written by David Foster & James Pankow

David Foster had an extremely successful collaboration with Chicago in the first half of the eighties. During their time together, they delivered an impressive number of punchy, pop/rock songs that were overshadowed by the chart triumph of timeless ballads like “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “You’re The Inspiration” and “Will You Still Love Me.”

Chicago 16, for example, offers a variety of horn-driven rockers that never made it to radio, yet are amazing in terms of songwriting, production and performances.

“Follow Me,” a James Pankow/David Foster composition, is one of these goodies. This rock tune showcases the band’s classic sound and superior musicianship perfectly balanced by the super-producer with key elements of the most refined quality pop atmospheres. “Follow Me” was also the perfect vehicle to introduce Bill Champlin’s outstanding vocal talent to Chicago fans. The Oakland-born singer/songwriter owns the song with his soulful and muscular baritone delivering a fantastic performance. He was supported by a tight rhythm section, “in your face” horns and great guitar work courtesy of Toto’s axe-man, Steve Lukather. The instrumental track is also reminiscent of Toto’s slick pop/rock, but the up-front horns, key changes and overall mood are strongly connected to Chicago’s jazz/rock roots.

Again, Foster kindly sent us a brief comment about this composition:

“I remember driving to Malibu to write this song with Jimmy (Pankow). I pushed him and the other horn players to sound like the trademark Chicago that I loved so much. Champlin was really at the top of his game on this one. He and Cetera really clicked and their vocal harmonies are terrific on the whole album. Lukather’s amazing guitar solo was the icing on the cake.”

Take a listen and you’ll surely wonder why musicians of this caliber aren’t yet in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/follow_me.mp3|titles=Follow Me|artists=Chicago]

Lead Vocals: Bill Champlin
Keyboards: David Foster
Bass: Peter Cetera
Drums: Danny Seraphine
Trombone: James Pankow
Trumpet: Lee Loughnane
Saxophone: Walter Parazaider
Guitars: Chris Pinnick, Steve Lukather & Michael Landau
Guitar Solo: Steve Lukather
Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin & Peter Cetera

Horns Arranged by James Pankow
Background Vocals Arranged by Bill Champlin & Peter Cetera
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

One shoe on; one shoe off.
Nothin’ in life is decideable; wouldn’t you know.
Nothing’s supposed to be easy.
Take one day at a time. Ain’t no need to hurry.
Realize where you are, and where you’re going to.

[Chorus:]
Follow me, ain’t no need to go on all by yourself.
Follow me; don’t need nobody else.
Follow me; and together we’ll build a better life.
Follow me.

One more time; toe the line;
Nothing in life is impossible. Both of us know
Life is as good as we make it.
Dark reflections of the past
Drown in our tomorrows.
Time to laugh; time to love;
Time to live again.

[Chorus]
Time to laugh; time to live again.

written by David Foster & Peter Cetera

The summer of 2002 saw the release of a very comprehensive compilation by super group Chicago songs entitled “The Very Best Of Chicago: Only The Beginning.” Released by Rhino Records, this greatest hits collection included all of the band’s Top 40 hits. “The Very Best Of Chicago: Only The Beginning” became a Top 40 hit on its own and went multi-platinum by selling over 2 million copies. It is evidence of how current and successful Chicago’s catalogue is to this day.

This compilation included hits from the David Foster era. Among these unforgettable gems is the gorgeous David Foster and Peter Cetera composition, “Love Me Tomorrow.” This adult contemporary ballad was the second single released from “Chicago 16.” After the giant triumph of “Hard To Say I’m Sorry,” “Love Me Tomorrow” became another solid hit reaching #22 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. This song is another fine example of David Foster’s sound of that era – gentle melodies, creative instrumental arrangements and pristine production. Cetera’s voice was the perfect tool for the genre supported by Foster’s work on keyboards. Check out the super-producer’s evocative piano solo and the outstanding orchestral arrangement created with Jeremy Lubbock.  Even though the single edit was tailored for radio airplay and doesn’t include the beautiful instrumental coda of this song, this edit will be a treasure to your ears.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/love_me_tomorrow.mp3|titles=Love Me Tomorrow|artists=Chicago]

Lead Vocals & Bass: Peter Cetera
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Drums: Danny Seraphine
Guitar: Chris Pinnick
Backing Vocals: Peter Cetera, Bill Champlin & Robert Lamm

Strings Arranged by David Foster, Peter Cetera & Jeremy Lubbock.
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

She said, “It’s lonely here tonight”
She’s always sad when she’s alone
She said “I need you here tonight”
She couldn’t wait ’til I get home
She loves me
And that’s all I need to know
She’s part of my life
Just a part I won’t let go

Then she said
“Love me tomorrow
Won’t you please, promise me
Love me tomorrow like today
Love me tomorrow
Hurry back, can’t you see
I need you more than yesterday”

You know it’s always cold at night
It’s always lonely ’til the dawn
You know it’s not what we put on
Knowing she’s there, I’ll carry on
Because she loves me
And that’s all I need ato know
She’s part of my life
Just a part I won’t let go

Then she said
“Love me tomorrow
Won’t you please, promise me
Love me tomorrow like today
Love me tomorrow
Hurry back, can’t you see
I need you more than any words could say”

She loves me
And that’s all I need to know
She’s part of my life
Just a part I won’t let go

Then she said
“Love me tomorrow
Won’t you please, promise me
Love me tomorrow like today
Love me tomorrow
Hurry back, can’t you see
Need you much more than yesterday
Love me tomorrow
Hurry back, can’t you see
Need you much more than yesterday
Love me tomorrow
Love me tomorrow like today
Love me tomorrow
I need you much more than yesterday
Love me tomorrow
Love me tomorrow like today”

written by Robert Lamm & James Pankow

“25 Or 6 To 4” is one of Chicago’s trademark songs. It was originally released in 1970 on the super-group’s second album and was written by the band’s keyboard player, Robert Lam. “25 Or 6 To 4” is an amazing rock anthem that perfectly showcases Chicago’s blend of rock and jazz thanks to Terry Kath’s amazing guitar, Peter Cetera’s powerful tenor and Chicago’s trademark in-your-face horns.

Fifteen years later, Chicago was hotter than ever thanks to the multi-platinum triumph of “Chicago 17,” but suffered Cetera’s departure to go solo. Thanks to monster hits like “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” and “You’re The Inspiration,” Cetera’s tenor had become recognizable as the band’s voice for worldwide audiences. Cetera’s was also the band’s main songwriting force through his partnership with producer David Foster. The loss of his talent to the band was extremely tough. When Chicago went into the studio with Foster to work on “Chicago 18,” they had Jason Scheff, a young tenor who sounded fairly enough like Cetera, but brought his own style to the group. Then Chicago had a brainstorm – remake their own hit “25 Or 6 To 4” to reaffirm Chicago’s identity and roots.

This new, high tech version became the first single off “Chicago 18” and reached #48 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The band also cut a video for the song that got quite some airplay on MTV. The song was slowed down compared to the original, with heavy synthesizer and drum programming supporting the band’s powerful horn playing and Michael Landau’s strong guitar. Scheff’s vocals and the group’s harmonies were flawless while Foster’s arrangement resembled some of Phil Collins’ work of those years. The production was perfect and “25 Or 6 To 4,” in this new, updated version, rocks again.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/25_or_6_to_4.mp3|titles=25 or 6 to 4|artists=Chicago]

Lead Vocals & Bass: Jason Scheff
Keyboards: David Foster, Robert Lamm & Bill Champlin
Electric Guitars: Michael Landau
Drums & Drum Programming: Danny Seraphine
Sax: Walter Parazaider
Trumpet: Lee Loughnane
Trombone: James Pankow
Backing Vocals: Bill Champlin, Robert Lamm & Jason Scheff

Arranged by David Foster, Robert Lamm & James Pankow
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Waiting for the break of day
Searching for something to say
Flashing lights against the sky
Giving up I close my eyes
Sitting cross-legged on the floor
Twenty-five or six to four

Staring blindly into space
Getting up to splash my face
Wanting just to stay awake
Wond`ring how much I can take
Should I try to do some more
Twenty-five or six to four

Feeling like I ought to sleep
Spinning room is sinking deep
Waiting for the break of day
Searching for something to say
Twenty-five or six to four
Twenty-five or six to four

We all remember the string of hits David Foster had with Chicago, songs like “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” and “You’re The Inspiration” are evergreens that are played on radio still today. This song is in the exact same vein, we can call it the best Chicago song never recorded by Chicago. The “Walk A Fine Line” record came out in 1982, Anka with Foster’s help assembled a great bunch of musicians and songwriters (Kenny Loggins, Jay Graydon, Toto, Michael McDonald among them) and the result is a great pop album. “Hold Me ‘Till The Mornin’ Comes” was the hit out of it reaching Billboard’s top 40 in 1983.

It is a wonderful love ballad dominated by Foster’s keyboards and Peter Cetera’s (Chicago’s lead singer) guest vocal harmonies. The rest of the cd is full of pop goodies, from Michael McDonald and David Foster’s uptempo “Second Chance” to the wonderful and soulful “No Way Out”. Anka and Foster have been collaborating before and after this fine effort and we especially recommend his “Body Of Work” CD from 1999 to get another good dose of Foster/Anka gems (it also includes an updated remake of “Hold Me ‘Til The Mornin’ Comes”).

Lead Vocals: Paul Anka
Drums: Mike Baird
Synthesizers: David Foster
Piano: David Foster
Guitars: Marty Walsh & Steve Lukather
Background Vocals: Peter Cetera
Track arrangements by David Foster
Produced by Denny Diante

Lyrics

Two broken hearts
Neither one knows what to say
Both Falling from love
But not quite all the way

Look at us now
We’re reachin’ back for yesterday
Wanting to know
If the other wants to stay

After all I’m the one who said we’re through
Now I can’t live without you anymore
Out there lost
There’s a dream that can come true
Is it worth the reach’ for
Don’t you want me anymore, darlin’

(Chorus)
Hold me ’til the mornin’ comes
Until I see your smile
Take all the sadness from your eyes
Hold me ’til the mornin’ sun
Let me stay, we’ve just begun

Where shall we start
A tender word that we can share
And if we believe
In time we will get there
Look at us now
Wanting more than words can say
Both fallin’ in love
But this time all the way
Out there lost
Are the words “I still love you”
Are they worth the reachin’ for
Do you love me anymore, darlin’

(Chorus)

Would you love me in the mornin’
Will you still be there in the mornin’
Or would you leave without a warmin’
Say you love me, too