Chicago, “Till We Meet Again” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Share this:

The fact that I’m a huge fan of Chicago’s Terry Kath should come as no surprise to readers of Saturdays in the Park. However, even a hard-core fan such as myself must admit Terry wasn’t always bringing his “A” game. Most of the time, yes, but not here: “Till We Meet Again” from 1975’s Chicago VIII is barely over two minutes long and kindly labeled “filler.” Well-arranged filler, but filler nevertheless.

The track begins nicely with the sounds of an old-fashioned phonograph being cranked up. Next, we hear the rotating mechanism humming (producer James William Guercio did love sound effects) and the record drops onto the turntable. The song begins with multi-overdubbed acoustic guitars. So far, so good.

But then Terry dives into the lyrics:

“I want to share the love that fills my being
If you’re willing”

Ugh. “Till We Meet Again” is basically an inferior rewrite of Kath’s excellent “The Road” from 1970’s Chicago II about a one-night stand with a groupie. Unfortunately, we are a long way from the days when Terry Kath would ever offer up such filler.

Despite the impressive baroque-like harpsicord from Robert Lamm about halfway through (there are no other instruments, save for Terry’s acoustic guitars and Robert’s keyboard work) and Kath’s excellent vocal, “Till We Meet Again” never rises above a tossed-off time-waster to close out side one of Chicago VIII and give Terry another songwriting credit.

‘Saturdays in the Park’ is a multi-writer, song-by-song examination of the music of Chicago. Find it here at Something Else! each weekend.

Bob Helme