 Chicago (1970) [ larger cover art ] |
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Flashing lights against the sky
Giving up I close my eyes
Sitting cross-legged on the floor
25 or 6 to 4
Staring blindly into space
Getting up to splash my face
Wanting just to stay awake
Wondering how much I can take
Should I try to do some more
25 or 6 to 4
Feeling like I ought to sleep
Spinning room is sinking deep
Searching for something to say
Waiting for the break of day
25 or 6 to 4
25 or 6 to 4
| jmsmy (Music Town, Klein, Texas) | Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 17:55 25 or 6 minutes to 4 AM. About writing a song in the early morning. GREAT Guitar and Drums |
| gillespp (Portland, OR) | Posted: Apr 11, 2013 - 17:52 Ahhh . . . even I can play that bass line. |
| pomalley (Land of Lincoln) | Posted: Mar 11, 2013 - 07:27 jmsmy wrote: The most under rated rock band through the years. Totally agree.. Or play "Fancy Colours" for something different.  |
| norvell (North TJ) | Posted: Mar 11, 2013 - 07:15 Great guitar solo by the late great Terry Kath |
| Hannio (Austin, TX) | Posted: Jan 07, 2013 - 14:21 I just noticed Tiger Bomb is next in rotation on my itunes. Think I'll go there instead of letting my brain cells die listening to mullet rock. |
| thewiseking (New York, New York) | Posted: Jan 07, 2013 - 14:21 Nostalgia. Puts a smile on your face. Def did not dig them then. Now, I do. |
| scraig (Santa Barbara, CA) | Posted: Oct 05, 2012 - 10:47 I was taught in college that this was the future of fusion jazz. |
| jagdriver (Just a nod and a wink south of Paradise) | Posted: Oct 05, 2012 - 10:46 Here I am (circled, lower left) on the movie crew at the 1970 Goose Lake International Pop Festival in Michigan's Irish Hills (south of Jackson). I was up close and personal for a kick-ass performance by Chicago Transit Authority, as they were then known. (Bob Seger pictured on stage.)  |
| lkovathana (Chicago, Illinois) | Posted: Sep 03, 2012 - 21:33 Appreciated all the history that was posted here ... |
| Ahnyer_Keester (Chicago Il) | Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 10:39 Ahnyer_Keester wrote: Aaahhh, Chicago when they were still fusion. Before the pop virus ate the heart of the band. Thanks for playing this!! Cool! I just got quoted on the air!! :) |
| westslope (BC coast) | Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 10:35 Cool story jen!
Must be nostalgia day at Radio Paradise. Bill is targeting us 1/2 century and older types with a line up that approaches deadly precision. -hehe- |
| Sloggydog (UK) | Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 10:34 Awesome. Really freakin awesome. |
| ziakut (Right Here) | Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 10:34 Like the horns. Dislike song. Not big on the band. Appreciate the talent though... |
| jen3005545 (Fort Worth, TX) | Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 10:32 My mom told me she was at a Chicago concert while pregnant with me and that my first kick was during this song. No wonder I like it so much! |
| jmsmy (Music Town, Klein, Texas) | Posted: Aug 03, 2012 - 10:31 A song about writing a song |
| DanO-1 (Sandia Park, New Mexico) | Posted: Apr 30, 2012 - 09:19 Street lingo for speed that is. |
| DanO-1 (Sandia Park, New Mexico) | Posted: Apr 30, 2012 - 09:18 Stratocaster wrote: All these wild-ass guesses on the meaning of the title... FROM "THE STRAIGHT DOPE": The song "25 or 6 to 4" appeared on "Chicago II" and was written by organist/vocalist Robert Lamm. The title and lyrics have puzzled many since it appeared in 1970. Some say it's a drug reference, suggesting a unit of measurement involving the quantity of joints that can be rolled from a what-used-to-be dime bag. Some feel it's about looking for spiritual revelation, undergoing a mysterious soul-searching journey. I think we can take Lamm's word for the whole thing. Because, when it's that early in the morning, does anybody really know what time it is? 25 was street lingo in the late '60s. To me, the lyrics of this song fits that. |
| indypaul (Indianapolis, IN) | Posted: Apr 30, 2012 - 09:17 When Terry Kath lost at Russian Roulette, that was the end of Chicago. What a shame! |
| Johnny-smooth (On my bicycle) | Posted: Mar 29, 2012 - 15:48 Ahnyer_Keester wrote: Aaahhh, Chicago when they were still fusion. Before the pop virus ate the heart of the band. Thanks for playing this!! Amen, brings back many a fond memory from up in the mtns of Colorado |
| sajitjacob (Christchurch NZ) | Posted: Mar 29, 2012 - 15:47 I keep hearing Led Zep. Learn something new everyday... |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 06:41 parrothead wrote: I liked the acid trip story better. Ransom Stoddard: "You're not going to use the story, Mr. Scott? Maxwell Scott: "This is The West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." |
| Stratocaster (Bermuda) | Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 06:29 All these wild-ass guesses on the meaning of the title... FROM "THE STRAIGHT DOPE": The song "25 or 6 to 4" appeared on "Chicago II" and was written by organist/vocalist Robert Lamm. The title and lyrics have puzzled many since it appeared in 1970. Some say it's a drug reference, suggesting a unit of measurement involving the quantity of joints that can be rolled from a what-used-to-be dime bag. Some feel it's about looking for spiritual revelation, undergoing a mysterious soul-searching journey. I think we can take Lamm's word for the whole thing. Because, when it's that early in the morning, does anybody really know what time it is? |
| Propayne (Richmond VA) | Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 06:29 olivertwist wrote: Chicago really could rock out a bit before they went the soft-rock route. Great guitar in this one. Definitely a soft spot in my heart for early Chicago. Reminds me of my older sister. |
| rashad | Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 06:27 Do they still call it "fuzz" and "wah-wah"?? ....whatever ....man, i luuuuve that guitar thing. Why did my mind wait for it to break into Saturday, in the Park" ? Did that happen in the LP? God, I love being old. Makes me feel like I own all this music... |
| olivertwist (Atlanta GA) | Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 06:22 Chicago really could rock out a bit before they went the soft-rock route. Great guitar in this one. |
| rushed (Edwardsville, IL) | Posted: Jan 26, 2012 - 06:22 There's the reason Jimi thought so much of Terry. Crushing solo!!!!!! |
| mpatnode | Posted: Sep 21, 2011 - 12:53 RedGuitar wrote: Someone told me it was symbolic of an acid trip. The 25 from LSD-25, The 6 to 4 meaning 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM duration of the trip, and much of the lyric referring to it. Dunno, just sayin' what I was told many years ago. The marathon recording session story sounds better. I was always told it was coke not acid. Makes more sense with the stay awake/try do some more line. But Lamm says differently: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1842/what-does-the-chicago-lyric-25-or-6-to-4-mean |
| mpatnode | Posted: Sep 21, 2011 - 12:48 mrdak wrote: Terry Kath will definitely make you stop what you're doin' and listen......... Hey! I was trying to get some work done, and now I'm singing about illicit drugs! Funny, when I heard the intro I thought "Oh, this is so dated". Next thing I knew I was sitting crosslegged on the floor.... |
| johnjconn (chicago land) | Posted: Sep 21, 2011 - 12:48 Moonflower31 wrote: 25 or 6 to 4 refers to Robert Lamb looking at the clock after a marathon session and the clock read either 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am. Actually 25 or 6 to 4 refers to the Packers vs Bears score. Seems the members of Chicago were big Bears fans ( go figure) and the typical score of a Bears Packers game is: BEARS 25 or 6 to Packers 4 Go Bears!! Fudge Packers suck!! |
| Misterfixit (Nashville) | Posted: Sep 21, 2011 - 12:48 Memories of being at the 2d Infantry Division "Gunstock 1972" and hearing the 2d ID band playing this and "Getting Stronger Every Day" and watching Major General Henry G. Emerson, "The Gunfighter", rocking with his troops. Whoa! |
| Proclivities (Carrboro, NC) | Posted: Jul 20, 2011 - 19:47 mrdak wrote: Terry Kath will definitely make you stop what you're doin' and listen......... Speak for yourself. Great tune and nice solo in this also, however. |
| shiningstar (cork ireland) | Posted: Jun 28, 2011 - 12:16 brilliant song brilliant band definetly stirrs up memories of my childhood |
| Hannio (Austin, TX) | Posted: May 18, 2011 - 12:50 I can feel my brain cells dying. Rock doesn't get any more moribund than this. |
| mrdak (Middle GA) | Posted: May 18, 2011 - 12:48 Terry Kath will definitely make you stop what you're doin' and listen......... |
| parrothead (could be anywhere in the great USA) | Posted: May 18, 2011 - 12:46 Moonflower31 wrote: 25 or 6 to 4 refers to Robert Lamb looking at the clock after a marathon session and the clock read either 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am. I liked the acid trip story better. |
| a_genuine_find (not me, Radio P) (3rd stone, sol, orion belt, milkyway) | Posted: Mar 16, 2011 - 12:17 vandal wrote: Outstanding!!!  |
| vandal (arriving somewhere, but not here. . .) | Posted: Mar 16, 2011 - 12:14 Outstanding!!! |
| Dave_Mack (Picking cherries) | Posted: Mar 16, 2011 - 12:11 Always dug this one. Great geetar, beyond the obviously studly horns. |
| Ahnyer_Keester (Chicago Il) | Posted: Mar 16, 2011 - 12:09 Aaahhh, Chicago when they were still fusion. Before the pop virus ate the heart of the band. Thanks for playing this!! |
| JK27 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA) | Posted: Mar 16, 2011 - 12:09 Wow! Didn't expect this one! 9 |
| Netto (Khimki, Russia) | Posted: Feb 13, 2011 - 03:32 10, without questions.. One of my faves song. |
| bam23 (Berkeley) | Posted: Jan 12, 2011 - 21:03 This is one that has never appreciated in value for me since it was ubiquitous on the radio. |
| Moonflower31 (Flagstaff) | Posted: Dec 12, 2010 - 09:51 RedGuitar wrote: Someone told me it was symbolic of an acid trip. The 25 from LSD-25, The 6 to 4 meaning 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM duration of the trip, and much of the lyric referring to it. Dunno, just sayin' what I was told many years ago. The marathon recording session story sounds better. 25 or 6 to 4 refers to Robert Lamb looking at the clock after a marathon session and the clock read either 25 or 26 minutes before 4 am. |
| macpeck | Posted: Dec 12, 2010 - 09:46 Like running into an old friend... |
| Ja300Mes (North Fork) | Posted: Nov 10, 2010 - 15:09 catsoup wrote: What is the square root of a tomato? The one which is not semi-circular. |
| RedGuitar (Iowa, USA) | Posted: Nov 10, 2010 - 14:38 Peace_tode wrote: There is a story about the band writing this song in the studio during a marathon session. Back in the very early days Chicago was really a very rockin' and progressive band. Pretty good guitar work here and as tight a horn sound as you would get from Tower of Power or Blood Sweat and Tears. Check out some deep tracks from there unabashedly bold debut DOUBLE album. Someone told me it was symbolic of an acid trip. The 25 from LSD-25, The 6 to 4 meaning 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM duration of the trip, and much of the lyric referring to it. Dunno, just sayin' what I was told many years ago. The marathon recording session story sounds better. |
| jmsmy (Music Town, Klein, Texas) | Posted: Nov 10, 2010 - 14:37 The most under rated rock band through the years. |
| lerxst (A Planet in the Solar Federation) | Posted: Nov 10, 2010 - 14:32 I always heard that 25, 6, and 4 are bus lines in Chicago. So you could either get to a destination by taking the 25 line or the 6 and 4 lines. |
| Rooney (Near Paradise) | Posted: Oct 10, 2010 - 07:11 rabaak wrote: This is off maybe their best album. Too me they started a long decent with Chicago III and after about Chicago IV, the decent got steeper. I think it was sooner than that... |
| Rooney (Near Paradise) | Posted: Oct 10, 2010 - 07:10 This album and their first were the high points of their creativity. Great, innovative stuff....and then...the pop producers took over. Pity. |
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