from NIAGARA FALLS (single)
Written by Bobby Caldwell & Steve Kipner
Released in 1986, Chicago 18 saw the veteran supergroup going back in the studio with David Foster. This time it was to help Chicago bear the loss of Peter Cetera who left to go solo in July of 1985, right after the huge success of Chicago 17. Facing such a tough circumstance, Foster and the group did a remarkable job introducing new vocalist and bassist, Jason Scheff. Chicago 18 immediately achieved a couple of solid hit singles with “Will You Still Love Me” and “If She Would Have Been Faithful.”
The last single off Chicago 18 was a muscular ballad titled “Niagara Falls.” Here, the Hitman played it safe with a composition co-written by two familiar names: Bobby Caldwell and Steve Kipner. Caldwell was the legendary singer/songwriter of “What You Won’t Do For Love” fame while Kipner co-wrote another massive Chicago hit, “Hard Habit To Break.” Those two gentlemen were sure bets when some soulful, radio-friendly music was needed and their inventive melody put in Foster’s capable hands resulted in a crackling, high-tech musical affair. On “Niagara Falls,” Scheff and Champlin did a fantastic job with some intricate vocal harmonies backed-up by the group’s trademark horns and funky rhythm guitars played by session great Mike Landau. A wall of keyboards and synths were handled on the song by Foster. “Niagara Falls” was released in June of 1987, almost a year after its parent album’s original release. That was certainly the reason why the song didn’t go higher than #91 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Chicago 18 was eventually certified platinum and, although it can’t be compared to its predecessor in terms of sales and chart success, it kept the group going at a difficult time. Chicago 18 also allowed the boys to make Chicago 19. The band was ready to welcome another string of hits with their new album.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/01-Niagra-Falls.mp3|titles=Niagara Falls|artists=Jason Scheff]
Lead Vocals & Bass: Jason Scheff
Vocals & Keyboards: Bill Champlin
Keyboards: David Foster & Robert Lamm
Drums & Drum Programming: Danny Seraphine
Guitars: Michael Landau
Trombone: James Pankow
Trumpet: Lee Loughnane
Saxophone: Walter Parazaider
Horns Arranged by James Pankow
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Lyrics
Baby, so you think you can start again?
You got somebody new
But the same thing keeps happening
At the moment of truth
Whoever you’re loving
You will be thinking of me
As long as Niagara falls
As long as Gibraltar stands
‘Til Hell freezes over
I’ll always be your man
Tell me, when you’re there lying by his side
Do you make him believe all your needs have been satisfied?
Does he know that your heart is taken forever?
Girl, you will always be mine
As long as Niagara falls
As long as Gibraltar stands
‘Til Hell freezes over
I’ll always be your man
Time can’t erase
What you feel in your heart
You can’t replace the love
No, it doesn’t matter how hard you try
Girl, you’re gonna miss my loving till the day you die
‘Til Hell freezes over
As long as Niagara falls
As long as Gibraltar stands
‘Til Hell freezes over
I’ll always be your man
As long as Niagara Falls
Until the end of time
‘Til Hell freezes over
You are forever mine
As long as Niagara falls
As long as Gibraltar stands
‘Til Hell freezes over
I’ll always be your man