Songs By Chicago The Band
On The Acoustic

Baby What A Big Surprise hit the airwaves in the fall of 1977 from the bands album "Takin It On Uptown".

The track reached #4 in the US and #3 in Canada.

I play this one with a capo 3rd fret in standard tuning and no lead work necessary. Play a down down up down down up and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords A, E, D, Esus, G, C, Gbm and an E7.

Beginnings is a number from the early days of the band going back to 1969, The song was released as a single from their 2nd album "Poem 58".

The song failed to chart in the initial released but did chart at #1 with re-release in 1971.

For this song I like to play a steady up and shuffle with some chop strumming for rhythm in standard tuning. No lead but a few riffs here and there while playing the chords Amaj7, G6, Dmaj7, Cmaj7, Fmaj7 and a G.

Color My World was a single from the bands 2nd album known as Chicago II as the band had to change their previous name due to a potential lawsuit. The song was a b-side to two other singles but eventually this one made it to #7 on the US charts. Frank Sinatra wanted to record the song but wanted a 2nd verse written, but the band declined.

This one is arpeggio all the way through in standard tuning with a bit of lead near the end as you play out the flute section.

Chords here are Fmaj7, Am, A#, D#, Ab, Gb, D7, Abmaj7, Gbmaj7, Gmaj7, Bbm, C, Fmaj7, A# and a C.

If You Leave Me Now was a monster #1 hit song in many countries when it was released back in the summer of 1976.

The track is from the album "Together Again".

For this number play a down up stop up down up rhythm and a capo 4th in standard tuning. No lead work but a few chords in this one including a  G, D/Gb, Em, Bm, A7, D, E, C7, Fm, C, Gbm, B7, Am7, G6 and a Cm.

Old Days is a number from 1975 off of their album "Hideaway".

The song reached #3 in the US.

No lead here in standard tuning while playing the chords Em, Dm, F, G, C, Esus, E, Am, Am/Ab, Am/D, D/Gb and a Gsus. I play a down down up down up down up rhythm pattern and some chop strumming and shuffles throughout.

Saturday In The Park hit the airwaves in 1972 and hails from the bands album "Alma Mater". 

The one peaked at #3 in the US and #2 in Canada.

Another number with a bunch of chords and they are Am, D7, G7, C, Bm, Dmaj7, Em, G/F, D, G, G/E, Gm, A#m and an Eb in standard tuning and some lead required. For rhythm you can play a down up stop up pattern along with some steady up and down shuffle strumming and lots of accents.

Will You Still Love Me was released as a single in 1986 from the album Chicago 18.

By this time Peter Cetera had departed and bassist Jason Scheff had taken over a lead vocalist.

This was their first bit song reaching #2 in the US with Scheff singing lead. 

I play a capo 1st fret in standard tuning and a few riffs throughout. A simple down down up down down and repeat rhythm pattern with the chords F, G, C, G/E, D, C/B, Am, Dm, Dm/B, Ddim, D/Gb, G#, Gsus, Dm7 and a G6.

Wishing You Were Here is a track from 1974 form the bands album entitled "Life Saver". It was the only single from that album.

The song topped the charts in the US.

No lead in this one played in standard tuning with the chords Dm, E7, Eb, A#, C, A, D and a Gm. You'll need a down down up down down up and repeat rhytj pattern with some arpeggio as well.