Chicago by Graham Nash of CSN&Y & The Hollies - a sixties psych rock classic - new version by STAY

'Chicago' by Spanish neo-psych band Stay. A great new version of the classic song by Graham Nash. The single also includes '2,000 Light Years From Home' by the Rolling Stones and 'Rainy Day, Mushroom Pillow', by Strawberry Alarm clock. Out now on 7" colour vinyl on Fruits de Mer Records - strictly limited to 300 copies for worldwide distribution. Check out www.myspace.com/fdmer2 - and order direct from us.

Graham William Nash (born 2 February 1942) is a British singer-songwriter known for his light tenor vocals and for his songwriting contributions with the British pop group The Hollies, and with the folk-rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer.

Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN) is a folk rock/rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) when joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young. They are noted for their intricate vocal harmonies, often tumultuous interpersonal relationships, political activism, and lasting influence on music and culture.

This song was written in reference to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968. The times were very violent, and riots were threatened at the Convention. The mayor of Chicago, Richard Daley, basically told the police to use all necessary force to keep order. They did, with a vengeance. Civil rights and the Vietnam War were major issues, and there were many protesters at the convention. There were lots of arrests, with the police basically beating into submission anyone who had the nerve to speak out. (thanks, Andrea - Denton, TX)

Some of the lyrics refer to the "Chicago 7" trial, where protesters at the convention were charged with intent to incite a riot. The first line of the song refers to Bobby Seale, the only black plaintiff and the eighth member, who was actually gagged and bound to a chair in the courtroom. He was later removed from the trial, leaving 7. The 3 most famous names from this trial are Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin. (thanks, rosebud - oregon city, OR)

SONG LYRICS:
So your brother's bound and gagged
And they chained him to a chair,
Won't you please come to Chicago
Just to sing.
In a land that's known as freedom,
How can such a thing be fair?
Won't you please come to Chicago
For the help that we can bring.

We can change the World.
Rearrange the World.
It's dying
to get better.

Politicians sit yourselves down,
There's nothing for you here.
Won't you please come to Chicago
For a ride.
Don't ask Jack to help you
Cause he'll turn the other ear.
Won't you please come to Chicago
Or else join the other side.

We can change / yes we can change the World.
Rearrange / rearrange the World.
It's dying / do you believe in justice?
It's dying / and if you believe in freedom.
It's dying / Let a man live his own life.
It's dying / Rules and regulations who needs them?
Open up the door.

Somehow people must be free,
I hope the day comes soon.
Won't you please come to Chicago,
To show you face.
From the bottom of the ocean
To the mountains of the Moon.
Won't you please come to Chicago
No one else can take your place.

We can change / yes we can change the World.
Rearrange / rearrange the World.
It's dying / If you believe in justice.
It's dying / and if you believe in freedom.
It's dying / Let a man live his own life.
It's dying / Rules and regulations, who needs them?
Open up the door.

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[pjautuvas]

Great! Never heard this before, is this on any CD?

[FruitsdeMer2]

Im afraid not.... you need to buy it on transulcent orange vinyl ;)

[21susan59]

I'm glad you matched this song to the video. Although it made me sad, people must remeber this part of history or else it will continue or be repeated.

[FruitsdeMer2]

Ill raise a glass to that Susan. Many thanks for the kind comment!

[Teezvid]

YES WE CAN!!! Very original version. Thank you.

[FruitsdeMer2]

glad you like it - spread the word!

[Jazzenblue]

OMG this was good. I remember the original. I also remember Vietnam. Damn.This was a good remake. I would have taken the video just a tad farther--more strongly relate the systematic slaughter of the cows to the systematic suppression of and brutality towards the people.

[send2meez]

this positively ROCKS won't you please come to Wall Street?

[kwikfit76]

well done quality tune just as good as original and im a massive csny fan....very fresh lads kep it up... have you eva played in england at all or have any plans????

[operatoroperand]

won't you please come to cairo

we can change the world

somehow people must be free

[MrRonRiley]

It's now February 3, 2011, forty-three years after the Tet Offensive. Will lessons ever be learned? This is truly political/revolutionary music. I love it! See also "Ohio" by CSNY.

[gerkins1]

We can change the World

Rearrange the World

Did it once

We can do it again.

[SamTomo75]

becausesoundmatters [dot ] com

Vinyl!!

[deserteagle421]

@fivechildren the originals are in the csny chicago, have some faith in these bands they arent tryin to ruin anythin, hell the song has a good message isnt that enough.