Chicago III Songs Ranked
Chicago III is the third studio album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1971. It was the band’s third consecutive double album of new studio material in less than two years. In the wake of the enormous worldwide success of their second album, Chicago spent almost all of 1970 on the road, an exhausting undertaking. Former drummer Danny Seraphine, described the members of the band as “fatigued and road-weary” when they went into the studio to record the album. Released in January 1971, initially on Columbia Records, Chicago III — the band’s first album to sport a Roman numeral in its title — sold well upon its release and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) a month later. It provided Chicago with its highest-charting disc yet in the US, going to No. 2 on the Billboard 200. “Free”, written by Robert Lamm, made it into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and “Lowdown”, co-written by Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine, reached the top 40. Chicago III marked a dwindling in UK fortunes in comparison to the band’s first two albums, Chicago Transit Authority and Chicago, reaching No. 9 in a brief chart run. In 1974, jazz bandleader Stan Kenton added a suite of songs from the album (“Canon”, “Mother”, “Once Upon a Time” and “Free”) to his band’s repertoire, releasing it on the album Stan Kenton Plays Chicago. Here are all of Chicago III songs ranked.
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10. Man vs. Man: The End
“Lucky for them Chicago were able to reach out to their audience with their journey of musical creativity rather then alienate them with a lot of self indulgent tricks.That’s why it’s important to acknowledge the presense of funk in their music;funk,and jazz by degrees are music’s that are able to be ambitious AND reach out and touch the human heart and pulse in different ways.”
9. Once Upon a Time
“People more familiar with Chicago will tell you they had a bunch of hits, and that they frequently used brass instruments to give their music a distinct sound. With all due respect, I don’t think many of these people are aware of the things Chicago was doing in the early days.”
8. Dreamin’ Home
“The “dreamin’ home” part reminds me of the Who. “flight 602” is a song you can imagine Poco or the Eagles doing, and it wouldn’t surprise me if either of these artists DID cover the song, maybe in concert. It’s a melodic song with great lyrics, particularly the line “you are in a hotel, and in your room alone, lying there, but not knowing where you’re supposed to be”. “motorboat to mars” is just your typical short drum solo, similar to what Led Zeppelin, Cream, Black Sabbath, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer have done, and no doubt many more bands have done the same thing.”
See more: Chicago Albums Ranked
7. Off to Work
“As far as I’m concerned, Chicago’s early period has been ignored for far too long and it’s time for people to hear what they’ve been missing. What we have on the first three Chicago records is just about anything a rock and roll fan could want out of a band. I think their third album, despite many people who would disagree with me, is their finest hour. “
6. Mother
“Mother” combines strong horn music with a solid rock tapestry. The vocals here presage 10cc’s later 70s music that would frequently use a similar style, though without the brass. Brass will always set apart and define Chicago’s early music.”
5. At the Sunrise
“At the sunrise” has EXCELLENT vocal work, but it’s understandable if someone wouldn’t like the other ballad “what else can I say?” That’s the only moment on the entire album I can think where the band becomes more soft and mushy than many people would probably be able to handle. But it doesn’t matter- this song is SHORT, and you have nearly 70 minutes or so of great rock music straight ahead.”
See more: Chicago Songs Ranked
4. Free Country
“Although the overall sound on III is pretty much in keeping with what you might expect from Chicago around this time (full throttle acid jazz rock with some great jamming), there is a tiny dash of avant-garde tendencies that set it apart; evidently a few of the guys were interested in Edgar Varese, Stockhausen and other similarly “serious” composers. The essentially structureless Free Country is the best example of this and features a pastoral blend of piano, flute and other quiet instruments – the closest comparison I can think of is the track Moonchild (In the Court of the Crimson King, King Crimson, 1969).”
3. Flight 602
“Fight 602” is a song you can imagine Poco or the Eagles doing, and it wouldn’t surprise me if either of these artists DID cover the song, maybe in concert. It’s a melodic song with great lyrics, particularly the line “you are in a hotel, and in your room alone, lying there, but not knowing where you’re supposed to be”.
2. What Else Can I Say
“While Peter Cetera was often the pop hit making baladeer of this band, here he gives us “What Else Can I Say” which has an oddly country feel to it, complete with pedal steel guitar! T What Else Can I Say” has a bit of a country flavor but the guitars sound right out of a Beatles song. Part of the harmony also has a bit of Beatles’ flavor to it as well.”
1. Sing a Mean Tune Kid
“Sing A Mean Tune Kid” has a perfect Sly Stone riff and is one of Chicago’s funkiest jams;it runs on awhile and ends up in a Terry Kath solo but it’s great regardless. “Sing a Mean Tune Kid” shows a funkier side of the band that you handn’t heard from them before.”