I remembered you saying you played the sax ... so I was waiting to see your face when the horns kicked in. Didn't disappoint.

It's not about drugs, it's about being exhausted and suffering from writer's block at 3:30 in the morning. The brass section really set Chicago apart and made their music instantly recognizable. Can't imagine somebody having a trumpet blasting in their ear every single day (!) but glad to see your appreciation for horns wasn't permanently stifled. For more Chicago, check out "Saturday in the Park" or "Color My World".

@glenchapman3899

4 ай бұрын

It is not 3.30am it is 3.35 or 3.36 am 😏

@MDreeezy

4 ай бұрын

@glenchapman3899 3:34-3:35!!*😉

@user-mv4be1tc2u

4 ай бұрын

​@@MDreeezyYes, 3:34 or 3:35 a.m. 👍

@ZagiBob

4 ай бұрын

You r my fav reaction vid person because you have respect for the music and DON’T INTERRUPT THE SONG like others

@melanieredfield9736

4 ай бұрын

@@glenchapman3899 I realize, just generalized it for the sake of brevity. Lol!

Most reactors are steered toward the Tanglewood live version of this because Terry Kath's guitar solo is amazingly epic

@annewoodard6803

4 ай бұрын

The sound quality is awful though. I don’t know why everyone loves it, the recorded version is much better.

@RicoCosta317

4 ай бұрын

​@@annewoodard6803Absolutely agree!

@glennbrock6560

4 ай бұрын

@@annewoodard6803 Because watching the Terry Kath solo was unreal. Hendrix' favorite guitaristl

@user-mv4be1tc2u

4 ай бұрын

​@@glennbrock6560Kath, I think talk to text got ya, lol

@glennbrock6560

4 ай бұрын

@@user-mv4be1tc2u yes ty, will correct

Chicago Live at Tanglewood version of this song will blow your mind.

It’s about writing a song in the middle of night. Literally describing how tired he is, what he is seeing while struggling to find words to say. One of the greatest rock songs ever. RIP Terry Kath.

@gregorysimmers

4 ай бұрын

True, its a song about writing a song by their keyboardist1

I believe the song is about a late night writing session and he was trying stay awake because it was almost 3:30 in the morning. The live version at Tanglewood is amazing!

@tuffsheddweller

4 ай бұрын

You are correct sir! 👍

Lamm said the song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 a.m., phrased as, "twenty-five or [twenty-]six [minutes] to four [o'clock]," (i.e. 03:34 or 03:35).

Check out the live version of experiencing writer's block at 25 or 26 minutes till 4 AM. Peter Cetera, the singer, recorded the hit "25 or 6 to 4" while his mouth was wired shut from a broken jaw

RIP - Terry Kath, one of the most underrated guitarists ever. The lyrics refer to the lyricist being tired at night, looking at the clock, and not being able to tell if it was 25 or 6 to 4. Peter Cetera on bass and lead vocal.

I believe it’s classified as “Big Band” rock. Their guitarist, Terry Kath, was a BEAST, but passed away young and the band ended up going a different direction. This was my favorite period of their music :)

The charts on the brass for Chicago -- done by their own members -- are amazing. Mix of Big Band and Rock.

Congrats...you discovered Chicago! A massive rabbit hole to go down! I'd suggest "Saturday in the Park", "Make me Smile", "Hard to say I'm Sorry". So many bangers!

@markh.7650

4 ай бұрын

The Rabbit hole next door to this is E.L.O. Also worth exploring. It's all "Happy" music that just puts a smile on your face that hurts after a while.

Terry Kath is definitely on the Mt Rushmore of guitar players!!

Greatest American rock band ever for my money. 28 years old, heard the 80s stuff from my parents and found the 70s stuff on my own. Their first two albums are the best two pieces of music I’ve ever heard, would highly recommend listening. Like nothing you’ve ever heard before

also a wonderful song by these guys is called Saturday in the Park.

@joycewright3136

4 ай бұрын

I will never forget being 12 years old and getting my first transiter radio for Christ mas. I turned it on and the first song I heard was Saturday in the Park by Chicago!!!

Should have watched it live. Crazy good performance.

@LadyVonCracker

4 ай бұрын

I’m sure Live is good but in my opinion first listen should always be studio.. its perfected the way the band intended. Live can be a turn off if you aren’t already a fan. 🤷🏼‍♀️

@glassontherocks

4 ай бұрын

@@LadyVonCracker Watch it yourself and you will see the dynamics involved. Studio is nice with all of the filtering but raw is part of the 60's.

You just heard one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.

This band had 3 lead singers; the lead on this song is Peter Cetera. To hear the other 2, react to "Make Me Smile" (guitarist Terry Kath) and "Beginnings" (keyboardist Robert Lamm).

Yep! Right on the money... They are talking about the time 3:35 am. The song is about having 'writers block' while trying to think up new material. It was recorded in 1969. I was 5 ...

Pretty good. I think you are the first reactor who got the meaning of the title the first time. Keep up the good vibes

You should start your Chicago journey with "Introduction" from their first album "Chicago Transit Authority"

🤗 YAY! You did my request! Thank you!!! You had said you played a brass instrument and then when you said . “how many city names bands are there..lol this popped in my head. 💙😎 -now back to SUPERTRAMP logical song or goodbye stranger or breakfast in America. (If you do read this let me know how I can donate $ to your time)

@MDreeezy

4 ай бұрын

Haha im seeing your comments! I got you. Check my channel now! kzread.info/dash/bejne/aIOY2cqnn5zKgaw.htmlsi=lT6lFpprD0xDY8GB

Yes, it was the time, late night!!

There are two Chicagos, The awesome years when the guitarist Terry Kath, set the direction of the band, but sadly, he accidentally killed playing with a gun he thought was empty. Jimi Hendrix saw them as an unsigned band playing in a bar. He walked backstage and told them Kath was a better guitarist than he was. He was so impressed he invited him to open for him on a world tour. Jimi got them signed and became close friends with Terry. After Terry's death, Peter Cetera (Bass and vocals) took the lead and moved them into soft ballad love songs, giving them their best-selling songs, many people like me saw them as sellouts. Course once they blew up, Peter went solo. When Jimi saw them they were still going under their original name Chicago Transit Athourity. I've heard members say they were ordered by the real CTA to cease and assist, in other interviews I've heard them say it was their idea to shorten the name. During Terry's time, they had three singers as main vocalists each with their own unique voice. Terry was called the White Ray Charles, Peter had a soaring voice like in this song, and Robert Lamm (Keyboard and vocals) had the most versatile voice. A good video to hear their voices of them doing "I'm a Man" cover of a Spencer Davis Group song. They take turns taking lead vocals, there is a video of them playing it live so you can see who is singing. Since you like horns you should start listening to Ska, it's a cross of Reggae, Rock, Swing, and Punk. I would suggest Reel Big Fish, in my top 5 favorite bands and by far the most fun to see live.

Got to check out their live performance of this song at Tanglewood in 1970. Amazing extended guitar solo. Just amazing.

Very impressed, most people don't understand the title even after listening for decades, bravo, the band was up all night trying to write and finally just described there night.

This song was a released was released as a single and did well in the British charts back in the day! There was so much exceptional music to hear on the radio back then!!..

Chicago has two distinct phases. The early years was mostly music like this. “Saturday in the park” and “If you leave me now” will definitely lift your worries. The second iteration of Chicago is heavy synth ballads and love songs. Both are VERY good. “Hard habit to break” and “you’re the inspiration” from the second phase of Chicago are winners.

These are musicians and they existed from Motown, Disco, Rock, Blues. 70s are worth your time to check out.

dancing lights hit the sky ,,,spinning room is sinking deep = we all thought ACID ACID ACID

Love the way you don't keep interrupting the songs, you just get into them

🌳 'Saturday in The Park'. ☺️ The horn accents are my favorite. 🥰🐰

Yes, Sax, Trumpet, and T-Bone. On the first album they were called Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and shortened it before the second album.

Other best Chicago songs. 'Make Me Smile' (guitarist Terry Kath on vocals, amazing) & 'Saturday in the Park'...a huge song & especially for the 4th of July. Both incredible.

You should watch the live in Concert at Tanglewood version! Terry Kath the Guitarist RIP was Jimi Hendrix’s favourite Guitarist.

Young man you have the horns in your soul. Beautiful reaction. Rock On

🤓 It was always interesting watching Chicago on stage! 🤗 There's so many of them & they switch off vocally. 🤩 But the horn section always fascinated me. They all play different Brass. So you could be jamming to a song then 😳 "is that a flute?" or jamming then 😳 "Did dude just pull out an Oboe?" 😍 Chicago were even more amazing when joined by Earth, Wind & Fire on stage. They always encored together, no matter which band went on first. 🤯 It was amazing! 😁🐰

Tanglewood live show version🔥✌🤘

Jimi Hendrix was very impressed by Terry Kath's playing. A fantastic solo!

Thank God you played the original

The story goes in their hotel room after a show, they partied till they passed out. One of em woke up and asked what time was it. Another guy looked at the clock and said 25 or 6 to 4❤

Chicago started out as Chicago Transit Authority for their first 3 albums if I remember correctly and then shortened the name to just Chicago. Terry Kath, Robert Lamm and Peter Cetera formed the lead vocal trio that allowed the group to put together different sounds. Make me smile is still one of favs, but 25 or 6 to 4 with Kath's amazing guitar solo will always my Chicago go to. They went more pop in the 70s after bringing David Foster in to help them with some tunes.

The drummer is awesome!

"Feeling Stronger Everyday" is another great song. The guitarist (Terry Kath) was incredible. His tragically shot himself... here I found this: Kath began to play with his guns. He spun his unloaded .38 revolver on his finger, put it to his temple, and pulled the trigger. Johnson warned Kath several times to be careful. Kath picked up a semi-automatic 9-mm pistol and, leaning back in a chair, said to Johnson, "Don't worry about it ... Look, the clip is not even in it." His last words were, "What do you think I'm gonna do? Blow my brains out?" To calm Johnson's concerns, Kath showed him the empty magazine. Kath then replaced the magazine in the gun, put the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger. Apparently unbeknownst to Kath, the gun had a round in the chamber. He died instantly from the gunshot, at the age of 31, eight days before his 32nd birthday.

One of the best bands to listen to on vinyl. 🙌

Not about drugs. About lack of sleep and the time of day. Its about finding something to write for a song, and unable to sleep for the pressure to write a tune for the next album.

Another deep rabbit hole for you. Early Chicago, up to their 15th album, is the best Chicago. Keep up the great reactions 😊 Walt Parazider played the sax, flute, clarinet, etc.

Two Billy Joel songs with really nice saxophone solos in them, seeing as you played the saxophone. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant Just the Way You Are

You're right about the horn section: trumpet, trombone and sax.

My favorite Chicago song!

Early Chicago is insanely good! You want a positive vibe, listen to Feelin’ Stronger Everyday. Their debut was as Chicago Transit Authority and its epic.

It looked like you were trying to stop yourself from smiling all the time. No need to do that. You have a beautiful smile! I love it when you share it. I bet everyone would agree.

Thanks for your response, bro! The genre is called JAZZ-ROCK, check out the band BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS, who also played this type of music. Spinning Wheel is a good song by them. 😊😊😊😊

The sax is definitely in this song.

You need to listen to the live Tanglewood version. The guitar solo is awesome.

Wow, you got it right ! Yes, he's talking about trying to figure out what time it is.😊

You can't beat the Tanglewood live version of this. It's so impressive.

You NEED to react to the live video of this!!!

Favorite band! So much amazing music you can dive into.

Enjoying your reactions! Seen them twice in Toronto in the 70s Fantastic Along with many other great bands Supertramp Pink Floyd Frank Zappa Neil Young Too many to mention. So lucky to have lived through the 70s Tickets were 20 to 30 dollars Just incredible. Cheers

Is a state of being that we all know will happen sometime 🎉🎉

You picked up the instruments correctly and you are right the title is about the early morning hours. 👍 This was from 1970.

We were rockin back then 1970 I was 20 and having a blast! Thanks for the review

Thats why I played the violin 😊

Great reaction! Love Chicago! I think Saturday in the park , is a fantastic song. Someone suggested!

Yes they are talking about the time. He wrote this song when it was 25 or 26 minutes till 4 in the morning

Terry kath on guitar. Dam he was so fucking good❤️🤘

Keep enjoying the journey, Young Man. There's so much more for you to discover!

I can also recommend their number : I'm a man. I'm sure you will like it. Enjoy their fantastic music.

If you like some brass in your rock, Blood Sweat and Tears is a band you probably would like…..And When I Die….would be a good start. Spinning Wheel. Lucretia McEvil are two other good ones.

I agree with everybody live at tanglewood really showcases Terry kaths' guitar chops and the whole band, which there are alot of members.

Check out "Saturday In The Park", "Beginnings", "Feeling Stronger Every Day" and "Make Me Smile".

Yep, the live version from Tanglewood is a great one.

The song was written by Robert Lamm, who wrote many of their early bangers and also sang lead on some, thiugh here it's Peter Cetera. It's not about drugs but instead about Lamm having writer's block and working all night trying to come up with a song idea, so he wrote about the process and this was the excellent result. Only one of the greatest songs of the rock era.

Dang dude ya nailed it. It took me a minute. Im 53. Great reaction and jam.

I remember watching a Terry Kath Documentary and his widow said the song was indeed about drugs.

I love anything with a horn. Just a fun tune. We don't know what it means, just dig it.

well done my friends!!!!!

🇨🇦 You are missing out on the REAL experience ! The best was the live version from Tanglewood ! And if you want more Horns, try reacting to "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty ! 🇨🇦

Ure right doing the studio version 1st cause as we old timers that's all we had to start with. Later if we were lucky we'd c them in concert or mabe on the midnight special. But u won't b complete till u c the 1970 live version. Looking forward to it!!!!

Not one bad song of Chicago, excellent band

I seen them at an outdoor concert at teh BBQ roundup in my hometown of Cedar Rapids Iowa, downtown on the bridge

It’s jazz rock. And yes, you heard a sax.

Chicago is a band that has an early sound and a later sound. Both are good, but they're a bit different. This is early Chicago, which has more of a hard rocking sound. Later Chicago features the same singer as this song, but in more of a ballad / love song format. The horns remain a signature element throughout. As for hard v soft rock ... I'd class this as hard. Most younger people don't know how much soft rock there was, and they haven't heard it. There's a TON of rock softer than this.

"Beginnings" and "Make Me Smile" next!

They were going into the studio to record the next day and had to finish writing it so late night writing session

You gotta remember music started in the late 50s and died in the late 80s.

When you are done the city, you can do the continents, the band Europe and the band Asia😂

In the Terry Kath Experience documentary, his widow said it was about whether or not to do more coke.

Dude if your digging this guitar, check out their song “poem 58” it’ll make you run out and buy a guitar🤘❤️

you're doing a great job!! I wish you much success with your channel.

You GOTTA do the Tanglewood version.

My young brother in music I lived in the 60sand70s it's all rockinroll.the baby of the Blues and Country. PEACE AND LOVE.

Yeah, LSD was pretty big around that time. It helped change the Beatles approach to music.

After this song came out, lots of school bands started playing it. It’s an epic, amazing song, and I’m glad you discovered it!

25 or 6 to 4 l is all about the band being in a. Music studio at 4 am and they have been there all night trying to write material for their new album and to think of lyrics for their songs ,the band is paying for the studio time and so every hour that goes by cost more money so you can appreciate the song in that aspect for they had to hurry up the song writing just wanted to clarify it's meaning

❤❤❤❤

About staying up all night trying to write a song.

need to see them perform this song live at Tanglewood and watch the horns and Terry Kath's solo guitar-then dive down deep into the rabbit hole as they have at least 40 hit songs. also blood sweat And Tears is another horn rock band you may enjoy-they're a bit jazzier-try Spinning wheel (album Version) to start.

There is a LIVE version they use as the Official video downloaded over a decade ago on youtube but in low-def. It is a GREAT one though to GET TO SEE THEM LIVE when the original guitarist was still alive - Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4 - 7/21/1970 - Tanglewood LIVE.