Chicago XI Songs Ranked

Chicago XI, released in 1977, is the ninth studio album (eleventh overall) by the American band Chicago and marked the end of an era for the band. This would be the last Chicago studio album to feature guitarist Terry Kath prior to his death in a gun accident just over four months later, and the last Chicago LP to be produced by James William Guercio. On January 23, 1978, a few months after Chicago XI’s release, Terry Kath, regarded by many as the “soul” of Chicago, accidentally and fatally shot himself during a party at roadie Don Johnson’s house. A gun enthusiast, Kath attempted to calm the guests’ surprise when—while reportedly inebriated—he pulled out his gun to clean it by demonstrating that it was unloaded and promptly pointed the gun to his head and pulled the trigger, not realizing a bullet was in the chamber. The remaining members of Chicago were shocked and devastated by Kath’s death, and even considered breaking up. After a few weeks of mourning, they decided to move on, thus beginning a new era in the band’s history. They would recruit singer/guitarist Donnie Dacus for the follow-up, Hot Streets. Here are all of Chicago XI songs ranked.

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11. Little One

“Little One” finishes up the 9-minute suite, and it’s a slow-paced, soulful ballad. The vocals are a little too slushy for me to really admire, and the “do do do” courtesy of the background vocals is a little overdone, but I like the rhythm when it speeds up near the end.”

10. Prelude (Little One)

“Prelude (Little One)- Picking up where The Inner Struggles of A Man crescendoes this is an excellent lead-in to Little One. “Prelude (Little One),” a short (52 seconds) blues introduction.”

9. Take Me Back to Chicago

“A touching song written by Danny Seraphine and “Hawk” Wolinski for Freddy Page, the late drummer of the Illinois Speed Press. However with Terry’s untimely passing being so close to the release of this album this song is seemingly just as much written for Terry as it’s written for Page.”

See more: Chicago Albums Ranked

8. The Inner Struggles of a Man

“The orchestration on this piece provides a beautiful segue from the more upbeat This Time to the more somber Little One. It’s a very beautiful piece and it sounds like it could be used for a film.”

7. Policeman

“Musically speaking it’s not one of Robert Lamm’s stronger songs. The lyrics however are written quite well in a story-telling style which is somewhat reminiscent of the songs of Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Chapin. The horns are quite prominent, Terry’s guitar playing accents and compliments the horns nicely.”

6. This Time

“For a slower song, Terry really jams on this song as well. Lee Loughnane’s lead vocals are very reminiscent of Terry’s soulful style in fact at first listen one would almost assume that it is indeed Terry, not Lee, on lead vocals. One of Lee’s finer attempts at being a songwriter and a singer.”

See more: Chicago Songs Ranked

5. Till the End of Time

“James Pankow’s second endeavour as lead vocalist. While somewhat slow, this song still contains a lot of the elements of earlier Chicago. The syrup doesn’t run quite as thick as on Baby What a Big Surprise. The horns are still quite prominent, the vocals are well done by Pankow leaving some fans wondering why he only sang lead on two Chicago songs during his entire (and continued) tenure with the band. “

4. Takin’ It on Uptown

“In a word WOW! Terry Kath at his absolute best! Both vocally and on guitar- Terry Kath shines on this album. Some of Terry’s best playing since his marathon solos on Live at Carnegie Hall. The lyrics are written by Fred Kagan, however they seem to carry a similar theme to the lyrics of Mississippi Delta City Blues. This song has a more upbeat theme to it although Terry sings it in an almost angry, fed-up tone.”

3. Baby, What a Big Surprise

“his is the rough in the diamonds, reinforcing the label of “ballad band” for Chicago. It might as well have been called If You Leave Me Now Part II- This Time We’ll REALLY Give You Cavities.”

2. Vote for Me

“Typical Robert Lamm political commentary. This song is quite tongue-in-cheek, however, lyrically speaking it seems a bit weaker than Policeman. On the musical end of things this song has a stronger feel to it than some of Robert’s other endeavours from the late seventies.”

1. Mississippi Delta City Blues

“Viewed by some fans as Terry’s swan song. This song can be interpreted on multiple levels. Terry’s laugh at the beginning of the song juxtaposed with the lyrics about masking his unhappiness is a very nice creative effect. Peter Cetera shines on the bass on this song. The guitar riff is catchy, the horns accent Terry and Peter’s performance. Although this song had been around since Chicago’s days playing the club circuit in the late sixties, the lyrics seem particularly pertinent to Terry’s feelings at the time of its recording.”