Articles by: Perplexio

Toto, “Fortune” from ‘Toto XIV’ (2015): Toto Tuesdays

Toto, “Fortune” from ‘Toto XIV’ (2015): Toto Tuesdays

There isn’t a bad song on 2015’s ‘Toto XIV,’ or songs that fall prey to the “skip” button. “Fortune” is no exception.

Chicago, “The Show Must Go On” from ‘Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “The Show Must Go On” from ‘Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

By the time “The Show Must Go On” finally saw official release, everything had changed – for the song, and for Chicago.

Chicago, “Get On This” (unreleased, 1994): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Get On This” (unreleased, 1994): Saturdays in the Park

“Get On This” was ballsy, adventurous and risky — things Chicago had arguably not been in a long time. So, why’d they leave it on the cutting-room floor?

Chicago, “Cry For the Lost” from “Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Cry For the Lost” from “Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

“Cry For the Lost” leaves listeners wondering why Chicago didn’t lean more heavily on Bill Champlin’s bonafide songwriting chops.

Chicago, “Stone of Sisyphus” from ‘Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Stone of Sisyphus” from ‘Stone of Sisyphus’ (2008): Saturdays in the Park

A title track recalling the Greek myth where Sisyphus must forever roll a huge boulder uphill perfectly described Chicago’s predicament at this point.

Chicago, “Who Do You Love” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Who Do You Love” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Sometimes, as the Bill Champlin-sung “Who Do You Love” from Chicago’s ‘Twenty 1’ makes clear, less is more and more is less.

Chicago, “God Save the Queen” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “God Save the Queen” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

“God Save the Queen” is perhaps the best track on ‘Twenty 1,’ and easily one of Chicago’s better post-Terry Kath songs.

Chicago, “You Come to My Senses” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “You Come to My Senses” from ‘Twenty 1’ (1991): Saturdays in the Park

Composed by the established hitmaking team of Tom Kelly and Bill Steinberg, “You Come to My Senses” isn’t a bad song. It’s just a bad Chicago song.

Chicago, “Victorious” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Victorious” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Unfortunately, Chicago had no idea how to make a promising demo from Marc Jordan into something of their own. Here’s my suggestion.

Chicago, “You’re Not Alone” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “You’re Not Alone” from ‘Chicago 19’ (1988): Saturdays in the Park

Bill Champlin does his best, but Chicago’s utterly generic “You’re Not Alone” could have been a minor hit for any number of other bands of the same era.