of a ballad band playing pop songs focused on the vocals of Peter Cetera. The transition from rock band to pop band alienated a lot of original fans, but also brought them a new easy listening audience that has persisted. I'm old enough to have seen them live several times when Terry was still alive and he was incredible live!
I am definitely in the the group that preferred the first edition of the band. They rocked so well. The similar thing happened to the Doobie Brothers where they went away from what got them there and started playing boring stuff in comparison. Both groups lost their edge with changing leadership.
@@almondroca I can't really disagree. In some ways, Chicago V was the last real Chicago rock album. Chicago VI moved in a pop direction and Chicago VII was very jazz oriented. VIII and X were definitely more commercial.
Fun fact: The band was previously known as Chicago Transit Authority, which was the name of their first album. They shortened their name after the actual Chicago transit authority objected, and began releasing albums with their name followed by a roman numeral (Chicago II, Chicago III, Chicago IV, etc.). They did this throughout their career, even as they morphed from horn-driven rock to adult contemporary ballads ("Hard For Me To Say I'm Sorry," "Baby What A Big Surprise") in the '80s. -This song Was In The Rhythm Video Game Rock Band 3.
Watch the live version of this song from Tanglewood. Also need to listen to older stuff of theirs like Introduction, Listen, Poem 48, I’m a Man, and Beginnings. Please please please…
Greetings from Lithonia! The band went from a guitar oriented rock/jazz format to easy listening after Kath’s death. The first album is one of the BEST rock albums EVER! Every song is reachable, except Free Form Guitar. The first song is Introduction and is exactly that, with each section of the band introducing themselves with amazing solos.
The studio version is by far superior with thr great crisp production where you can hear everything in its perfection. The Tanglewood thing is muddy, the horns sound crappy as do the vocals. The only thing you got left is a way too long Kath solo. The studio is one of the greatest things ever recorded.
We played this in marching band when I was a sophomore in high school (I'm 63 now). Great half time song! Listening as you listened, my fingers moved with muscle memory, playing the entire song on my invisible piccolo. LOVE this song. Love you guys!
I'm 70 years old and I remember when this first came out. First time I'd ever heard horns in a rock song it totally blew me away. Terry Kath is one of the best guitarist ever. I saw an interview one time with Jimi Hendrix and he was asked what it was like to be the best guitarist alive and he answered I don't know you'll have to ask Terry Kath. I absolutely agree that rock music was much better in the 60's no auto tune no special electronics just pure raw talent.
Hello Hollywood6 & SmokeyR, this band has quite a backstory. They have several monikers there're known by such as "The Balladeers", "Soft Rock Kings", blues rock is how they began though, with the incredible frontman and lead guitarist Terry Kath, who is known for being one of the most underappreciated guitarists of his generation. And you may ask why? Well, I don't have a clue as to why that is; Kath along with Chicago's manager Peter Shivarelli helped finance the Pignose Amplifier company, with Kath becoming the company's main endorser. And his trademark guitar eventually became the highly coveted Fender Telecaster, one of the most sought after guitars to this day. It's decorated with several Pignose stickers and the Chicago Blackhawks logo. But Terry never gets his flowers alongside the other guitar greats. Even though, Jimmi Hendrix said in an interview once and I'm paraphrasing here, and he spoke very highly of Terry Kath and even said he thought Kath played better on a six-string guitar better than he did. We lost Terry Kath to an accidental gunshot wound, he accidentally shot himself in a mishap. RIP: Terry Kath 💔🎸🔥U R Missed But after the band lost Terry K. Peter Catera the Lead singer and bassist stepped up and became the frontman after the death of Kath and the band's sound completely changed. Here's a song that demonstrates this fact, if interested. "Chicago - You're The Inspiration (Official Music Video)" (by the channel: Chicago Band) --And as always, I enjoyed hanging out and rocking with you two. Thanks for sharing. peace out~
ONE OF THE GREATEST CLASSIC ROCK SOLO'S OF ALL TIME BY ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED GUTARISTS (RIP TERRY KATH) HENDRIX WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID HE PLAYS BETTER THEN ME AND HAD A SOULFUL BLUESY ROCK VOICE, AMAZING COMBO, ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRAVISTY'S IN ROCK HISTORY 🎸
Terry Kath died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. It's believed it was unintentional as it appeared he thought it wasn't loaded at the time when he jokingly demonstrated Russian Roulette thinking it was fully unloaded.
He was writing the song…looked at the clock and did not know if it was 25 minutes or 6 minutes until 4 in the morning…he was writing for so long…the lyrics are about him writing the song.
The 1970 Tanglewood live show will let you know what great musicians Chicago were. But Leonid and Friends is an awesome tribute band and this song was a break out hit for them.
🌸 if you're interested in doing more Chicago, two of my favorites are: *Saturday in the Park & *does anyone really know what time it is both of those are really terrific!
Hahahaha Ally! I remember being in a music store back in 1969, and a girl from my neighborhood came in and was browsing the sheet music selection. She said her piano teacher wanted her to learn a new song called "Your Song", by some guy named Elton John. I told her (truthfully) that I hadn't heard of the song, or the guy! Little did we know... !!!
Story goes, Peter Cetera went to a Dodgers game, got into a fight and had his jaw broken just prior to going to the studio to record this song so, on the album version his jaw was wired shut
Hey guys, really enjoyed your review here! This one featured Peter Cetera (the bass player) on the lead vocal. You can hear him on "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" and many other songs as well. Terry Kath (the guitar player) sang lead on various other songs, such as "Make Me Smile." Terry had a very powerful baritone-ish voice, somewhat reminiscent of Ray Charles, actually. Terry and Peter famously traded "call-and-response" vocal lines with each other on the song "Dialogue." And then there's a third vocalist, Robert Lamm (the keyboard player), whose super-smooth voice can be heard on songs like "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Beginnings." One very cool song, called "What's This World Coming To?", features all three of those guys rotating the lead vocals. I think that vocal versatility was a big part of what made Chicago so special.
Questions 67 & 68, Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon (Make Me Smile), Dialogue Pt 1 & 2, absolute bangers, pre Terry Kath passing away. After that bassist Peter Cetera, vocals on this song, steered them into a softer “pop” rock style. Call on Me is one of their softer style, is my favorite, and Terry Kath was on guitar for that. Chicago is iconic, in all their stylistic iterations.
Terry Kath was the amazing guitarist who died very young in his early 30’s. He was also a great singer - check out Make Me Smile to hear his vocals! ❤️🔥
I suggested Terry Kath when you were doing the best Guitarist brackets..sadly he passed away young..another one gone too soon! Live at Tanglewood is one of the best guitar solo performances I have ever seen!!
They used to be pretty hard rock. Chicago Transit Authority was name in beginning CTA. After guitarist died from gun accident their sound changed to basically soft rock. the lead singer Peter Cetera went solo and for whatever reasons hasn’t performed with the members that are left.
If you want to hear dissonant/esoteric guitar, try "Free Form Guitar" from their first album. Kind of hard to listen to, but it made it into their album
Keyboardist Robert Lamm wrote this song. He was up all night trying to write a song. So it was a song about writer's block. 25 or 6 to 4 was.the time on the clock (in the AM). Guitarist Terry Kath was one of the greatest. Sadly, he accidentally shot himself to death on January of 1978. They had three excellent vocalists back in their early days. This song was sungl by Peter Cetera. Terry Kath same some songs too. Checkniut his soulful vocals on "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World." Robert Lamm sings lead on the song 'Saturday in the Park" which was.one of their early biggest hits. This song was early 1970s. Maybe 1970. Also check out "Feeling Stronger Every Day."
When I was a little kid in the 70s, all kids learning how to play guitar started with the opening of smoke on the water, stairway to Heaven, or this song. All three killer riffs.
You're basically spot on! He's confused what time it is. And the guitarist was truly great, but passed away ages ago. The singer on that tune stayed with them a long time, but ended up with a solo career as well, and Chicago became adult contemporary with a lot of love songs later in the 80's.
They call themselves a rock band with horns, which also incorporated elements of classical, jazz, R&B and pop music. All but one were born in Chicago, all were raised and schooled in Chicago, and the trombonist, trumpet, sax/flute and keyboard players all attended music schools in Chicago. Started in '67 as "Chicago Transit Authority", which is the title of their first album (CTA, or Chicago I), but had to change their name to "Chicago" in '69 due to name infringement rights lawsuit from the actual Chicago Transit Authority. This song is from their 2nd album, "Chicago II". They were the first rock band that sold out attendance at Carnegie Hall in 1971 - for a week. In 2008, Billboard ranked Chicago #13 in Top 100 Artists in the singles charts. And in 2015 Chicago was ranked #9 in Top 100 in album chart success. In terms of chart success, Chicago is one of the most successful American bands in RIAA and Billboard history, 2nd only to The Beach Boys, with 23 gold, 18 platinum and 8 multi-platinum albums. Chicago is also one of the world's best-selling groups of all time having sold over 100 million records. Their first album, CTA released in '69, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014; the original lineup of Chicago was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016; and in 2017 Lamm (keyboards), Pankow (trombone) and Cetera (bass) were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They write all Chicago's songs, lyrics and music compositions. Jimi Hendrix, on several interviews, remarked that he thought Terry Kath was a better guitar player (self-taught). The group has received 10 Grammy nominations, winning one for the song "If you leave me now". The group received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. If you like horns, check out "Questions 67 & 68" (also written by Lamm and Cetera on vocals); if you like bass, check out "Feeling stronger every day" (written by Cetera and Pankow, vocals by Cetera). But there are plenty of great songs from this group - 69 to 78 being their best/most popular years. After the death of Kath in '78 the group focused more on ballads utilizing Cetera's awesome tenor vocals ("If you leave me now, You're the Inspiration, Hard to say I'm sorry"), most notably. Deep Rabbit hole with Chicago.
Anybody who thinks Chicago is Pop rock, or soft rock, is only familiar with the stuff from the 80s. Chicago from 1968, to 1978, led by Terry Kath, is one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Listen to, any of the first albums, and your mind will be absolutely blown. Terry is an absolute guitar hero.
Guys, Led Zeppelin based Dazed and Confused on an acoustic folk song by Jake Holmes who claims Zeppelin ripped that song off after they heard it as he was playing on the same Bill as Zeppelin in New York, and Jimmy Page became obsessed with it. So that's how they did it. Meanwhile 25 or 6 to 4 was written by Robert Lamm of Chicago. They came out in the same year, so who influenced who is hard to say. Obviously Zeppelin influenced many. The songs are pretty radically different. Terry Kath was an elite guitarist. I'd call Chicago leaning toward prog. but more in a pop sensibility. But what do I know.
Actually, "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" and "25 Or 6 To 4" are both in Am , and have a similar chord progression, so I can see how Zeppelin popped into his head. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" also follows this same chord progression, but in a different key signature...
"Free Form Guitar" is that one song that either amazes or annoys the listener. Terry Kath was experimenting with that tapping technique others did before Terry and Eddie Van Halen made popular.
Chicago was a blues influenced rock band until guitarist Terry Kath died in 1978. After that Peter Cetera who was lead vocal on this song, brought in David Foster to produce the band and they went more towards pop. 25 or (2)6 to 4 (am) from writers block.
The band was working on writing songs late into the night. They were very tired and experiencing some writer's block. One of the band members asked what time it was, and another, looking at the clock on the wall, said "It's like 25 or (2)6 to 4." - 3:34 or 3:35 a.m.
Chicago started out as a more harder rocking, experimental, band. After their guitarist passed away, they did evolve more soft pop with lots of top 40 hits. I would recommend the song Beginnings as another one to check out.
Yeah, the guitaring is similar to "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" by Led Zeppelin, which came out the year before this song. This song came out around 1970, and the LZ song came out around 1969.
13:10 yooooo that Green Day song you just referenced has the same guitar riff in it. You literally just conjured a subliminal memory by linking the message of the songs 😝 yesssss !!!
This song was released in 1970, and written in 1969 by keyboard player Robert Lamm. It is a song about writer's block. He wrote a song about writing a song and it was 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4 AM (3:35 AM - 25 minutes to 4 AM, or 3:36 AM - 26 minutes to 4 AM) when he looked at the clock across the room. Staring out the window of his rented Hollywood home at the flashing neon lights of the city. When they were originally The Chicago Transit Authority, they were the house band at The Whiskey A Go-Go in LA. One night, Jimi Hendrix was in the audience. Jimi was standing in the hallway as the band was coming out of the dressing room to do their second set. Jimi went to their sax player Walt Parazaider and said "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?" They said YEAH! and became Jimi's opening act on a national stadium tour. Go dig up their 1969 debut album when they were known as The Chicago Transit Authority and play these two tracks: "Introduction" and "Poem 58". Guitar player Terry Kath wrote "Introduction" and sang lead vocals. He was called "The White Ray Charles" by his bandmates. Soulful baritone voice! "Poem 58" is nine minutes of PURE FUNK led by Terry Kath on guitar, Danny Seraphine on drums, and Peter Cetera on bass. Kath's guitar will make you want an ice pack for your jaw after you pick it up from the floor! Also, the closing track of that debut double-LP is "Liberation", a FOURTEEN-MINUTE instrumental jam!
Since I heard you asking about this sounding like Led Zeppelin off the bat, yeah it does. This song, with "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" by Zeppelin, and also Green Day's "Brain Stew" has the same sonic foundation. Kicker is...Donovan's "Hampstead Incident" probably did it first.
I am certain there are numerous comments like this one but I have to add one more-you must check out the live version of this tune, live at Tanglewood, to watch one of the best guitar solos ever performed. Terry Kath was a genius on the guitar, RIP.
How much should I take?Should I try to do some more?It's getting close to 4 o'clock am... With writer's block , but more mushrooms helped out Obviously what a great song
Lamm said the song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 a.m.
25 or 6 to 4 is the time they wrote it. Approximately 3:35 or 3:34 AM. 25 or 26 minutes until 4am. Chicago provided you with the best intro to Chicago: "Introduction." The first song off the first album. Highly recommended.
Make Me Smile next. The end is freaking killer. Been listening to it since I was a little kid. The end of the song always sounded like like an old Western movie and the victorious Hero is riding off into the sunset. Listen and tell me I am wrong. 😊
There's a quote I always think of when I hear Chicago, spoken by Trace Beaulieu from MST3K fame: "He's hornier than an early Chicago album!" Good choice guys!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
The live performance of this song at Tanglewood is a much watch. This is where you can truly experience their insane talent.
and Terry Kath's solo....
"Saturday In The Park", "Beginnings", "Feelin' Stronger Every Day", "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is", "Old Days", and "Make Me Smile" are all bangers.
‘Colour My World’ is often forgotten but it was big on the airwaves when I was a kid…
@@SBel65 'Color My World' was one of the biggest wedding songs back then, too.
Terry Kath was the guitarist. Died at 31 yrs old in a gun accident. One of the most under-appreciated guitarists in my opinion. I would suggest the next song be, I'm a Man. After Terry passed their music went more soft rock. They changed.
Never knew that story. I always wondered why the change in style.
his last words were "What do you think I'm gonna do? Blow my brains out?"
Terry Kath is truly unappreciated, he was an incredible talent. I feel the same way about Lindsey Buckingham.
Soft cheesy rock, specifically
Definitely I’m a Man.
There are live versions of this song that make you understand why Jimmy Hendrix thought they had the best guitarists.
The line that people attribute to Hendrix regarding Terry Kath is not actually what he said according to trombonist Jimmy Pankow... They asked JH who at the time were great guitarists . Terry was one of the names he mentioned as Chicago opened for JH at a club in Hollywood... 😊
His name is Terry Kath.
Look him up very interesting but sad story
Chicago is kind of two bands. Prior to the passing of guitarist Terry Kath, they were definitely a rock band with horns. Kath's songwriting, bluesy vocals, and scorching guitar licks fueled the band and made them a rock staple. After Terry passed, they gradually drifted into more of a ballad band playing pop songs focused on the vocals of Peter Cetera. The transition from rock band to pop band alienated a lot of original fans, but also brought them a new easy listening audience that has persisted. I'm old enough to have seen them live several times when Terry was still alive and he was incredible live!
I am definitely in the the group that preferred the first edition of the band. They rocked so well. The similar thing happened to the Doobie Brothers where they went away from what got them there and started playing boring stuff in comparison. Both groups lost their edge with changing leadership.
peter et cetera. :/
that drift had already started while TK was still in the band, but definitely picked up speed once he was gone.
@@almondroca I can't really disagree. In some ways, Chicago V was the last real Chicago rock album. Chicago VI moved in a pop direction and Chicago VII was very jazz oriented. VIII and X were definitely more commercial.
@@almondroca "drift" is a good word for it, but I felt it was more of a tidal wave away from what they were.
TANGLEWOOD CONCERT IS A MUST SEE!!!
The song is about writers block. 25 or 6 to 4 refers to the time, 25 or 26 minutes to 4:00 AM., having a hard time coming up with lyrics for a song.
This!
Lingo from the days of analog clocks. LOL
The lyrics describe to a "T", an LSD trip. I have a hard time thinking it's about writers block(even tho that's what they say)
In other words, 3:35 or 3:34 AM.
@@rubroken to YOU it does but it is a straight forward account from Robert Lamb about writers block.
A MUST HEAR Classic,, Chicago "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" 🔥
Fun fact: The band was previously known as Chicago Transit Authority, which was the name of their first album. They shortened their name after the actual Chicago transit authority objected, and began releasing albums with their name followed by a roman numeral (Chicago II, Chicago III, Chicago IV, etc.). They did this throughout their career, even as they morphed from horn-driven rock to adult contemporary ballads ("Hard For Me To Say I'm Sorry," "Baby What A Big Surprise") in the '80s.
-This song Was In The Rhythm Video Game Rock Band 3.
Before Chicago Transit Authority, they called themselves "The Big Thing".
Live at Tanglewood, 1970...the Terry Kath solo in 25 or 6 to 4 is unbelievable.
Chicago was "The Rock Band who played Jazz"... Conversely, Blood, Sweat and Tears were the "Jazz Band that played Rock"!
Chicago: Beginnings, Make Me Smile, I'm A Man, Color My World, Just You And Me, Saturday In The Park. 🎺🎷🌞
Watch the live version of this song from Tanglewood. Also need to listen to older stuff of theirs like Introduction, Listen, Poem 48, I’m a Man, and Beginnings. Please please please…
Go watch Chicago at Tanglewood - complete concert. I am from Chicago and old. I saw every concert from 1970 to 1978.
Greetings from Lithonia! The band went from a guitar oriented rock/jazz format to easy listening after Kath’s death. The first album is one of the BEST rock albums EVER! Every song is reachable, except Free Form Guitar. The first song is Introduction and is exactly that, with each section of the band introducing themselves with amazing solos.
Great reaction as always, but you missed out big time not watching the video of them live at Tanglewood 1970, and the amazing Terry Kath guitar solo.
I said the same thing! I am old and from Chicago and saw them everytime they played at home 1970 to 1978. I agree, Tanglewood was the best!
@@jorinkema9877 Must have been great to see them at their peak.
The studio version is by far superior with thr great crisp production where you can hear everything in its perfection. The Tanglewood thing is muddy, the horns sound crappy as do the vocals. The only thing you got left is a way too long Kath solo. The studio is one of the greatest things ever recorded.
Terry Kath is one of the greatest guitar players that is never talked about. Even Jimi Hendrix said he was the best.
Terry Kath is the guitarist. Jimmy Hendrix noted him as one of his favorites.
We played this in marching band when I was a sophomore in high school (I'm 63 now). Great half time song! Listening as you listened, my fingers moved with muscle memory, playing the entire song on my invisible piccolo. LOVE this song. Love you guys!
First 3 albums are double albums…all astounding.
54 years old and it still slaps. Hits harder than the crap on the radio today for sure.
I'm 70 years old and I remember when this first came out. First time I'd ever heard horns in a rock song it totally blew me away. Terry Kath is one of the best guitarist ever. I saw an interview one time with Jimi Hendrix and he was asked what it was like to be the best guitarist alive and he answered I don't know you'll have to ask Terry Kath. I absolutely agree that rock music was much better in the 60's no auto tune no special electronics just pure raw talent.
Hello Hollywood6 & SmokeyR, this band has quite a backstory. They have several monikers there're known by such as "The Balladeers", "Soft Rock Kings", blues rock is how they began though, with the incredible frontman and lead guitarist Terry Kath, who is known for being one of the most underappreciated guitarists of his generation. And you may ask why? Well, I don't have a clue as to why that is; Kath along with Chicago's manager Peter Shivarelli helped finance the Pignose Amplifier company, with Kath becoming the company's main endorser. And his trademark guitar eventually became the highly coveted Fender Telecaster, one of the most sought after guitars to this day. It's decorated with several Pignose stickers and the Chicago Blackhawks logo. But Terry never gets his flowers alongside the other guitar greats. Even though, Jimmi Hendrix said in an interview once and I'm paraphrasing here, and he spoke very highly of Terry Kath and even said he thought Kath played better on a six-string guitar better than he did. We lost Terry Kath to an accidental gunshot wound, he accidentally shot himself in a mishap. RIP: Terry Kath 💔🎸🔥U R Missed
But after the band lost Terry K. Peter Catera the Lead singer and bassist stepped up and became the frontman after the death of Kath and the band's sound completely changed. Here's a song that demonstrates this fact, if interested. "Chicago - You're The Inspiration (Official Music Video)" (by the channel: Chicago Band) --And as always, I enjoyed hanging out and rocking with you two. Thanks for sharing. peace out~
It doesn’t matter which Chicago song I listen to, I tear up. My dad loved them. I miss him every single day.
ONE OF THE GREATEST CLASSIC ROCK SOLO'S OF ALL TIME BY ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED GUTARISTS (RIP TERRY KATH) HENDRIX WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID HE PLAYS BETTER THEN ME AND HAD A SOULFUL BLUESY ROCK VOICE, AMAZING COMBO, ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRAVISTY'S IN ROCK HISTORY 🎸
Throughout the 70s every High School marching band in America played this song ✌🏻
Great reaction. RIP Terry Kath.
Terry Kath died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. It's believed it was unintentional as it appeared he thought it wasn't loaded at the time when he jokingly demonstrated Russian Roulette thinking it was fully unloaded.
If you watched the original Scooby Doo growing up this song was on a few episodes.
He was writing the song…looked at the clock and did not know if it was 25 minutes or 6 minutes until 4 in the morning…he was writing for so long…the lyrics are about him writing the song.
It was actually 25 or 26 minutes to 4
The 1970 Tanglewood live show will let you know what great musicians Chicago were. But Leonid and Friends is an awesome tribute band and this song was a break out hit for them.
🌸 if you're interested in doing more Chicago, two of my favorites are:
*Saturday in the Park &
*does anyone really know what time it is
both of those are really terrific!
Saw them perform this live in concert when I was 14, Doobie Brothers was the little known opening band at the time. I am way old now...way old.
Hahahaha Ally! I remember being in a music store back in 1969, and a girl from my neighborhood came in and was browsing the sheet music selection. She said her piano teacher wanted her to learn a new song called "Your Song", by some guy named Elton John. I told her (truthfully) that I hadn't heard of the song, or the guy! Little did we know... !!!
@@williamj.sheehan2001 Indeed, so much was yet to come. What an era we have been through ♥
@@allybandy3047 You bet! And we're so lucky to have lived it "in real time"!!
Great song and reaction. Happy Saturday!
Story goes, Peter Cetera went to a Dodgers game, got into a fight and had his jaw broken just prior to going to the studio to record this song so, on the album version his jaw was wired shut
He’s trying to write a song but his mind is blank and the time is 25 or 26 minutes to 4.
Simple.
Facts keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm wrote the lyrics and trombonist James Pankow did the music 🔥
Hey guys, really enjoyed your review here! This one featured Peter Cetera (the bass player) on the lead vocal. You can hear him on "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" and many other songs as well.
Terry Kath (the guitar player) sang lead on various other songs, such as "Make Me Smile." Terry had a very powerful baritone-ish voice, somewhat reminiscent of Ray Charles, actually.
Terry and Peter famously traded "call-and-response" vocal lines with each other on the song "Dialogue."
And then there's a third vocalist, Robert Lamm (the keyboard player), whose super-smooth voice can be heard on songs like "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" and "Beginnings."
One very cool song, called "What's This World Coming To?", features all three of those guys rotating the lead vocals.
I think that vocal versatility was a big part of what made Chicago so special.
"Saturday in the Park", "Make Me Smile" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" are also killer tracks from that '69-'73 era.
Oh yeah that's the three!!!!!
Questions 67 & 68, Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon (Make Me Smile), Dialogue Pt 1 & 2, absolute bangers, pre Terry Kath passing away. After that bassist Peter Cetera, vocals on this song, steered them into a softer “pop” rock style. Call on Me is one of their softer style, is my favorite, and Terry Kath was on guitar for that. Chicago is iconic, in all their stylistic iterations.
Ceteras song are the most "heavy" they did,just sayin. A real Chicago should known that.
if nothing else .... at least watch this --- live at Tanglewood.
Grew up in Chicawgo.....they were my first favorite band for CTA, And then Chicago, their 2nd album. Great band...1970....even better LIVE!
Their biggest hit was probably If You Leave Me Now
Terry Kath was the amazing guitarist who died very young in his early 30’s. He was also a great singer - check out Make Me Smile to hear his vocals! ❤️🔥
I suggested Terry Kath when you were doing the best Guitarist brackets..sadly he passed away young..another one gone too soon! Live at Tanglewood is one of the best guitar solo performances I have ever seen!!
The name is the time of day it was when they were working on this song.
They used to be pretty hard rock. Chicago Transit Authority was name in beginning CTA. After guitarist died from gun accident their sound changed to basically soft rock. the lead singer Peter Cetera went solo and for whatever reasons hasn’t performed with the members that are left.
25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4 AM. Up all night and still awake and working on a song. This is the result.
Peter cetera went on and did the karate kid song...glory of love.
🌸 love you guys! thanks for all that you do 🤍
If you want to hear dissonant/esoteric guitar, try "Free Form Guitar" from their first album. Kind of hard to listen to, but it made it into their album
Terry Kath was the Original Guitar God....Fella`s, you have to experience the Live version at Tanglewood......Terry was a BEAST!
Greenday also was clearly inspired by the main riff of this song. Brainstew has the same progression.
Keyboardist Robert Lamm wrote this song. He was up all night trying to write a song. So it was a song about writer's block. 25 or 6 to 4 was.the time on the clock (in the AM).
Guitarist Terry Kath was one of the greatest. Sadly, he accidentally shot himself to death on January of 1978.
They had three excellent vocalists back in their early days. This song was sungl by Peter Cetera. Terry Kath same some songs too. Checkniut his soulful vocals on "Make Me Smile" and "Colour My World." Robert Lamm sings lead on the song 'Saturday in the Park" which was.one of their early biggest hits. This song was early 1970s. Maybe 1970. Also check out "Feeling Stronger Every Day."
When I was a little kid in the 70s, all kids learning how to play guitar started with the opening of smoke on the water, stairway to Heaven, or this song. All three killer riffs.
You're basically spot on! He's confused what time it is. And the guitarist was truly great, but passed away ages ago. The singer on that tune stayed with them a long time, but ended up with a solo career as well, and Chicago became adult contemporary with a lot of love songs later in the 80's.
They call themselves a rock band with horns, which also incorporated elements of classical, jazz, R&B and pop music. All but one were born in Chicago, all were raised and schooled in Chicago, and the trombonist, trumpet, sax/flute and keyboard players all attended music schools in Chicago. Started in '67 as "Chicago Transit Authority", which is the title of their first album (CTA, or Chicago I), but had to change their name to "Chicago" in '69 due to name infringement rights lawsuit from the actual Chicago Transit Authority. This song is from their 2nd album, "Chicago II". They were the first rock band that sold out attendance at Carnegie Hall in 1971 - for a week. In 2008, Billboard ranked Chicago #13 in Top 100 Artists in the singles charts. And in 2015 Chicago was ranked #9 in Top 100 in album chart success. In terms of chart success, Chicago is one of the most successful American bands in RIAA and Billboard history, 2nd only to The Beach Boys, with 23 gold, 18 platinum and 8 multi-platinum albums. Chicago is also one of the world's best-selling groups of all time having sold over 100 million records. Their first album, CTA released in '69, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014; the original lineup of Chicago was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016; and in 2017 Lamm (keyboards), Pankow (trombone) and Cetera (bass) were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They write all Chicago's songs, lyrics and music compositions. Jimi Hendrix, on several interviews, remarked that he thought Terry Kath was a better guitar player (self-taught). The group has received 10 Grammy nominations, winning one for the song "If you leave me now". The group received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. If you like horns, check out "Questions 67 & 68" (also written by Lamm and Cetera on vocals); if you like bass, check out "Feeling stronger every day" (written by Cetera and Pankow, vocals by Cetera). But there are plenty of great songs from this group - 69 to 78 being their best/most popular years. After the death of Kath in '78 the group focused more on ballads utilizing Cetera's awesome tenor vocals ("If you leave me now, You're the Inspiration, Hard to say I'm sorry"), most notably. Deep Rabbit hole with Chicago.
25 or 26 minutes til 4AM😉 I would say rock eventually turning into soft rock. "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" one of their best songs.
Intro riff sounds like "Summer In the City", love Joe Cocker's rendition
Anybody who thinks Chicago is Pop rock, or soft rock, is only familiar with the stuff from the 80s. Chicago from 1968, to 1978, led by Terry Kath, is one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Listen to, any of the first albums, and your mind will be absolutely blown. Terry is an absolute guitar hero.
Terry Kath was a gift from the Music Gods!!! R.I.P.!!!🎵🎼🎶🎙🎧🎹🎤🥁🎸🎸🎸🔥🔥🤘🤘
You guys need to do the live version from Tanglewood 1970 and Don’t pause during Terry Kath’s guitar solo.
Twenty five or (twenty) six to four means the time somewhere between 03:34-03:-35.
For the song title, picture an analog clock. 25 or 6 = 25 or 26. Definitely watch this Live at Tanglewood. RIP Terry Kath.
Make Me Smile is another great piece - Terry Kath was straight up nasty. Wow that green day random melodic connection was Crazy lol
My dad loved this song and played it on drums perfectly. His jam band of his work buddies would play this song.
I love this song, a real Masterpiece. 🎶🎶🎶👍🙋♀️
I remember being in high-school pep band and playing this at basketball games.....the good old days (1992 😁)
Well, that was just a whole buncha fun! Thanks fellas
Guys, Led Zeppelin based Dazed and Confused on an acoustic folk song by Jake Holmes who claims Zeppelin ripped that song off after they heard it as he was playing on the same Bill as Zeppelin in New York, and Jimmy Page became obsessed with it. So that's how they did it. Meanwhile 25 or 6 to 4 was written by Robert Lamm of Chicago. They came out in the same year, so who influenced who is hard to say. Obviously Zeppelin influenced many. The songs are pretty radically different. Terry Kath was an elite guitarist. I'd call Chicago leaning toward prog. but more in a pop sensibility. But what do I know.
Actually, "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" and "25 Or 6 To 4" are both in Am , and have a similar chord progression, so I can see how Zeppelin popped into his head. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" also follows this same chord progression, but in a different key signature...
@@lisarainbow9703 OK that's interesting.
The first album is one of the best albums ever released. All but one song should be reacted to. Hi from ATL 15:15
"Free Form Guitar" is that one song that either amazes or annoys the listener. Terry Kath was experimenting with that tapping technique others did before Terry and Eddie Van Halen made popular.
Although Chicago's version of I'm a Man is FIRE 🔥, that sang will always be owned by Steve Winwood as a teenager with the Spencer Davis Group
Chicago was a blues influenced rock band until guitarist Terry Kath died in 1978. After that Peter Cetera who was lead vocal on this song, brought in David Foster to produce the band and they went more towards pop.
25 or (2)6 to 4 (am) from writers block.
The band was working on writing songs late into the night. They were very tired and experiencing some writer's block. One of the band members asked what time it was, and another, looking at the clock on the wall, said "It's like 25 or (2)6 to 4." - 3:34 or 3:35 a.m.
Chicago started out as a more harder rocking, experimental, band. After their guitarist passed away, they did evolve more soft pop with lots of top 40 hits. I would recommend the song Beginnings as another one to check out.
Yeah, the guitaring is similar to "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You" by Led Zeppelin, which came out the year before this song. This song came out around 1970, and the LZ song came out around 1969.
13:10 yooooo that Green Day song you just referenced has the same guitar riff in it. You literally just conjured a subliminal memory by linking the message of the songs 😝 yesssss !!!
This song came out in 1969!😎😎😎😎
This song was released in 1970, and written in 1969 by keyboard player Robert Lamm. It is a song about writer's block. He wrote a song about writing a song and it was 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4 AM (3:35 AM - 25 minutes to 4 AM, or 3:36 AM - 26 minutes to 4 AM) when he looked at the clock across the room. Staring out the window of his rented Hollywood home at the flashing neon lights of the city.
When they were originally The Chicago Transit Authority, they were the house band at The Whiskey A Go-Go in LA. One night, Jimi Hendrix was in the audience. Jimi was standing in the hallway as the band was coming out of the dressing room to do their second set. Jimi went to their sax player Walt Parazaider and said "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?" They said YEAH! and became Jimi's opening act on a national stadium tour.
Go dig up their 1969 debut album when they were known as The Chicago Transit Authority and play these two tracks: "Introduction" and "Poem 58". Guitar player Terry Kath wrote "Introduction" and sang lead vocals. He was called "The White Ray Charles" by his bandmates. Soulful baritone voice! "Poem 58" is nine minutes of PURE FUNK led by Terry Kath on guitar, Danny Seraphine on drums, and Peter Cetera on bass. Kath's guitar will make you want an ice pack for your jaw after you pick it up from the floor! Also, the closing track of that debut double-LP is "Liberation", a FOURTEEN-MINUTE instrumental jam!
Iconic song. Love this song so much! Love your reactions!
I saw them live in 98 on a rotating stage. I could hardly wait for them to play this and they killed it.
Since I heard you asking about this sounding like Led Zeppelin off the bat, yeah it does. This song, with "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" by Zeppelin, and also Green Day's "Brain Stew" has the same sonic foundation. Kicker is...Donovan's "Hampstead Incident" probably did it first.
You should do the Tanglewood live version. It's superior to other versions.
Missed the chance to watch the live version of this. Hard to believe, but even better in the live version. You will see why.
Very similar chord progression to 'Babe I'm going to leave you' by Led zepp, no doubt. The live version is insane with the guitar.
Saturday in the park is pretty well known
For me 25 or 6 to 4 was the bi ge on "angel dust" stuck! Spinning room , couldn't speak trying to leave , again stuck
Terry Kath the man, the legend epitomized Chicago before he sadly passed away, live at Tanglewood a must !! ✌🏻
Fear Factory!!!! Powershifter!!!!
I am certain there are numerous comments like this one but I have to add one more-you must check out the live version of this tune, live at Tanglewood, to watch one of the best guitar solos ever performed. Terry Kath was a genius on the guitar, RIP.
How much should I take?Should I try to do some more?It's getting close to 4 o'clock am... With writer's block , but more mushrooms helped out Obviously what a great song
2000 peeps will say Tanglewood and they are right. Say about 1970, just incredible
Yep, July 1970 for the Tanglewood show. There are excerpts on-line, but the full show in sequence is a must-see and is also on RUclips.
It's actually 25 or 26 minutes to 4am, he has writers block and can't figure out the words. It's classic rock.
Lamm said the song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 a.m.
🌸 the title of the song is in reference to them sitting up late late at night early a.m. writing music and it was 25 or 6 to 4:00 a.m.
25 or 6 to 4 is the time they wrote it. Approximately 3:35 or 3:34 AM. 25 or 26 minutes until 4am.
Chicago provided you with the best intro to Chicago: "Introduction." The first song off the first album. Highly recommended.
You are right man , the opening riff of this the break in Zeps Babe I'm Gonna Leave You. Page himself said so.😊
That is the late great Terry Kath on guitar. RIP Terry. You are missed.
The song was written about a night they were writing music and doing coke and it was 24,25, to 4 am in the morning
Make Me Smile next. The end is freaking killer. Been listening to it since I was a little kid. The end of the song always sounded like like an old Western movie and the victorious Hero is riding off into the sunset. Listen and tell me I am wrong. 😊
Actually really impressed you pointed that out with the GreenDay song it's actually the same riff.
There's a quote I always think of when I hear Chicago, spoken by Trace Beaulieu from MST3K fame: "He's hornier than an early Chicago album!" Good choice guys!