Chicago [II] Songs Ranked

Chicago (retroactively known as Chicago II) is the second studio album by Chicago-based American rock band Chicago. Like their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, this was a double album. It was their first album under the name Chicago (the band’s prior name, Chicago Transit Authority, was changed due to a threatened lawsuit from the actual mass-transit operator bearing the same name) and the first to use the now ubiquitous cursive Chicago logo on the cover. Released in January 1970 on Columbia Records, Chicago was commercially successful. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in April of the same year of its release, and certified platinum in 1991. It reached No. 4 on the album charts in the United States and No. 6 on the album charts in the UK, and produced three top ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The album received three Grammy Award nominations – for Album of the Year, Contemporary Vocal Group, and Best Album Cover. It was voted best album of 1970 by readers of Cash Box magazine, and the 1971 best small-combo LP by readers of Playboy magazine. Here are all of Chicago [II] songs ranked.

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10. Where Do We Go From Here

“Wilson is (yet again) to be praised for his work on an album that has fallen by the appreciation wayside. “Where Do We Go From Here” – Peter Cetera asks in the final song of “Chicago”. You buy this and get all Funky Prog Classical on your living room”

9. 3rd Movement

“All I can say is: Wow! What a hell of a job Steven Wilson did on fixing the sonic problems of Chicago II. Anyone who knows and loves this recording knows that the sonics were awful, unlike most of Chicago’s recordings.”

8. 1st Movement

“Chicago II is a magnificent piece of work, but it’s always been betrayed by its flat, muddy sound. No longer. Master musician Steven Wilson has built a prosperous side career as a redeemer of cruddy sounding records and this had to be his toughest test yet.”

See more: Chicago Albums Ranked

7. P.M. Mourning

“These guys never got that much “prog rock” respect,” but they were, at their best, perhaps a “prog pop” band, and this album, with its extended suites, along with several individual gems, is their signature album. “

6. Prelude

“For young listeners, Chicago may be that band that plays a lot of love songs. But they should know that the band’s first two albums were diverse–musically and politically–and featured some hard rock sounds.”

5. Fancy Colors

“There are several versions of Chicago II available in the marketplace. Each reflect the greatness and magic these original members brought to Rock and Roll…..now finally being acknowledged in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

See more: Chicago Songs Ranked

4. To Be Free

“Always loved this album. Chicago was still a great fusion of hard rock, pop, and jazz. Just enough radio-friendly hits to get you interested and then you find yourself really enjoying everything else on there as well.”

3. West Virginia Fantasies

“Chicago II is arguably this group’s finest and most commercially accessible album they ever recorded. Although recorded over 40 years ago, the songs still sound fresh and appealing. This album and the one previous helped introduce me to the larger world of jazz and big band tunes a long time ago and for this alone, I am grateful.”

2. Make Me Smile

“Chicago II, who wouldn’t love this cd. It contains, truly, the very best of this band, at that time in their career . Great memories and a great collection of songs. I Love It, and anyone else who remembers the 60’s will too. You can’t go wrong with cd in your collection.”

1. Poem for the People

“Follow-up to their debut album, which was scorching HOT. This one still smolders … check the song list. Unfortunately, things start to slide towards popville after this. This disc and Chicago Transit Authority are must haves for your collection.”