Chicago

Annotation

The song "Chicago" (Atlantic # 10 017), probably the most well-known of the tracks about the 1968 demonstrations outside the Democratic Nation Convention in Chicago, and the subsequent trial of the Chicago Seven / Eight. Released by singer/songwriter Graham Nash, born 2 February 1942 in Blackpool, Lancashire, UK, and currently based in Manhattan, New York, USA. The song featured on his 1971 debut solo album Songs for Beginners (Atlantic # SD-7204), which also had the Vietnam War-related song "Military Madness" on it. A live version of the song is featured on the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young album 4 Way Street (Atlantic #SD 2-902), discussed below. It began with referencing the Bobby Seale controversy: "brother's bound and gagged...chained him to a chair". It questioned how that could happen in a country known for freedom. The song's repeated phrase "won't you please come to Chicago" called on people to take a stand.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: So your brother's bound and gagged / And they've chained him to a chair / Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing / In a land that's known for freedom how can such a thing be fair / Won't you please come to Chicago... / 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... / It's dying - if you believe in justice / Dying - and if you believe in freedom / Dying - let a man live his own life / 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 / Show your face, from the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon... / Come to Chicago no one else can take your place

Notes

Atlantic 45-2804 (A-21949 SP), side A, 45 R.P.M., vocal, red and black label; "Chicago" (Graham Nash), 2:55; Pub. Giving Room Music, BMI; produced by Graham Nash; "From Atlantic LP 7204"; Mfg. by Atlantic Recording Corp., 1841 Broadway, New York, N.Y. Housed in an Atlantic Records company sleeve. [From the record sleeve and labels]

About the artist

born 2 February 1942 in Blackpool, Lancashire, UK, and currently based in Manhattan, New York, USA.

Themes

Anti-War · Chicago Seven · Bobby Seale · Civil Rights

In collections

1968 Chicago Seven / Eight Songs · Civil Rights Songs · European Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years]