Woo hoo, unbelievable, finally seeing Chicago perform this song LIVE (after 38 years) is just way beyond awesome. Thanks so much for posting! The horn section is too cool!
Don't know if it was inspired by the incident that cdadave mentions, but Robert Lamm wrote this song. Cetera sang the heck out of it, but Lamm wrote it.
I'm a big Chicago fan and grew up in Norman, OK.-----I was actually at the concert in Oklahoma City where the event AND the arrest took place that prompted Cetera to write this song...don't remember exactly which year as we went to probably 6 Chicago concerts between 69 & 77.....wow this takes me back! Gafford! If you're reading this leave a comment!----I put the lyrics that are behind the story in the next post as I ran out of characters.
The now-so-politically-PETE CETERA wrote this song in response to harsh treatment he received from the Men in Blue one time long ago. I saw Chicago live in '72 and they were really this good. Aside to Cetera: "Man, what HAPPENED to ya">? Can you say "sellout"? I knew ya could.
@cdadave83814 Sorry, but I have to correct you on just WHO wrote this song: It was ROBERT LAMN who wrote it after being arrested after a concert in which he used some profanity on stage. he selected PETER CETERA do perform the tenor vocal.
That Chewbacca's brother? Anyway, I haven't heard this song in 30 years. Odd, because I have all their music up to when Terry Kath died. I was their biggest fan you know.
From 1968 through Chicago V few bands rocked like this - great riffs from Terry, great lyrics from Bobby, Horns pushing the whole thing - and a great live show
I love it - more footage from these days please!!!
@dillwankster & all other advocates of Chicago being inducted into the Rock & Roll HOF. YES - Chicago should have been in there LONG ago. My question is, WHO gets to be inducted? The original seven guys, of course. But Laudir? Donnie Dacus? I think Bill obviously belongs in there, but what about Jason? Technically, he's only been involved on a couple hit songs. And how do they possibly justify inducting Pinnick, Bailey, Gaitsch, Howland, Pardini, or Hester? Tough calls to make, no?
@drhey19 - Bill, absolutely. Jason and Tris...and for that matter Keith...have contributed to Chicago being able to work steady and make a living, but honestly - what have any of them contributed to the LEGEND of Chicago? In stark-cold reality, the ORIGINAL band deserves to be inducted on the merits of their first 3 albums, Chicago V through VIII, Chicago X and XI....plus Chicago 16 & 17. Using this logic, it might be necessary to include Laudir and certainly Bill. Easier answer? Keep them out.
If you listen closely to the lyrics, though, the message of the song is exactly the opposite. The narrator of the song is *not* in favor of tearing the system down, but the system cracks down on him anyway. A very thoughtful and ironic song by Mr. Robert Lamm (as usual).
That actually sounded better than the LP version. I agree---Walt's pants were just this side of psychedelic. But I also maintain Jimmy is responsible for global warming! Thank for finding that gem and sharing it with us.
Great song
cutewittykath 3 months ago
OK the Beatles delivered a very positive message through most of their music, but Chicago delivered reality and this song shows their stength.
boxlore69 4 months ago
Great tune never seen a live performance of this song! They are super tight on this one! Chicago in their hey day.
markj6506 7 months ago
Wow. Fantastic!
PhDinExistence 8 months ago
had this song in mind today when watching the state of the union speech today (read or listen to the lyrics)
upyanuts 1 year ago 2
I want to thank every one of you who have contributed videos...Lock me up in a room with Chicago music, I'll be fine!!!
1pianorock 1 year ago 2
Woo hoo, unbelievable, finally seeing Chicago perform this song LIVE (after 38 years) is just way beyond awesome. Thanks so much for posting! The horn section is too cool!
marmont48 1 year ago
Don't know if it was inspired by the incident that cdadave mentions, but Robert Lamm wrote this song. Cetera sang the heck out of it, but Lamm wrote it.
big1onbob 1 year ago
I'm a big Chicago fan and grew up in Norman, OK.-----I was actually at the concert in Oklahoma City where the event AND the arrest took place that prompted Cetera to write this song...don't remember exactly which year as we went to probably 6 Chicago concerts between 69 & 77.....wow this takes me back! Gafford! If you're reading this leave a comment!----I put the lyrics that are behind the story in the next post as I ran out of characters.
--WW
earlenzyme 1 year ago
The now-so-politically-PETE CETERA wrote this song in response to harsh treatment he received from the Men in Blue one time long ago. I saw Chicago live in '72 and they were really this good. Aside to Cetera: "Man, what HAPPENED to ya">? Can you say "sellout"? I knew ya could.
cdadave83814 1 year ago
@cdadave83814 Sorry, but I have to correct you on just WHO wrote this song: It was ROBERT LAMN who wrote it after being arrested after a concert in which he used some profanity on stage. he selected PETER CETERA do perform the tenor vocal.
tonyde52 10 months ago
That Chewbacca's brother? Anyway, I haven't heard this song in 30 years. Odd, because I have all their music up to when Terry Kath died. I was their biggest fan you know.
zackgreer 1 year ago
This song is one of my favorites off Chicago V. Getting to see this live version is a real treat.
scoutee39 1 year ago
From 1968 through Chicago V few bands rocked like this - great riffs from Terry, great lyrics from Bobby, Horns pushing the whole thing - and a great live show
I love it - more footage from these days please!!!
tamnavulin57 1 year ago 3
I just love this! TK is rippin it as he always did. Thankyou for posting this great Chicago tune.
sazybo1 1 year ago
Good recording as well as the performance. Thanks for posting. Gosh, drhey19 - where in the heck did you get this footage? It's 38 years old!
fayette202 2 years ago
It wasn't easy, but I got it. I just wish I could get the whole show.
drhey19 2 years ago
@drhey19
THANK YOU SO MUCH, GOOD DOCTOR.
WrestlingHeretic 1 year ago
@WrestlingHeretic You're Welcome!
drhey19 1 year ago
They sounded so edgy back then and I love it!
svenny5 2 years ago
Does anyone else notice that the "fisheye" lens shot in the very beginning is backwards?
Quite odd.
nudist0885 2 years ago
terrys trademark whistle is loud and clear at the close of the tune
AuriculoTherapy 2 years ago
@AuriculoTherapy At 3:40 and 6:21. He's so cool!! A masterful genius!!
sindilee 1 week ago
On the merits of the Terry Kath era (69-77) ALONE, Chicago should be in the Hall of Fame.
dillwankster 2 years ago 5
@dillwankster & all other advocates of Chicago being inducted into the Rock & Roll HOF. YES - Chicago should have been in there LONG ago. My question is, WHO gets to be inducted? The original seven guys, of course. But Laudir? Donnie Dacus? I think Bill obviously belongs in there, but what about Jason? Technically, he's only been involved on a couple hit songs. And how do they possibly justify inducting Pinnick, Bailey, Gaitsch, Howland, Pardini, or Hester? Tough calls to make, no?
Vince1961 1 year ago
@Vince1961 In my opinion, it should be the original 7plus Bill, Jason, and Tris.
drhey19 1 year ago
@drhey19 - Bill, absolutely. Jason and Tris...and for that matter Keith...have contributed to Chicago being able to work steady and make a living, but honestly - what have any of them contributed to the LEGEND of Chicago? In stark-cold reality, the ORIGINAL band deserves to be inducted on the merits of their first 3 albums, Chicago V through VIII, Chicago X and XI....plus Chicago 16 & 17. Using this logic, it might be necessary to include Laudir and certainly Bill. Easier answer? Keep them out.
Vince1961 1 year ago
Not much has changed has it?
jhnstn1 2 years ago 3
thank you!
jpe102 2 years ago
Another great song I've not heard before from the "old" Chicago. Thanks for posting it.
SirrPurr1994 3 years ago
You're welcome, glad you enjoy it!!
drhey19 3 years ago
Funny how the lyrics fit in today's world as much as they did when Chicago V came out! Yikes! :-o
blueznjazz123 2 years ago
tear it down, down to the ground
gofnas3 3 years ago 12
@gofnas3
If you listen closely to the lyrics, though, the message of the song is exactly the opposite. The narrator of the song is *not* in favor of tearing the system down, but the system cracks down on him anyway. A very thoughtful and ironic song by Mr. Robert Lamm (as usual).
WrestlingHeretic 1 year ago
I think this will be heard along with Dialogue as bumper music for many a political talk show in the next two month.
jhnstn1 3 years ago
Thanks for bringing this back. Terry is such a maniac. I love him and miss him.
GoWest1967 3 years ago
That actually sounded better than the LP version. I agree---Walt's pants were just this side of psychedelic. But I also maintain Jimmy is responsible for global warming! Thank for finding that gem and sharing it with us.
flashpenguin86 3 years ago
Thanks for posting this song. Man, Walt had some crazy pants that night!
llnesinthesand 3 years ago
Never heard this one. Awesome stuff.
drummerboyjac 3 years ago