One of my favorite bands growing up is the band Chicago. I remember listening to some of my father’s records that lived in my room as a child and putting on different Chicago albums. I’ve loved them ever since I heard those horns many years ago. Through their long career, their musical style has changed drastically. Their first album came out in 1969, and they actually released their 40th album today (even though it’s a live album from 1971). I’m sure you can imagine the changes in lineup, style, and instrumentation. This album was their 17th album, hence the name Chicago 17. This album was a tough one for Chicago because it marked the last album with Peter Cetera. Peter was a founding member, the band’s bassist, and an incredible vocalist. This album was also the 2nd of Chicago’s to be produced by the great David Foster. In 1985, the album won three Grammy Awards: Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), Best Engineered Recording (Non-Classical), and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s). It was nominated for Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals and Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices. This is looked at as some of David Foster’s best work as a producer and one of the best power ballads of the time.
Listen for… Peter Cetera and Bill Champlin’s back and forth vocals on this tune. I love it towards the end when Bill comes in strong with “I’m addicted to you.” Also notice the strings toward the end of the song. There are so many epic moments in this song. I love the big lead-in and dropout around 3:10. Big drum fill, strings, face melting electric guitar. What else do you need?!
Hope you enjoy!
Song: “Hard Habit To Break”
Artist: Chicago
Album: Chicago 17
Year: 1984
Other great tracks on the album:
“Stay The Night”
“You’re The Inspiration”
“Stay The Night”
“Only You”
Empty Saddles · Burl Ives (1961)
This song takes me back to a hike on Mt. Whitney with my friend Jordan. We were tackling the tough trail, with the air getting thinner, but the music kept us going. We didn’t quite make the top but we had a blast fighting our way up the mountain and listening to albums by Sons…
Now being without you
Takes a lot of getting used to
Should learn to live with it
But I don’t want to
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Hard Habit To Break – Chicago (1984)
One of my favorite bands growing up is the band Chicago. I remember listening to some of my father’s records that lived in my room as a child and putting on different Chicago albums. I’ve loved them ever since I heard those horns many years ago. Through their long career, their musical style has changed…
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Ticket To Ride – Beatles (1965)
I recently bought a few 1970’s Japanese pressings of a few Beatles albums, and one of them is their fifth album Help! It was on the turntable most of yesterday, and I loved every minute of it. This album is the soundtrack to their second movie. Before settling on the name Help, other names were…
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LAX – Vulfpeck (2020)
One of my favorite bands from the last 20 years is a group called Vulfpeck, formed in Michigan in 2011. The band’s concept revolves around envisioning a German counterpart to the renowned U.S. session musicians of the 1960s, like the Wrecking Crew, the Funk Brothers, and the Swampers. The aim was to capture the essence…
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Playin’ By The Rules – Michael McDonald (1982)
Michael McDonald has one of those voices. It’s incredibly unique; he has an amazing range, and sometimes it’s difficult to understand what in the world he’s saying. This song is off one of my favorite albums, If That’s What It Takes. This was Michael McDonald’s debut solo album after being with the band The Doobie Brothers…
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All By Myself – Eric Carmen (1975)
Eric Carmen released this song on his debut album in 1974. Eric plays piano and sings on this great track. He says that he started writing the solo section of this song first and needed a song to put it in. After listening to Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto, he adapted the melody and wrote the…
My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 I do.
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