Chicago X Songs Ranked
Chicago X is the eighth studio album, and tenth album overall, by the American band Chicago. It was recorded at Caribou Ranch and it was released by Columbia Records on June 14, 1976. The album made it to number three on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 21, 1976, a week after its release. It was the band’s first album to be certified platinum, on September 14, 1976, and has since been certified multi-platinum. In honor of the group’s platinum album achievement, Columbia Records awarded the group a 25-pound bar of pure platinum, made by Cartier. (Billboard magazine reported it as a 30-pound bar). Here are all of Chicago X songs ranked.
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11. Another Rainy Day in New York City
“Another Rainy Day in New York City” by Robert Lamm follows. This song has steel drums and a reggae flavor. This song is the first song on this CD that is not a love or relationship song.”
10. Together Again
“Together Again” is sort of upbeat, but feels lacking to me for whatever reason. The vocal melody is the problem- it’s too ordinary. Despite the disappointingly restrained horns and the obvious attempt to commercialize the bands sound, it’s alright.”
9. Hope for Love
“The original album closed with the mellow and beautiful Terry Kath song “Hope for Love.” The only problems with this song are that it is a reminder of Chicago’s earliest days and of the loss of Terry Kath. The mellotron touches and the vocal style provide a poignant end to contrast with the upbeat music leading to it. This song is a well-placed end to the original album.”
See more: Chicago Albums Ranked
8. If You Leave Me Now
“If You Leave Me Now” was Chicago’s first #1 song, on both the pop singles and adult contemporary charts. This beautiful pop ballad by Peter Cetera is stylistically different from Chicago’s typical music, and the differences in musical direction would lead Peter to eventually leave the group.”
7. You Get It Up
“You Get It Up” is funky in a Sly & the Family Stone kind of way. The melody consists of chants, and the guitar solo is actually really awesome. It has that futuristic new wave funky sound to it that some of the more innovative mid 70’s artists used.”
6. Skin Tight
“”Skin Tight” has a TERRIFIC intro with the tricky and ominous jazz work before eventually turning into a generic Peter Cetera rocker. His vocals are really whiny here the way he screams “SKIN TIGHT”. The brass and guitar solos are pretty good but Peter Cetera seriously needed to lower his register a notch or two.”
5. Gently I’ll Wake You
“Gently I’ll Wake You” is another Robert Lamm song that has an opening that sounds heavily influenced by Harry Nilsson. The song breaks into funky portions, but returns again to the Nilsson-like sound; quite an interesting song that mixes two very different styles.”
See more: Chicago Songs Ranked
4. You Are on My Mind
“You Are on My Mind,” a song of separation and love that opens in a mellow blues style that adds jazz elements. However, there is a break where the song speeds up and adds funk elements to momentarily change the style of the song before transitioning back to a jazz flavored song with a Latin tempo. This song hit #49 on the pop singles chart.”
3. Scrapbook
“Scrapbook” is an introspective song by Robert Lamm. The song is about the band, performing in various locations, hanging out with other groups, and recording at Caribou Ranch. The tempo continues upbeat even though the song talks about the stress of being on the road and the fights the group had. The instrumentals get very funky as the song closes out in a very mid-70s style.”
2. Once or Twice
“The album opens with several traditionally styled Chicago songs. The first is a jazz horn-driven love song, “Once or Twice.” This Terry Kath song is powerful, fast, and upbeat. The song sets the upbeat tone for the rest of the album.”
1. Mama Mama
“Mama Mama” is a Peter Cetera ballad and not a particularly memorable one at that. It’s too lightweight and barely melodic. Cetera’s attempt to be soulful falls flat as well- he goes too far and ruins it.”
