It's a song about writer's block. He is up all night trying to find inspiration- he finally does at 25 (or 26) minutes to 4 am- and writes a song about trying to write a song. ETA: Before digital clocks became popular, time after the half hour was often related as x minutes to the next hour, so 3:35 am would be seen as 25 to 4.
I was literally screaming at the screen, lol! I know I understood the reference to time right away when I first heard the song. Took me a while to get the writer's block, someone may have told me. But....kids today.
The band was formed in 1967 through the creativity of a group of DePaul University music students as a musical experiment. An interesting connection to Notre Dame University was due to the tutelage of Fr. George Wiskirchen, C.S.C., and former band director to these young players. Thus the heavy reliance on the brass instrumentation. Also the rhythms and drumming was very crisp as in marching bands. Many of their songs were written as college students and drawn from their experiences of all night cram sessions , band practices, etc... I graduated in 1977 and they were so popular, we hired a Chicago Cover band for our senior Prom. It was a smash hit!
I first saw these guys in 1972 (my first Concert) and then saw them live 3 or 4 more times in my life. Whenever I hear this song I am air drumming the entire song!
Thank you. As a young man (10 years old) I almost quit playing drums because we were only allowed to be a rhythm instrument. Then I heard Danny Seraphine. Then a couple years later Neil Peart. I'm still playing at 60.
Jimi Hendrix was mesmerised by Kath’s guitar playing, going so far as to claim that he thought the Chicago guitarist played better than he did, naming Kath the “best guitarist in the universe”. High praise indeed.
Gotta see the "live from Tanglewood" version. Friggin awesome!!! Also, pretty much every song from their first album "Chicago Transit Authority", which was the band's original name before the bus company complained. 😂
YESSSSSSS!!! Live at Tanglewood is even more amazing. And yes, watch the WHOLE beginning to hear great guitar and bass. Terry Kath is the most underrated guitar player of all time!!! He’s one of my favorites. And imo, Danny Seraphine on drugs is also not appreciated nearly enough. Thanks for taking these trips back to the 70’s, my teenage years ❤️
The level of musicianship in this band is off the chart. In the 70s, this level of musicianship was pretty much the norm. The live version at Tanglewood is awesome. Another great song from the Tanglewood concert is "Make Me Smile".
I have to slightly disagree with one thing: finding serious musical talent in bands was way more common back then, but Chicago was in the very top tier and well above the norm. Practically every musician they had could have been the big draw in another band. The talent, skill, and dedication to the craft in that group was wild. 100% agree with the Tanglewood "Make Me Smile", though. Terry Kath, man...
Boy have you got that right. The musicianship in many of the classic 70s groups were off the charts. Just excellent. Then compare to now. Most of the 'musicians' today are only successful due to auto tune and computer generated studio fixes that cover the mediocre talent. It's really sad and why I really dread AI taking over
"Make Me Smile" is part of "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon." Although it was released as a single, the band intended for it to be heard within the context of the suite. Fantastic concert but the sound quality is no match for the studio album, especially the 2016 Steven Wilson mix.
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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35).
Songwriter Robert Lamm was living in a rented home in Hollywood. After a gig, he was up in the middle of the night sitting on the floor and staring out the window at the flashing lights of the Hollywood signs in the distance. That was the flashing lights against the sky and his staring blindly into space looking at those lights. He was looking at an old clock across the room from him and was trying to make out what the time was on the hands of the clock and it was either 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4:00 a.m. Robert was literally writing a song about writing a song, experiencing writer's block and searching for something to say for the lyrics. He had worked on the melody first and was trying to come up with what to say in the song. He used the time of the morning, 25 or 6 to 4, as a placeholder when he presented the song to the rest of the band in the morning. It was a throwaway line at first but the all agreed to keep that in the lyrics. It was not a drug reference as some believed, but just the time of the morning on an old analog clock.
Chicago had top ten songs from the first album to Chicago 19 multiple top tens more than any band besides three dog night, another great Chicago tune is no tell lover
One of the best guitar solos in rock. The wah pedal part is off the charts. Chicago has so many great songs. Saturday in the Park, Colour My World, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is.... too many greats to name.
It's in response to Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is? from their debut album, 1969, called, Chicago Transit Authority. The real Transit Authority took exception and they changed to simply Chicago. The response time check was released later in 1970. 25 or 6 to 4. Looking at a clock with hands, it was 25 or 26 minutes to four o'clock.
Chicago’s song “Saturday In The Park” is musically superb and lyrical almost Utopian. “It was really kind of that peace and love thing that happened in Central Park and in many parks all over the world, perhaps on a Saturday, where people just relax and enjoy each other’s presence, and the activities we observe and the feelings we get from feeling a part of a day like that.”
OMG! Now that you know what it is about, you have to listen to it again. You guys struggling to grasp the meaning of the lyrics was hysterical for some unknown reason! Made my day!
This also goes to show how amazing Peter Ceteras vocals are bc right before recording this song they were out at a bar when they got into an altercation and Peter got his jaw broken and had to have it wired shut and they couldn’t wait so they had to record it and he had to sing with a clinched jaw.
This whole album is fire. You really should listen to the whole thing. I think it's the best album Chicago ever did. They have a deep, deep catalogue. Triple-tonguing on the trumpets, and that guitar solo is on of the best rock solo's ever. This was two LP's back in the day. One whole side was a suite called Ballet for a Girl in Buchannan which included songs that became hit singles. There must be at least 5 hit singles on this album. Color My World, Saturday in the Park, Wake Up Sunshine, and this song, 24 or 6 to Four (a time reference from before digital clocks). This album also has some of the most unique song endings ever recorded! It was really designed to be listened to as a whole.
It never gets old hearing Terry Kath just go off in his own world with that guitar. And Don's right on the money at 11:40. Every musician in Chicago was an amazing talent, and having all of them together was wild. The more you listen to their music, the more cool things you find layered in.
It was a song writing session that went way into the morning hours. Realizing it was 25 or 26 minutes to 4 in the morning, he was asking himself should I keep going or get some sleep.
You'd think the Chicago Transit Authority would be thrilled that they called themselves that. I guess they just couldn't pass up a chance to sue somebody.
Chicago was uniquely a group of highly trained college musicians, that's why the music is impeccable. That Guitar Rift is by Terry Kath, an amazing talent who sadly passed away young. Perter Cetera was the lead singer for a long time, but they all had great vocals.
All but Kath who was self taught. But publications of the time assert that Kath was self conscious of the fact that he was not trained but the rest of the band were in awe of him and his talent.
The creative struggle - the song reflects the frustration and pressure experienced by a writer who has reached a creative roadblock. Feverishly trying to describe "the process of writing the song that" he was working on, he looked at his watch and saw it was 25 or 26 minutes to 4 in the morning. Thus, the song's title was borne from that specific moment. This was taken from an interview with the song writer, hope it helps.
I'm watching this on my TV and had to bring this up on my pad so I could comment. When this came out, every marching band in the US had this music in their repetiore. I've played this many,many, times in football games, concerts. You couldn't go anywhere and not hear this song. Thank you for taking me back nearly 50 yrs. And it's still a great song.
In an interview I saw years ago they explained they needed a song to finish the album. This was just what was going on while they were trying to write the song. When it was finished the clock said 25 or 6 to 4
And Chicago II was (and is) awesome. It stands up to all the decades that followed. The fluidity of Terry Kath's guitar was stunning. Here is 25 or 6 to 4 at Tanglewood in 1970... ruclips.net/video/Lba2g_u1Ckg/видео.html This was back before "dancers" and "set designers'. The boys just came out and played. Terry Kath in the denim shirt... I can imagine in the writing they wrote 'T. Kath amazing solo goes here'....
Old garage band dude here from the '70s we used to do our music first and then do our lyrics last and I think that's what they did they just got the jam going and needed something to say Great reaction rock on
Tanglewood live concert is the deep dive. Someone has already said it, but writers block at 25 or 6 to 4am. They toured with Jimmy Hendricks. Guitarists Teryy Kath and Hendricks loved/ admired/afraid of each other. Hendricks asked Chicago to tour with his band. More Chicago please.
Chicago & The Eagles are two of the most EPIC LEGENDARY BANDS ever!! My 2 dream concerts but their ticket prices are literally untouchable for me🙄😂 SO PHENOMENAL!!♥️🎶
I don't know what you mean. I just paid $49 for each for our tickets to see Chicago & EWF in an arena in southern california in september. I suppose it'd be a lot of money if you had to have super great seats, but these arenas you can hear and see them very well from anywhere. So yes, Mine are up in row N in the top section, but it's all good.The sound is good and they have the big screens. Where else are you going to see 2 legendary bands for 49 bucks a piece? Plus, they play 6 songs together on the same stage during the encore. Playing 3 EW&F and 3 Chicago songs together.
I see others have already covered that he's trying to write a song in the wee hours of the morning and has writer's block. And yes, 25 or 6 to 4 is the time of day. 25 or 26 minutes to 4:00 am.
Supposedly this song is supposed to mean 25 or 26 mins before 4am! Not being able to sleep. At least that’s what I was told years ago! 🤷🏻♀️ Not sure if that’s true or not tho! Chicago has some CLASSICS! ❤
That's exactly what He's saying time is it 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4 25 or 6 to 4 Trying to write a song but nothing is coming to him fucking genius
The dude is up in the middle of the night trying to write a song. He's friggin' exhausted. Through blurry eyes he looks at the clock and sees that it's either 3:25 or maybe it's just 3:24 am. Therefore it's 25 minutes (or maybe it's 26 minutes) until 4 am. So the song title should be read this way ... 25 minutes (or 26 minutes) until 4 am.
I saw this group in concert Aug 2023 and they are still amazing. They put on an amazing show. The show was at 6000+ feet elevation and Neil Donell (new lead singer) held a high note sooo long we were stunned. He joked at the end of the song that he lives at sea level--so that says a lot about his vocal prowess! I'm so glad I got to see them, they are amazing in concert.
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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o’clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35).[3][4] Because of the unique phrasing of the song's title, "25 or 6 to 4" has been interpreted to mean everything from a quantity of illicit drugs to the name of a famous person in code
From Wikipedia. " (Robert) 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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o’clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35)." Although some folks have interpreted this song as a drug song too.
Chicago is amazing!! If u have ever seen the movie The Karate Kid, u are definitely familiar with the song Glory of love! They have a lot of great songs! Saturday in the Park, You're the Inspiration, Hard to say I'm sorry, If you leave me now, & Feelin stronger everyday are just a few of my favs!
Yeah, and then Demon Dogs (RIP) under the Fullerton El had some of their instruments and gold records on the wall, and only played Chicago songs on the juke box. I grew up near DePaul. Last time I went back to visit, I saw so much of that neighborhood has changed.
I believe it was about songwriting. A long session of group work where someone asked “what time is it?” and another squinted at the clock and said “25 or 6 to 4”
The band first rehearsed the song at the Whisky a Go Go. 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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35
Jimmy Hendrix use to say that Terry Kath was his favorite guitarist "Jimi Hendrix cited Terry Kath as one of his favorite guitarists, and considered Kath to be "the best guitarist in the universe"." From the Wikipedia
Chicago band members were all top notch musicians. I got to see them 3 times, twice while Terry Kath, guitarist was alive and latest was in 2016 when they toured with Earth, Wind & Fire.
I've seen them with Kath and Cetera and without. I saw them in August 1973 at the Chicago Stadium. The Pointer Sisters who were just starting out were their opening act and a huge amount of the audience were booing them because they wanted to see Chicago. I laugh when I think about it now because back then no one realized that they would hit it big. I also saw Chicago again in June of 1992 on a double bill with The Moody Blues at an outdoor venue called Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates, IL. Both great concerts.
I love it.I played this 100 times in high school pep band, half times at basketball games. Our band director, Van Bialon was a big horn guy. This and Bill Chase with the horntastic Get it On.
Exactly. He's staring bleary-eyed at an old school clock (not digital), unable to see the exact time because he can't quite make out the position of the minute hand.
I appreciate that you guys don't just go to the internet to look up the song meaning. Back in the day when we didn't have internet, we were doing it just like that. We'd have to talk to our friends and figure it out on our own, often without the lyrics unless they were in the liner notes for the album, but many times they weren't. Eventually you might hear the band interviewed or read something about the song meaning but often it was just a mystery. The thing is, that never ruined the song - we just accepted it or made up our own interpretation, just like you'd do with any work of art.
I was a weird kid in the 90’s, growing up listening to Chicago. All my friends were listening to the radio gaga and I was like ‘have you heard Questions 67 and 68?’
There's a kick-ass live version of this Chicago did with Earth, Wind and Fire. In fact they do several songs together in the same concert worth seeking for fans of either band.
You should listen to the studio recording of this song. Live versions can never duplicate the mix done in the studio and that's the way we heard it on the radio in 1970. This song was recorded in August for the self titled album "Chicago". The album was released in January 1970 and this song was released as a single in June1970. This live version is inferior to the studio recording. The band is from Chicago and was originally known as 'Chicago Transit Authority'. The CTA is the name of the mass transit system of Chicago, IL. They threatened to legal action if the band didn't cease and desist using that name, so they shortened it to 'Chicago'. The name of their debut double album is Chicago Transit Authority, recorded January 27-30, 1969 and released April 28, 1969 on the Columbia Records label. It didn't do well at first but fortunately, this during the advent of FM radio and eventually it sold 2 million copies on its initial pressing. The impact of FM radio can not be understated, it is what was directly responsible for the explosion of album sales and relegated the 45 rpm disc to a marketing tool to initiate /invigorate album sales. This was the beginning of the Golden Age of the music business.
This was the first song I played in pep band I play tuba...I loved the bass line. And it was in reference to the time he figures he had the 'ah ha'! moment.
I have a story about this. I rarely saw my father. One day he picked me up and handed me this 45 (not a 🔫 lol) and said you like this band? I was like yeah, thanks. I wouldn't have cared if I hated it just the fact that he thought about me long enough to get and give it to me was good enough for me. I was about 12 and we had a very up and down relationship mostly down. About 5 years later when I was 17 we started to really work on things, like forgiveness. But, he died that same year. Here's to good old Dad. 🍻
See this is whats so great about this time in music history...i loved the Beatles ,Glam Rocker David Bowie, The mighty Led Zep and this Chicago! Titally different ,ALL FRICKIN COOL! Hey we all partook back thenincluding all these artists!
So the story goes that the band needed one more song to finish the album. They were working well into the night when they asked the janitor what time it was...he replied ... 25 or 6 (26) til 4am. It's a song about trying to write the last song for the album
The song is about him trying to write this song. He was up all night, his eyes are crossing and he looks at the clock to see what time it is. He couldn’t read the clock and thought it said it was 25 or 6 to 4:00 am. He couldn’t tell. He started getting in that goofy stage of being tired, thought it was funny and put that in the song. Perfect.
He's pulling an all nighter trying to write a song! Check out another group from the era called Blood, Sweat & Tears. More great rock horns. Good old school stuff.
I love this song, the horns are great! I believe he's referencing the time. 25 or 26 minutes to 4, when he gets off work. Very underrated band and song!
Love this era of Chicago! 25 or 6 to 4 was my favorite song to play in high school pep band at basketball halftimes, lol. Lots of loud brass blasting the heck out of a small gym. Oh, and Stevie’s Sir Duke too!🎉
I really dont see how this is so hard to figure out if you just listen to the words, jeez! 25 or 26 minutes till 4 AM He's trying to write words to a new song - THIS one!
Top ten rock song of all time. Can’t be beat. Musicianship and instrumentation top notch. You should be on headphones for this‼️ And if you listen to it ten times in a row, you still won’t be bored. Thanks for the reaction. Live at Tanglewood for the stage version.
People have speculated that the song's lyrics are drug related, but this has been largely dismissed. At the time, LSD 25 was prevalent, as was methequalone in 400 mg.(ie, qualudes). On the side of the pills was the number 624. But according to group member Robert Lamm, "the title is "just a reference to the time of day" and that "the song is about writing a song. It's not mystical." The time of day in reference is 3:35 AM (or 3:34 AM), which would then be 25 (or 26) minutes to 4 AM."
Back in the day, all clocks were analog and we used to say things like "it's a quarter to 5" which means 15 minutes (quarter hour) until 5 or 4:45. This is saying it is 3:34 or 3:35. The song is a stream of consciousness of a songwriter early in the morning who can't get the lyrics to flow so he just starts writing what is happening and the tag/title is him looking at the clock and seeing the little hand halfway between 3 and 4 and the big hand just past the 7. Us old folks call this 25 or 26 minutes until 4 (that's a bit specific because we would have just said "half past 3".
THAT BRASS!!!!! 😍Writer block on his music with a time constraint, 25 minutes, or is it 26, til 4 a.m. and the song aint a comin' but he wont give up, and THIS is the reslut, 25 or 6 to 4. a CLASSIC If THAT is the result of not being able to write a song, ...WOW!
@@1BobsYourUncle Actually, on another RUclips channel, Professor of Rock, it was revealed that the recording session was set up for a time during when Cetera's jaw was wired. It was also revealed that the way he sang that day and all days after, with his teeth clenched, became his signature singing style.
Robert Lamm (one of the founding members of Chicago), 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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 3:35. Peter Cetera (bass) sang this song. Terry Kath was the guitar player. Danny Seraphine was the drummer.
One of the best songs in the history of the world, from one of the absolute best groups of all time!! ❤❤😊😊it’s actually the approximate time that he finished the song. Working all night on lyrics, music, prob a little high, lol, it was about 25 or 26 minutes to 4(am) . Brilliant, don’t you think. 😊
It's 25 or 26 minutes to 4am.....He was sitting on the floor writing this song and it was almost 4am.../chicago has many great songs,, Saturday In The Park, Hard to Say I'm sorry, If you leave me now.....and many other. I just saw them last year and it was an amazing concert...Northern Ca
I was oblivious to Chicago back in the heyday - they were just always on the radio, didn't pay much attention. Then I saw them live and they were just absolutely phenomenal, still are. So many hits, if you get a chance to see them, go for it. Amazing ❤🔥
Yes the Tanglewood concert version of this song is an absolute must. Would also like to mention here that there is a Russian tribute band called Leonid & Friends who started out covering Chicago's music and one of the first ones they did was 25 or 6 to 4. They did such a fantastic job of it, just playing by ear without sheet music, that even members of today's Chicago were impressed. Worth checking it out.
Love Chicago! I got to see them live at the LA Forum when they had just released their 3rd album (double white). So much energy and such great music. I never saw anyone sitting down the whole time. Everyone was up and dancing at their seats.
So funny you said staring at the clock, thought maybe you had figured it out! Y'all looked like two bobble head dolls!!! Loved it! Great reaction as always! Still love the music of my generation! 🤠
I love Chicago because of the horns! That’s what got me into them as a teen. Back then I had no idea what this song was about but loved it anyway! Didn’t have any way to look up lyrics back then unless you had the album and it had the lyrics on the sleeve. I had the 45.
It is even more obvious than you are taking it...Robert Lamm Chicago's songwriter was up in the middle of the night (at 3:35 or 3:34am) writing this song. The lyrics were originally just a placeholder for better lyrics....but turned out they were perfect as is. Robert Lamm...“I just, I looked across the room and there was an old Grandmother’s clock on the wall,” he continued. “I couldn’t quite make out what the time was, but the hands on the clock were somewhere around 25 or 26 to 4 a.m., and I just began to jot down what the hell I was doing there, and I thought, ‘Well, for now, I’m just going to describe the process of writing this song, and I’ll figure out what the lyrics are going to be later,’ but I didn’t need to."
CHICAGO HAD THREE LEAD SINGERS WHO TRADED LEAD VOCALS. THIS WAS PETER CETERA, THE BASS PLAYER. TERRY KATH, LEAD GUITAR AND ROBERT LAMM KEYBOARDS ALSO SING. AND THEY HAD 3 BRASS/WOODWINDS PLAYERS. ONE OF MY FIRST FAV GROUPS IN THE EARLY 70S.
It's a song about writer's block. He is up all night trying to find inspiration- he finally does at 25 (or 26) minutes to 4 am- and writes a song about trying to write a song. ETA: Before digital clocks became popular, time after the half hour was often related as x minutes to the next hour, so 3:35 am would be seen as 25 to 4.
The young ones don't know this, ty for explaining to them
I was literally screaming at the screen, lol! I know I understood the reference to time right away when I first heard the song. Took me a while to get the writer's block, someone may have told me. But....kids today.
Right in 1
Instead of reading the lyrics, Google what the song means.
While suffering from writers block, he wrote a song about suffering from writers block- a lyrical "Reverse Uno" card if you will.
The band was formed in 1967 through the creativity of a group of DePaul University music students as a musical experiment. An interesting connection to Notre Dame University was due to the tutelage of Fr. George Wiskirchen, C.S.C., and former band director to these young players. Thus the heavy reliance on the brass instrumentation. Also the rhythms and drumming was very crisp as in marching bands. Many of their songs were written as college students and drawn from their experiences of all night cram sessions , band practices, etc... I graduated in 1977 and they were so popular, we hired a Chicago Cover band for our senior Prom. It was a smash hit!
Everyone is talking about vocals, horns, guitar… but freaking DANNY SERAPHINE ON DRUMS IS A BEAST !!
I first saw these guys in 1972 (my first Concert) and then saw them live 3 or 4 more times in my life. Whenever I hear this song I am air drumming the entire song!
absolutely dude sure is ! one of my favorite drummers and i never knew his name.
Thank you. As a young man (10 years old) I almost quit playing drums because we were only allowed to be a rhythm instrument. Then I heard Danny Seraphine. Then a couple years later Neil Peart. I'm still playing at 60.
Jimi Hendrix was mesmerised by Kath’s guitar playing, going so far as to claim that he thought the Chicago guitarist played better than he did, naming Kath the “best guitarist in the universe”. High praise indeed.
"...their horns are one set of lungs, and the guitarist is better than ME!" I believe was one of the quotes
Tru dat!
It’s my understanding that he also said “this guy blows my mind”.
My dad loved Chicago. After Terry Kath died, my dad (still) refuses to acknowledge them as Chicago.
They were hoping to record together...
You need to hear the live version and watch the live video it's amazing ! He is one of the best guitar players ever! Terry Kath, died young 💔❤️
I am pretty sure I hear the lead singer on the live version had some dental work and jaw wired up. Know if that's true?
@@greatwhitewing I don't know for sure Peter Cereta
@@greatwhitewingI’ve not heard that about Cetera.
I was hoping they were gonna do the live version when I saw the title of the video, too! It's so freaking good. ✌❤
Yes
Saturday in the Park is another great one from Chicago. They had one of the best horn sections, competing with Earth, Wind, and Fire!
Loved Earth Wind and Fire also...
toured w them for a while. i have the dvd. 🙂
Let's not forget Kool and the Gang and the Commadores horn sections.
Gotta see the "live from Tanglewood" version. Friggin awesome!!! Also, pretty much every song from their first album "Chicago Transit Authority", which was the band's original name before the bus company complained. 😂
YESSSSSSS!!! Live at Tanglewood is even more amazing. And yes, watch the WHOLE beginning to hear great guitar and bass.
Terry Kath is the most underrated guitar player of all time!!! He’s one of my favorites. And imo, Danny Seraphine on drugs is also not appreciated nearly enough.
Thanks for taking these trips back to the 70’s, my teenage years ❤️
Yes definitely the best
The live version of Tanglewood terry Kath guitar solo is amazing phenomenal work and ahead of his time
Exactly 💯 this performance!!..
Absolutely MUST SEE the live version---you will appreciate them 1000% more.
The level of musicianship in this band is off the chart. In the 70s, this level of musicianship was pretty much the norm. The live version at Tanglewood is awesome. Another great song from the Tanglewood concert is "Make Me Smile".
I have to slightly disagree with one thing: finding serious musical talent in bands was way more common back then, but Chicago was in the very top tier and well above the norm. Practically every musician they had could have been the big draw in another band. The talent, skill, and dedication to the craft in that group was wild.
100% agree with the Tanglewood "Make Me Smile", though. Terry Kath, man...
Boy have you got that right. The musicianship in many of the classic 70s groups were off the charts. Just excellent.
Then compare to now. Most of the 'musicians' today are only successful due to auto tune and computer generated studio fixes that cover the mediocre talent.
It's really sad and why I really dread AI taking over
"Make Me Smile" is part of "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon." Although it was released as a single, the band intended for it to be heard within the context of the suite. Fantastic concert but the sound quality is no match for the studio album, especially the 2016 Steven Wilson mix.
Yeah man you hit that nail right on the head ...Make Me Smile live is definitely the shit!!!
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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35).
Songwriter Robert Lamm was living in a rented home in Hollywood. After a gig, he was up in the middle of the night sitting on the floor and staring out the window at the flashing lights of the Hollywood signs in the distance. That was the flashing lights against the sky and his staring blindly into space looking at those lights. He was looking at an old clock across the room from him and was trying to make out what the time was on the hands of the clock and it was either 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4:00 a.m.
Robert was literally writing a song about writing a song, experiencing writer's block and searching for something to say for the lyrics. He had worked on the melody first and was trying to come up with what to say in the song. He used the time of the morning, 25 or 6 to 4, as a placeholder when he presented the song to the rest of the band in the morning. It was a throwaway line at first but the all agreed to keep that in the lyrics. It was not a drug reference as some believed, but just the time of the morning on an old analog clock.
I grew up listening to this stuff. Some of the greatest music ever. Color my world is my parents wedding song.
Wow I forgot about that song! Color my World was one of my first favorite Chicago songs I heard.
It's also our wedding song..May 24, 1980. Still the one!
Nice! It’s one of my all-time favorites. The epitome of short, but sweet!
Color My World reminds me of High Schools Dances
Chicago had top ten songs from the first album to Chicago 19 multiple top tens more than any band besides three dog night, another great Chicago tune is no tell lover
One of the best guitar solos in rock. The wah pedal part is off the charts. Chicago has so many great songs. Saturday in the Park, Colour My World, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is.... too many greats to name.
It's in response to Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is? from their debut album, 1969, called, Chicago Transit Authority. The real Transit Authority took exception and they changed to simply Chicago. The response time check was released later in 1970. 25 or 6 to 4. Looking at a clock with hands, it was 25 or 26 minutes to four o'clock.
No one does horns like Chicago. Terry Kath - amazing guitar player. Drums awesome.
This is some facts!! Those horns!!!! I miss this in music today!
I"d say Tower of Power is pretty darn close as far as horns go
Your friend was right. It’s drugs. All good
I always thought Earth Wind and Fire had some awesome brass sounds too, They did tour together for a bit.
Don't forget Blood Sweat and Tears for awesome horns...
It's about trying to write a song at 25 or 26 minutes to 4 AM. Many assumed a drug theme. Guitar solo compliments of Terry Kath. RIP.
Try some LSD and you will see
Chicago’s song “Saturday In The Park” is musically superb and lyrical almost Utopian. “It was really kind of that peace and love thing that happened in Central Park and in many parks all over the world, perhaps on a Saturday, where people just relax and enjoy each other’s presence, and the activities we observe and the feelings we get from feeling a part of a day like that.”
One of the best 70s group ever. Music still on fire. Their concerts were fabulous!
Terry's guitar solo in the live version of this from Tanglewood is mildly effing insane.
He was on another plane during that solo. Absolutely amazing.
25 Or 6 To 4 means It's 3:35 or 3:34 AM and he's been up all night trying to write a song. The music of my high school days.
Bullshit. Lsd25
Black PAGISUS THIS WAS THE GOOD OL 1970s
Hardly anyone uses or understands how to read analog clock today
My boyfriend was a professional drummer and he said Chicago had the best musicians.
OMG! Now that you know what it is about, you have to listen to it again. You guys struggling to grasp the meaning of the lyrics was hysterical for some unknown reason! Made my day!
This also goes to show how amazing Peter Ceteras vocals are bc right before recording this song they were out at a bar when they got into an altercation and Peter got his jaw broken and had to have it wired shut and they couldn’t wait so they had to record it and he had to sing with a clinched jaw.
I heard he was coming out of a Dodgers game in LA when he got in a fight with a Dodger fan. The rest sounds accurate to me
@@rubroken you are right sorry for the misinformation.
@@blakelejeune368 I didn't find that out until recently. Makes his vocals all the more impressive
This whole album is fire. You really should listen to the whole thing. I think it's the best album Chicago ever did. They have a deep, deep catalogue. Triple-tonguing on the trumpets, and that guitar solo is on of the best rock solo's ever. This was two LP's back in the day. One whole side was a suite called Ballet for a Girl in Buchannan which included songs that became hit singles. There must be at least 5 hit singles on this album. Color My World, Saturday in the Park, Wake Up Sunshine, and this song, 24 or 6 to Four (a time reference from before digital clocks). This album also has some of the most unique song endings ever recorded! It was really designed to be listened to as a whole.
It never gets old hearing Terry Kath just go off in his own world with that guitar. And Don's right on the money at 11:40. Every musician in Chicago was an amazing talent, and having all of them together was wild. The more you listen to their music, the more cool things you find layered in.
It was a song writing session that went way into the morning hours. Realizing it was 25 or 26 minutes to 4 in the morning, he was asking himself should I keep going or get some sleep.
What about spinning room is sinking deep. That's a trip
Yes, it’s because they’re from Chicago. Their original name was Chicago transit authority until they got sued by the Chicago transit Authority.
You'd think the Chicago Transit Authority would be thrilled that they called themselves that. I guess they just couldn't pass up a chance to sue somebody.
Their original name was "The Big Thing"
Chicago was uniquely a group of highly trained college musicians, that's why the music is impeccable. That Guitar Rift is by Terry Kath, an amazing talent who sadly passed away young. Perter Cetera was the lead singer for a long time, but they all had great vocals.
All but Kath who was self taught. But publications of the time assert that Kath was self conscious of the fact that he was not trained but the rest of the band were in awe of him and his talent.
@@garyjohnston-f9m Glen Campbell was also self-taught and both could tear up any professional. Raw talent.
The creative struggle - the song reflects the frustration and pressure experienced by a writer who has reached a creative roadblock. Feverishly trying to describe "the process of writing the song that" he was working on, he looked at his watch and saw it was 25 or 26 minutes to 4 in the morning. Thus, the song's title was borne from that specific moment. This was taken from an interview with the song writer, hope it helps.
I'm watching this on my TV and had to bring this up on my pad so I could comment. When this came out, every marching band in the US had this music in their repetiore. I've played this many,many, times in football games, concerts. You couldn't go anywhere and not hear this song. Thank you for taking me back nearly 50 yrs. And it's still a great song.
In an interview I saw years ago they explained they needed a song to finish the album.
This was just what was going on while they were trying to write the song. When it was finished the clock said 25 or 6 to 4
And Chicago II was (and is) awesome. It stands up to all the decades that followed. The fluidity of Terry Kath's guitar was stunning. Here is 25 or 6 to 4 at Tanglewood in 1970... ruclips.net/video/Lba2g_u1Ckg/видео.html
This was back before "dancers" and "set designers'. The boys just came out and played. Terry Kath in the denim shirt... I can imagine in the writing they wrote 'T. Kath amazing solo goes here'....
My impression on the song is that creativity doesn’t punch a time clock.
Old garage band dude here from the '70s we used to do our music first and then do our lyrics last and I think that's what they did they just got the jam going and needed something to say Great reaction rock on
Tanglewood live concert is the deep dive. Someone has already said it, but writers block at 25 or 6 to 4am. They toured with Jimmy Hendricks. Guitarists Teryy Kath and Hendricks loved/ admired/afraid of each other. Hendricks asked Chicago to tour with his band. More Chicago please.
Chicago & The Eagles are two of the most EPIC LEGENDARY BANDS ever!! My 2 dream concerts but their ticket prices are literally untouchable for me🙄😂 SO PHENOMENAL!!♥️🎶
I don't know what you mean. I just paid $49 for each for our tickets to see Chicago & EWF in an arena in southern california in september. I suppose it'd be a lot of money if you had to have super great seats, but these arenas you can hear and see them very well from anywhere. So yes, Mine are up in row N in the top section, but it's all good.The sound is good and they have the big screens. Where else are you going to see 2 legendary bands for 49 bucks a piece? Plus, they play 6 songs together on the same stage during the encore. Playing 3 EW&F and 3 Chicago songs together.
Terry Kath was a genius! Extremely talented and underrated!
The live version of this is even more outstanding. Needed to check that out first actually. Rare when the live is better.
Seen Chicago in the 70's ....with Earth Wind and Fire....Spectacular concert!!!
Always reminds me of high school around 1980 hearing the band practice this song while I walked by ❤
I see others have already covered that he's trying to write a song in the wee hours of the morning and has writer's block.
And yes, 25 or 6 to 4 is the time of day. 25 or 26 minutes to 4:00 am.
Supposedly this song is supposed to mean 25 or 26 mins before 4am! Not being able to sleep. At least that’s what I was told years ago! 🤷🏻♀️ Not sure if that’s true or not tho! Chicago has some CLASSICS! ❤
That's exactly what He's saying time is it 25 minutes or 26 minutes to 4 25 or 6 to 4 Trying to write a song but nothing is coming to him fucking genius
❤
This is 70s CHICAGO THE REAL THING
Terry Kath's wife said the question "should I try to do some more?" refers to coke.
The dude is up in the middle of the night trying to write a song. He's friggin' exhausted. Through blurry eyes he looks at the clock and sees that it's either 3:25 or maybe it's just 3:24 am. Therefore it's 25 minutes (or maybe it's 26 minutes) until 4 am. So the song title should be read this way ... 25 minutes (or 26 minutes) until 4 am.
I saw this group in concert Aug 2023 and they are still amazing. They put on an amazing show. The show was at 6000+ feet elevation and Neil Donell (new lead singer) held a high note sooo long we were stunned. He joked at the end of the song that he lives at sea level--so that says a lot about his vocal prowess! I'm so glad I got to see them, they are amazing in concert.
Chicago is another rabbit hole of musical excellence to explore! You should watch a live version.
Terry Kath absolutely murdered the wah for all time here.
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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o’clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35).[3][4] Because of the unique phrasing of the song's title, "25 or 6 to 4" has been interpreted to mean everything from a quantity of illicit drugs to the name of a famous person in code
From Wikipedia. " (Robert) 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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o’clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35)." Although some folks have interpreted this song as a drug song too.
Chicago is amazing!! If u have ever seen the movie The Karate Kid, u are definitely familiar with the song Glory of love! They have a lot of great songs! Saturday in the Park, You're the Inspiration, Hard to say I'm sorry, If you leave me now, & Feelin stronger everyday are just a few of my favs!
Chicago formed at DePaul University in Chicago. They were all music majors. Chicago's Very Own ❤
Yeah, and then Demon Dogs (RIP) under the Fullerton El had some of their instruments and gold records on the wall, and only played Chicago songs on the juke box. I grew up near DePaul. Last time I went back to visit, I saw so much of that neighborhood has changed.
The late great Terry Kath. When Jimi Hendix. was asked how it feels to be the greatest guitarist ever, he said “I don’t know, ask Terry Kath.
68yo here, saw them live on the 4th of July as a teen singing "Saturday In The Park". Their little known opening band was The Doobie Brothers.
I believe it was about songwriting. A long session of group work where someone asked “what time is it?” and another squinted at the clock and said “25 or 6 to 4”
The band first rehearsed the song at the Whisky a Go Go. 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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35
Jimmy Hendrix use to say that Terry Kath was his favorite guitarist "Jimi Hendrix cited Terry Kath as one of his favorite guitarists, and considered Kath to be "the best guitarist in the universe"." From the Wikipedia
Chicago band members were all top notch musicians. I got to see them 3 times, twice while Terry Kath, guitarist was alive and latest was in 2016 when they toured with Earth, Wind & Fire.
I saw them, too. In the 70s in Chicago. Great concert.
I've seen them with Kath and Cetera and without. I saw them in August 1973 at the Chicago Stadium. The Pointer Sisters who were just starting out were their opening act and a huge amount of the audience were booing them because they wanted to see Chicago. I laugh when I think about it now because back then no one realized that they would hit it big. I also saw Chicago again in June of 1992 on a double bill with The Moody Blues at an outdoor venue called Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates, IL. Both great concerts.
Say you're looking at the anolog clock on the wall. You can't quite tell if it's reading 3:34 or 3:35. So you would say the time is 25 or 6 to 4. 😮
I love it.I played this 100 times in high school pep band, half times at basketball games. Our band director, Van Bialon was a big horn guy. This and Bill Chase with the horntastic Get it On.
This was my song the summer I turned 18. “Saturday in the park “ great song. 25 or 6 to 4, is about writers block. Trying to come up with something
Exactly. He's staring bleary-eyed at an old school clock (not digital), unable to see the exact time because he can't quite make out the position of the minute hand.
I appreciate that you guys don't just go to the internet to look up the song meaning. Back in the day when we didn't have internet, we were doing it just like that. We'd have to talk to our friends and figure it out on our own, often without the lyrics unless they were in the liner notes for the album, but many times they weren't. Eventually you might hear the band interviewed or read something about the song meaning but often it was just a mystery. The thing is, that never ruined the song - we just accepted it or made up our own interpretation, just like you'd do with any work of art.
I was a weird kid in the 90’s, growing up listening to Chicago. All my friends were listening to the radio gaga and I was like ‘have you heard Questions 67 and 68?’
There's a kick-ass live version of this Chicago did with Earth, Wind and Fire. In fact they do several songs together in the same concert worth seeking for fans of either band.
You should listen to the studio recording of this song. Live versions can never duplicate the mix done in the studio and that's the way we heard it on the radio in 1970. This song was recorded in August for the self titled album "Chicago". The album was released in January 1970 and this song was released as a single in June1970. This live version is inferior to the studio recording. The band is from Chicago and was originally known as 'Chicago Transit Authority'. The CTA is the name of the mass transit system of Chicago, IL. They threatened to legal action if the band didn't cease and desist using that name, so they shortened it to 'Chicago'. The name of their debut double album is Chicago Transit Authority, recorded January 27-30, 1969 and released April 28, 1969 on the Columbia Records label. It didn't do well at first but fortunately, this during the advent of FM radio and eventually it sold 2 million copies on its initial pressing. The impact of FM radio can not be understated, it is what was directly responsible for the explosion of album sales and relegated the 45 rpm disc to a marketing tool to initiate /invigorate album sales. This was the beginning of the Golden Age of the music business.
They played at my high school graduation dance (they were Chicago Transit Authority then).
WHEELING HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF "69" WHEELING ,ILLINOIS
You never stop during a guitar solo, and one of the best ever at that.
He did that to the Eagles also. Don't think he realizes the importance of guitar in this music.
Or a drum solo … or a sax solo!!! Ought to be a law against that!
Love this song! Thank you for reacting. The brass gives it such a unique vibe. Saturday in the Park is another of their amazing songs.
You NEED to watch the life performance in Tanglewood, of this song!
The Guitar solo is fire!!!
This was the first song I played in pep band I play tuba...I loved the bass line. And it was in reference to the time he figures he had the 'ah ha'! moment.
I have a story about this. I rarely saw my father. One day he picked me up and handed me this 45 (not a 🔫 lol) and said you like this band? I was like yeah, thanks. I wouldn't have cared if I hated it just the fact that he thought about me long enough to get and give it to me was good enough for me. I was about 12 and we had a very up and down relationship mostly down. About 5 years later when I was 17 we started to really work on things, like forgiveness. But, he died that same year. Here's to good old Dad. 🍻
See this is whats so great about this time in music history...i loved the Beatles ,Glam Rocker David Bowie, The mighty Led Zep and this Chicago! Titally different ,ALL FRICKIN COOL! Hey we all partook back thenincluding all these artists!
So the story goes that the band needed one more song to finish the album. They were working well into the night when they asked the janitor what time it was...he replied ... 25 or 6 (26) til 4am. It's a song about trying to write the last song for the album
The song is about him trying to write this song. He was up all night, his eyes are crossing and he looks at the clock to see what time it is. He couldn’t read the clock and thought it said it was 25 or 6 to 4:00 am. He couldn’t tell. He started getting in that goofy stage of being tired, thought it was funny and put that in the song. Perfect.
He's pulling an all nighter trying to write a song! Check out another group from the era called Blood, Sweat & Tears. More great rock horns. Good old school stuff.
As bands go they were the best of the best musicians. Best drummer, best guitarist, best horns, and great singers!
I love this song, the horns are great! I believe he's referencing the time. 25 or 26 minutes to 4, when he gets off work. Very underrated band and song!
Love this era of Chicago! 25 or 6 to 4 was my favorite song to play in high school pep band at basketball halftimes, lol. Lots of loud brass blasting the heck out of a small gym. Oh, and Stevie’s Sir Duke too!🎉
I really dont see how this is so hard to figure out if you just listen to the words, jeez! 25 or 26 minutes till 4 AM He's trying to write words to a new song - THIS one!
Top ten rock song of all time. Can’t be beat. Musicianship and instrumentation top notch. You should be on headphones for this‼️ And if you listen to it ten times in a row, you still won’t be bored. Thanks for the reaction. Live at Tanglewood for the stage version.
People have speculated that the song's lyrics are drug related, but this has been largely dismissed.
At the time, LSD 25 was prevalent, as was methequalone in 400 mg.(ie, qualudes). On the side of the pills was the number 624. But according to group member Robert Lamm, "the title is "just a reference to the time of day" and that "the song is about writing a song. It's not mystical." The time of day in reference is 3:35 AM (or 3:34 AM), which would then be 25 (or 26) minutes to 4 AM."
Back in the day, all clocks were analog and we used to say things like "it's a quarter to 5" which means 15 minutes (quarter hour) until 5 or 4:45. This is saying it is 3:34 or 3:35.
The song is a stream of consciousness of a songwriter early in the morning who can't get the lyrics to flow so he just starts writing what is happening and the tag/title is him looking at the clock and seeing the little hand halfway between 3 and 4 and the big hand just past the 7. Us old folks call this 25 or 26 minutes until 4 (that's a bit specific because we would have just said "half past 3".
The live version, bro way better than the album believe it or not
I agree the live version is something else, just awesome.
She was given the nickname "Dusty" for playing football with boys in the street and was described as a tomboy. She always went home covered in dust.
Best part of music cut off, common in this genre for meaningless lyrics.😢
THAT BRASS!!!!! 😍Writer block on his music with a time constraint, 25 minutes, or is it 26, til 4 a.m. and the song aint a comin' but he wont give up, and THIS is the reslut, 25 or 6 to 4. a CLASSIC
If THAT is the result of not being able to write a song, ...WOW!
Dudes, you were so close. 25 or 26 minutes till 4 am.
I love how deep you go into the simple lyrics. Makes me giggle. Thank you
The lead singer, Peter Cetera recorded this while his jaw was broken and wired shut! That is f-ing amazing!!!
No he didn’t, his jaw had been broken several months before this was recorded and the wires had been removed before they had recorded the song.
@@1BobsYourUncle Actually, on another RUclips channel, Professor of Rock, it was revealed that the recording session was set up for a time during when Cetera's jaw was wired. It was also revealed that the way he sang that day and all days after, with his teeth clenched, became his signature singing style.
Robert Lamm (one of the founding members of Chicago), 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., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 3:35. Peter Cetera (bass) sang this song. Terry Kath was the guitar player. Danny Seraphine was the drummer.
You hardly ever hear horns anymore? You mean you hardly ever hear REAL MUSIC anymore! That's a much more accurate statement.
Fact
One of the best songs in the history of the world, from one of the absolute best groups of all time!! ❤❤😊😊it’s actually the approximate time that he finished the song. Working all night on lyrics, music, prob a little high, lol, it was about 25 or 26 minutes to 4(am) . Brilliant, don’t you think. 😊
Thanks for the reaction, these guys were my jam back in the day!!! Love Chicago!!
It's 25 or 26 minutes to 4am.....He was sitting on the floor writing this song and it was almost 4am.../chicago has many great songs,, Saturday In The Park, Hard to Say I'm sorry, If you leave me now.....and many other. I just saw them last year and it was an amazing concert...Northern Ca
I was oblivious to Chicago back in the heyday - they were just always on the radio, didn't pay much attention. Then I saw them live and they were just absolutely phenomenal, still are. So many hits, if you get a chance to see them, go for it. Amazing ❤🔥
Yes the Tanglewood concert version of this song is an absolute must. Would also like to mention here that there is a Russian tribute band called Leonid & Friends who started out covering Chicago's music and one of the first ones they did was 25 or 6 to 4. They did such a fantastic job of it, just playing by ear without sheet music, that even members of today's Chicago were impressed. Worth checking it out.
Love Chicago! I got to see them live at the LA Forum when they had just released their 3rd album (double white). So much energy and such great music. I never saw anyone sitting down the whole time. Everyone was up and dancing at their seats.
So funny you said staring at the clock, thought maybe you had figured it out! Y'all looked like two bobble head dolls!!! Loved it! Great reaction as always! Still love the music of my generation! 🤠
I love Chicago because of the horns! That’s what got me into them as a teen. Back then I had no idea what this song was about but loved it anyway! Didn’t have any way to look up lyrics back then unless you had the album and it had the lyrics on the sleeve. I had the 45.
My favorite group growing up. Saw them twice in concert in 1975 and 1980.
Saw them live this past summer. And they still sound exquisite
One of the all time great guitar solos
It is even more obvious than you are taking it...Robert Lamm Chicago's songwriter was up in the middle of the night (at 3:35 or 3:34am) writing this song. The lyrics were originally just a placeholder for better lyrics....but turned out they were perfect as is.
Robert Lamm...“I just, I looked across the room and there was an old Grandmother’s clock on the wall,” he continued. “I couldn’t quite make out what the time was, but the hands on the clock were somewhere around 25 or 26 to 4 a.m., and I just began to jot down what the hell I was doing there, and I thought, ‘Well, for now, I’m just going to describe the process of writing this song, and I’ll figure out what the lyrics are going to be later,’ but I didn’t need to."
CHICAGO HAD THREE LEAD SINGERS WHO TRADED LEAD VOCALS. THIS WAS PETER CETERA, THE BASS PLAYER.
TERRY KATH, LEAD GUITAR AND ROBERT LAMM KEYBOARDS ALSO SING. AND THEY HAD 3 BRASS/WOODWINDS PLAYERS. ONE OF MY FIRST FAV GROUPS IN THE EARLY 70S.
This song has always been my weird song that I love that no one else gets. It’s a total vibe and I’m glad to see you cover it and appreciate it.