Reading way too much into the lyrics...

    1982 didn't start out to well for the band Chicago. After experiencing increasingly disappointing album sales since their 11th album, the last one featuring lead guitarist Terry Kath, the band had been bought out of their record contract by Columbia records. To make matters worse, the last album put out by Columbia, 'Greatest Hits Volume 2' was a mishmash of their more recent hits (post 1974) along with earlier songs put on the album just to fill it to completion. Not surprisingly, this Frankenstein of a greatest hits album peaked at #171 on the album charts. Their third straight album to disappoint, after the disco infused Chicago 13 (the skyscraper album) and the back to the basics Chicago 14 (the fingerprint album).

   Even the band started to fray.  Lead guitarist had become a revolving door, and some of the original members were dealing with personal demons that prevented the band from being the cohesive unit that it once was. Things were dark for the monster hit makers from the 70s.

   Taking some of the settlement money from Columbia- after effectively being paid not to make an album, the band hired fast rising producer David Foster to produce their new, self financed album. With some of the band still dealing with their own issues, many studio musicians joined in on the album, including four members of Toto, who were about to break through with their Toto 4 album. Most notable to long term fans of the band, was the domination of vocals and writing credits of long time bassist Peter Cetera.

   Although Cetera had been singing more and more lead lead vocals as time went on, his signature was all over the album, especially the first single 'Hard To Say I'm Sorry'.


    To a long time fan, 'Hard To Say I'm Sorry' was a fascinating song. Disguised as a sappy love song,  It told the story of Chicago and their fan base. Let's take a look...

"Everybody needs a little time away," I heard her say, "from each other."

- doesn't take much to realize that "her" is the fan base- and the fans were definitely staying away. 

"Even lovers need a holiday far away from each other."

- so even Peter realizes the fans were taking a break / Holiday. so- what does Peter suggest?

"Hold me now. It's hard for me to say I'm sorry. I just want you to stay."

- looks like the band has regrets, and he wants the fans to hold on.  

"After all that we've been through, I will make it up to you. I promise to."

- after 16 albums, countless hit singles and tour after tour, Peter promises the he will make it up to us! No matter what you think of Peter Cetera, he certainly tried. Chicago 16 and 17 are essentially a Cetera and Foster production. 

"And after all that's been said and done,

You're just the part of me I can't let go."

- yep. I think the decline and loss of fans is hitting home. 

"Couldn't stand to be kept away, just for the day, from your body."

- we love to tour...

"Wouldn't wanna be swept away, far away, from the one that I love."

- so we need a comeback, or we won't be able to tour.

"Hold me now. It's hard for me to say I'm sorry. I just want you to know.

Hold me now. I really want to tell you I'm sorry. I could never let you go."

- we screwed up.  We know it. No more disco albums. Stick with us. We are sorry. 

"After all that we've been through, I will make it up to you. I promise to.

And after all that's been said and done,

You're just the part of me I can't let go."

- we will make it better, because frankly, we like being a successful band that has successful tours.

After all that we've been through, I will make it up to you. I promise to.

- trust us on this, are next album is going to kick ass - and wait until you see the video for 'Stay the Night'.

You're gonna be the lucky one.

- lucky, because the ballad now breaks into a vintage brass fueled, hard driving rock song, that would have been at home on many of their earlier 'classic' albums...

But it wasn't just the lyrics- the song itself started lightly instrumented, with Cetera singing over a piano playing quarter notes. As the song progresses, instruments are added- drums, guitars, up until a climax with the big payoff - a coda featuring the brass section in an uptempo mini-movement called 'Getaway'.  Just like that, they were done apologizing, and ready to rock. The layering effect kept building to a payoff- they were going to make it up to us- the fans- with the awesome finish.

Chicago 16 featured another single, the ballad 'Love Me Tomorrow'. Next came the band's most successful album ever '17'...Cetera's promise was fulfilled.

Am I reading too much into the lyrics? Maybe. Maybe not. Just don't expect me to ever feature 'You're The Inspiration' in this series.