My 10 favourite songs by Chicago

"Beginnings" (from Chicago Transit Authority, 1969)

Robert Lamm wrote and sung this ballad for their first album. He writes in the liner notes to The Best of Chicago (2007) that it came about after hearing Richie Havens play in a club one night. Robert was so taken with the acoustic guitar sound that it motivated him to write lyrics to a song that didn't rhyme. I believe it resulted in one of the group's most affecting love songs. "Beginnings" topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart when reissued in 1971.

"Make Me Smile" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

Sung by their late, great guitarist Terry Kath, it is the first movement of the epic "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" piece composed by their trombonist, James Pankow. The version most people are probably familiar with is the edited single version, which I like just as much as the longer album track. "Make Me Smile" became Chicago's first major hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

"25 or 6 to 4" (from Chicago, aka Chicago II, 1970)

I think most people who listen to rock music know this song. Robert wrote this song about writing a song. Though Peter Cetera sings lead, Terry lends a lengthy guitar solo that makes it a classic. Chicago re-recorded "25 or 6 to 4" (sans Terry and Peter) in 1986 (for Chicago 18) and 2009. The original reached #4 on Billboard in 1970.

"Saturday in the Park" (from Chicago V, 1972)

Written and sung by Robert, the park in question is Central Park in New York City. He wrote it based on the images he filmed of people in the park. Its euphoric nature makes it easy to understand why it gets performed at all of their concerts. The crowd goes wild every time it's performed!

"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" (from Chicago VI, 1973)

Peter and James composed this uplifting rocker for their sixth album. The second half of the song is very catchy and it always leaves me feeling joyful, even when I’m down.

"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" (from Chicago VII, 1974)

I think this song represents one of their most spiritual moments on record. James wrote it to describe the inner peace he felt at the time. I have a hunch they all felt the same way collectively, since they were churning out one hit album and single after another during their mid-70s peak.

"If You Leave Me Now" (from Chicago X, 1976)

This is the monster ballad in Chicago’s catalogue that put them on the map internationally, so to speak. This last-minute addition to their 10th album propelled Peter and the group to gain a wider audience, and eventually led their transition from album-oriented rock to the adult contemporary market. The song topped charts in several countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.

"Hard Habit to Break" (from Chicago 17, 1984)

This very dramatic ballad is one that I think a lot of people can relate to. Peter and Bill Champlin each give soulful and heartfelt deliveries in a song composed by outside writers. Incidentally, their 17th album is Peter’s last before going solo full-time.

"If She Would Have Been Faithful..." (from Chicago 18, 1986)

One of the more original-sounding love songs I’ve heard, it is performed by Bill and Jason Scheff, the tenor singer and bass player who replaced Peter in 1985. The song has irony in that the title suggests it's going to be melancholy, when it's really about a guy celebrating the new love he found. It therefore makes the break-up of his previous relationship a blessing in disguise.

"Love Will Come Back" (from Chicago XXX, 2006)

I love this song which barely got noticed when released in 2006. The original version from their 30th album features a guest appearance from country group Rascal Flatts. Though it is good, the version I like more is the one with Chicago by themselves. You can find this recording on The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition, album XXXI (31) in their official canon.