The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition
Encyclopedia
The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary is the two-CD greatest hits
and 31st album
by American
rock
band Chicago
, released by Rhino Records on October 2, 2007. It consists of two discs containing 30 of Chicago's top 40 singles, similar to The Very Best Of: Only the Beginning
, though not quite as comprehensive. It is the fourth compilation of past hits released by their label since beginning of the decade. Most of the songs on this compilation are presented as their shorter length radio-single edits, as opposed to the album versions.
Although no indication is given on the discs or the cover, the album should also be considered as "Chicago XXXI" (31) in their canon, as it is preceded by Chicago XXX (30) in 2006, and followed by Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus in 2008. This is further emphasized by the display of albums on the band's website.
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
and 31st album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
, released by Rhino Records on October 2, 2007. It consists of two discs containing 30 of Chicago's top 40 singles, similar to The Very Best Of: Only the Beginning
The Very Best of: Only the Beginning
The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning is a two-CD greatest hits album by American rock band Chicago. Released in 2002, this collection marked the beginning of a long-term partnership with Rhino Records which, between 2002 and 2005, would go on to remaster and re-release Chicago's 1969–1980...
, though not quite as comprehensive. It is the fourth compilation of past hits released by their label since beginning of the decade. Most of the songs on this compilation are presented as their shorter length radio-single edits, as opposed to the album versions.
Although no indication is given on the discs or the cover, the album should also be considered as "Chicago XXXI" (31) in their canon, as it is preceded by Chicago XXX (30) in 2006, and followed by Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus in 2008. This is further emphasized by the display of albums on the band's website.
Disc One
- "Questions 67 & 68" (Robert LammRobert LammRobert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
) - 3:26 - "25 or 6 to 425 or 6 to 4"25 or 6 to 4" is a song written by American musician Robert Lamm, one of the founding members of the rock/jazz fusion band Chicago. It was recorded for their second album, Chicago , with Peter Cetera on lead vocals. The song was edited and released as a single in June of the year 2009, climbing to...
" (Robert Lamm) - 2:53 - "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" is a song written and sung by Robert Lamm while in the rock band Chicago and recorded for their debut album The Chicago Transit Authority ....
" (Robert Lamm) - 2:46 - "Make Me SmileMake Me Smile"Make Me Smile" is a song written by James Pankow for the rock band Chicago. Part of Pankow's Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon song cycle/suite, it was recorded for their second album Chicago II...
" (James PankowJames PankowJames Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
) - 3:00 - "BeginningsBeginnings (song)"Beginnings" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the rock band Chicago and recorded for their debut album The Chicago Transit Authority, released in 1969. Lamm also provided lead vocals...
" (Robert Lamm) - 2:49 - "Colour My WorldColour My World (Chicago song)"Colour My World" is a song written by American musician James Pankow, one of the founding members of the rock/jazz fusion band Chicago. Part of Pankow's Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon song cycle/suite, it was recorded for their second album Chicago II...
" (James Pankow) - 3:03 - "Saturday in the ParkSaturday in the Park (song)"Saturday in the Park" is a song written by Robert Lamm and recorded by the group Chicago for their 1972 album Chicago V, with Lamm on piano and lead vocals and Peter Cetera on bass and backing vocals. The single version hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's highest-charting single...
" (Robert Lamm) - 3:56 - "Feelin' Stronger Every DayFeelin' Stronger Every Day"Feelin' Stronger Every Day" is a song written by Peter Cetera and James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VI . The first single released from that album, it reached #10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100....
" (James Pankow/Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
) - 4:15 - "Just You 'n' MeJust You 'N' Me"Just You 'N' Me" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VI , with Peter Cetera singing lead vocals. The second single released from that album, it reached #4 on the U.S...
" (James Pankow) - 3:43 - "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" Searchin' So Long" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII . The first single released from that album, it reached number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100....
" (James Pankow) - 4:18 - "Call on MeCall on Me (Chicago song)"Call On Me" is a song written by Lee Loughnane for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII , with Peter Cetera singing lead vocals. The second single released from the album, it reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart."Call On Me" was...
" (Lee LoughnaneLee LoughnaneLee Loughnane , born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.- Biography :...
) - 4:02 - "Wishing You Were HereWishing You Were Here"Wishing You Were Here" may also refer to a different song by Deborah Gibson."Wishing You Were Here" is a song written by Peter Cetera for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII , with lead vocals by Terry Kath , while Cetera sang the song's bridge...
" (Peter Cetera) - 3:01 - "Old DaysOld Days"Old Days" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII , with lead vocals by Peter Cetera. The second single released from that album, it reached #5 on the U.S...
" (James Pankow) - 3:31 - "Another Rainy Day in New York CityAnother Rainy Day in New York City"Another Rainy Day in New York City" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago X . The first single released from that album, it reached #32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and it was a #2 hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
" (Robert Lamm) - 3:01 - "If You Leave Me NowIf You Leave Me Now"If You Leave Me Now" is the title of a popular hit ballad by the American rock group Chicago, from their album Chicago X. It was written and sung by bass guitar player Peter Cetera and released as a single in July 1976....
" (Peter Cetera) - 3:56
Disc Two
- "Baby, What a Big SurpriseBaby, What a Big Surprise"Baby, What a Big Surprise" is a song written by Peter Cetera for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago XI , with Cetera singing lead vocals. The first single released from that album, it reached #4 on the U.S...
" (Peter Cetera) - 3:07 - "No Tell LoverNo Tell Lover"No Tell Lover" is a song written by Peter Cetera, Lee Loughnane, and Danny Seraphine for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Hot Streets , with Cetera and Donnie Dacus singing lead vocals. The second single released from that album, it reached #14 on the U.S...
" (Lee Loughnane/Danny SeraphineDanny SeraphineDaniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
/Peter Cetera) - 3:51 - "Hard to Say I'm SorryHard to Say I'm Sorry"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" is a 1982 Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit ballad performed by American rock group Chicago, written by band member Peter Cetera and producer David Foster from the album Chicago 16, released in 1982. The song hit number one for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 11...
" (Peter Cetera/David FosterDavid FosterDavid Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
) - 3:41 - "Love Me TomorrowLove Me Tomorrow"Love Me Tomorrow" is a song written by Peter Cetera and David Foster for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago 16 , with Cetera singing lead vocals. The second single released from the album, it reached #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and #8 on the adult contemporary chart....
" (Peter Cetera/David Foster) - 3:58 - "Hard Habit to BreakHard Habit to Break"Hard Habit to Break" is a song written by Steve Kipner and John Lewis Parks produced and arranged by David Foster and recorded by the group Chicago for their 1984 album Chicago 17, with Bill Champlin and Peter Cetera sharing lead vocals. Released as the second single from the album, it reached...
" (Peter Cetera/David Foster) - 4:46 - "You're the InspirationYou're the Inspiration-Charts:-Cover versions:*"You're the Inspiration" was covered by UK singer Elkie Brooks on her 1989 album, Inspiration, and by David Foster as an instrumental-piano version on his 1991 album, Rechordings...
" (Peter Cetera/David Foster) - 3:49 - "Will You Still Love Me?Will You Still Love Me? (Chicago song)"Will You Still Love Me?" is a song written by David Foster, Tom Keane and Richard Baskin for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago 18 . The second single released from that album, it reached number three on the U.S...
" (David Foster/Tom Keane/Richard BaskinRichard BaskinRichard Baskin is a film composer, and producer.best known as the writer of several songs from the Robert Altman film Nashville, and other creative film scores in the 1970's and 1980's...
) - 4:13 - "If She Would Have Been Faithful...If She Would Have Been Faithful..."If She Would Have Been Faithful... " is a song written by Steve Kipner and Randy Goodrum for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago 18 , with Jason Scheff singing lead vocals. The third single released from that album, it was a Top 10 adult contemporary hit and also reached #17 on...
" (Steve KipnerSteve KipnerSteve Kipner is a multi-platinum-selling songwriter and record producer with hits spanning over a 40 year history, including chart-topping songs such as Olivia Newton-John's "Physical", Chicago's Grammy-nominated "Hard Habit to Break", "Genie In A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera, for which he won an...
/Randy GoodrumRandy GoodrumRandy Goodrum is an American songwriter. Goodrum has written numerous popular songs, including Anne Murray's #1 hit "You Needed Me" and "Broken Hearted Me" , Michael Johnson's "Bluer Than Blue" , England Dan & John Ford Coley's "It's Sad to Belong" , Steve Perry's "Oh Sherrie" , DeBarge's "Who's...
) - 3:51 - "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your LoveI Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love"I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" is a Billboard Hot 100 #3 hit song which was written by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago 19 , with Bill Champlin singing lead vocals. The first single released from that album, it reached number three...
" (Albert HammondAlbert HammondAlbert Hammond OBE is a British singer, songwriter and record producer from Gibraltar.-Birth and early success:Hammond was born in London, England, where his family had been evacuated to from Gibraltar during World War II. His family returned to Gibraltar shortly after his birth, and there he grew...
/Diane WarrenDiane WarrenDiane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
) - 3:55 - "Look AwayLook Away"Look Away" is the name of a 1989 #1 Billboard Hot 100 Chart hit written by Diane Warren. It was recorded by the band Chicago for their 1988 album Chicago 19, with Bill Champlin singing lead vocals. When released as a single that year, the song proved successful, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for...
" (Diane Warren) - 4:00 - "What Kind of Man Would I Be?What Kind Of Man Would I Be?"What Kind Of Man Would I Be?" is the name of a song written by Jason Scheff, Chas Sandford and Bobby Caldwell and recorded by the band Chicago for their 1988 album Chicago 19. and 1989 album Greatest Hits 1982-1989...
" (Jason ScheffJason ScheffJason Randolph Scheff is an American bassist, singer and songwriter. Since 1985 he has been the bassist and singer for the veteran pop-rock band Chicago. He is the oldest son of well-known session bassist Jerry Scheff, who toured for several years with Elvis Presley...
, Chas Sandford, Bobby CaldwellBobby CaldwellBobby Caldwell is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who, despite a prolific musical output over his 30-year career, is still best known for his 1978 hit single "What You Won't Do for Love". While he has always maintained a devoted fan base in the United States, a legendary...
) - 4:20 - "You're Not AloneYou're Not Alone (Chicago song)"You're Not Alone" is the name of a song written by Jim Scott and recorded by the band Chicago for their 1988 album Chicago 19, with Bill Champlin singing lead vocals. When released as a single early the following year, the song peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.There are two versions of...
" (Jim ScottJim Scott (producer)Jim Scott is an American music producer and engineer, best known for his large body of work as an engineer, and his work as a producer with American rock band Wilco. Scott has worked as engineer with a range of other rock music artists, including Dixie Chicks, Tom Petty, Sting, The Rolling Stones,...
) - 4:00 - "Here in My HeartHere in My Heart"Here in My Heart" is a popular song, written by Pat Genaro, Lou Levinson, and Bill Borrelli, and published in 1952.A recording of the song by Al Martino was a #1 hit single on the United States pop chart. The Martino version also made history as the first number one on the UK Singles Chart, on 14...
" (Glen BallardGlen BallardGlen Ballard is an American songwriter and record producer, best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill , which won Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album", and "Album of the Year" amongst others, and is ranked by the Rolling Stone amongst The 500 Greatest Albums of...
/James Newton HowardJames Newton HowardJames Newton Howard is an American composer best known for his scores to motion pictures. He is one of the most popular and respected composers for cinema, and has scored over 100 films...
) - 4:20 - "Feel (W/Horns)" (Danny Orton/Blair DalyBlair DalyBlair Daly is an American songwriter and producer. He was born and raised in the small, Cajun town of Opelousas, Louisiana. Blair moved straight out of high school to Nashville, Tennessee in 1990, to pursue a career in music...
) - 4:31 - "Love Will Come Back" (Jason Scheff/Jay DeMarcusJay DeMarcusJay DeMarcus is the bass guitarist, harmony vocalist, pianist and songwriter in the American country trio Rascal Flatts.DeMarcus was born in Columbus, Ohio...
/Chas Sandford) - 3:43
Personnel
- Dawayne BaileyDawayne BaileyDawayne Bailey is an American guitarist who has toured and recorded with Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band and Chicago.Bailey was born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas. While still attending Manhattan High School in Kansas, he founded the band Rathbone, which developed a strong regional fan base...
– Guitar, Vocals - Peter CeteraPeter CeteraPeter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
– Bass, Vocals - Bill ChamplinBill ChamplinWilliam Bradford "Bill" Champlin is an American singer, guitarist, keyboard player, arranger, producer, and songwriter. His performance work is principally associated with the bands Chicago and the Sons of Champlin...
– Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Group Member - Donnie DacusDonnie DacusDonnie Dacus is a musician best known for his work in the band Chicago and his role as Woof Daschund in the 1979 movie Hair.-Early life:Don Dacus was born in Galena Park, Texas on October 12, 1951....
– Guitar, Vocals - Laudir DeOliveiraLaudir DeOliveiraLaudir Soares de Oliveira is a Brazilian percussionist. His first professional experience was with Sérgio Mendes...
– Percussion, Conga, Vocals - Bruce GaitschBruce GaitschBruce R. Gaitsch is an American guitarist, composer, and producer. He is best known for working with notable musicians such as Richard Marx, Chicago, Peter Cetera, Madonna, Agnetha Fältskog and many others as a session musician and songwriter...
– Guitar - Keith HowlandKeith HowlandKeith Howland is an American guitarist and singer. Since 1995, he has been the lead guitarist for the veteran pop-rock band, Chicago....
– Guitar, Vocals, Group Member - Tris ImbodenTris ImbodenTris Imboden is the current drummer with Chicago. He replaced their original drummer Danny Seraphine following his dismissal in 1990. Prior to joining Chicago, as well as during his tenure with the band, Imboden has had a career as a studio session player...
– Drums, Group Member - Terry KathTerry KathTerry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
– Guitar, Vocals - Robert LammRobert LammRobert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
– Keyboards, Vocals, Author, Group Member - Lee LoughnaneLee LoughnaneLee Loughnane , born 21 October 1946 in Elmwood Park, Illinois to Juanita Wall and Philip Louis Loughnane, is an American trumpeter, flugelhorn player, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for being a founding member of the rock band Chicago.- Biography :...
– Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocals, Author, Group Member - James PankowJames PankowJames Carter "Jimmy" Pankow is an American trombone player, songwriter and brass instrument arranger best known as a founding member of the rock band Chicago.-Early life:...
– Trombone, Vocals, Author, Group Member - Walter ParazaiderWalter ParazaiderWalter Parazaider is best known for being a founding member and saxophone player for the rock band Chicago. He also plays the flute and other woodwind instruments in the band, including clarinet. On the hit "You're Not Alone," he played backing rhythm guitar.Parazaider began playing the clarinet...
– Vocals, Woodwind, Author, Group Member - Chris PinnickChris PinnickChris Pinnick is an American guitarist and songwriter, probably best known for his work with the band Chicago from 1980-1985.Pinnick was born in Van Nuys, California and took up the guitar at the age of seven...
– Guitar - Jason ScheffJason ScheffJason Randolph Scheff is an American bassist, singer and songwriter. Since 1985 he has been the bassist and singer for the veteran pop-rock band Chicago. He is the oldest son of well-known session bassist Jerry Scheff, who toured for several years with Elvis Presley...
– Bass, Vocals, Group Member - Daniel SeraphineDanny SeraphineDaniel Peter "Danny" Seraphine is an American drummer, record producer, theatrical producer and film producer, best known for being the original drummer and founding member of the rock group Chicago, a tenure which lasted from February 1967 to May 1990.-Early life:Danny Seraphine was born in...
– Percussion, Drums, Vocals
Production
- Producer – Jay DeMarcusJay DeMarcusJay DeMarcus is the bass guitarist, harmony vocalist, pianist and songwriter in the American country trio Rascal Flatts.DeMarcus was born in Columbus, Ohio...
, David FosterDavid FosterDavid Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
, James William Guercio, James Newton HowardJames Newton HowardJames Newton Howard is an American composer best known for his scores to motion pictures. He is one of the most popular and respected composers for cinema, and has scored over 100 films...
, Ron NevisonRon NevisonMulti-platinum record producer Ron Nevison, throughout his career, has operated much like a surgeon, brought in during a critical point in a band's career to bring them back to the top from the commercial brink...
, Phil RamonePhil RamonePhil Ramone is a South-African violinist, composer, recording engineer, and record producer.-Biography:As a young child in South Africa, Ramone was a musical prodigy, beginning to play the violin at age three and performing for Queen Elizabeth II at age ten...
, Chas Sandford, Mike Engstrom, Cheryl Pawelski - Cover Design – Mark Rosenmeier
- Design – Joshua Banker, Don Jr. Garlock, Vincent Gonzales, Jim Jamitis, Jean Krikorian, Arnaud Leger, Al Mainwaring, Craig StevensCraig StevensCraig Stevens may refer to:*Craig Stevens *Craig Stevens , reporter on WSVN*Craig Stevens *Craig Stevens , British TV and radio presenter*Craig Stevens , Australian swimmer...
, Ashley UnderwoodAshley UnderwoodAshley Underwood is an American women's basketball player and pageant contestant from Benton, Maine who competed in the Miss USA pageant in 2009. In 2011, she appeared on Survivor: Redemption Island.-Early life:... - Photography – Jimmy Katz
- Remastering – David Donnelly
- Liner Notes – Bill DeYoung
- Product Manager – Mike Engstrom
- Project Assistant – Scott Webber
- Supervisor – Jeff Magid
- Editorial Supervision – Vanessa Atkins, Sheryl Farber
- Annotation – Steve Woolard