Robert Lamm gets sole writing credit for the last two songs from 1974’s Chicago VII, and proceeds down a very funky path with both. The results are somewhat mixed.
Lamm’s clavinet moves “Woman Don’t Want to Love Me” over a somewhat awkward backbeat. Peter Cetera’s bass is simply too obtrusive, competing with the funky drum licks of Danny Seraphine instead of complimenting them. The James Pankow/Robert Lamm-arranged horn parts seem almost an afterthought, and they ultimately verge on being intrusive.
Put simply, Chicago’s “Woman Don’t Want to Love Me” could have used a little more musical space. Even Terry Kath’s acoustic guitar steps on his fine distorted electric guitar rhythm.
That said, Kath takes a turn on the wah-wah that is good, dirty fun, before Cetera returns for another vocal pass. Perhaps the song would have benefitted from Lamm or Kath handling the lead vocal, and providing a more forceful delivery – albeit in a lower key.
The fact that “Woman Don’t Want to Love Me” is a lesser song on Chicago VII is a testament to how strong the rest of the album really is. As it is though, this would have made a find addition to a Robert Lamm solo album, albeit with a less caffeinated arrangement.
- Fernando Perdomo – ‘Clouds 2’ (2026) - March 7, 2026
- Steve Porcaro, Vernon Reid, Steve Morse + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2025 Pop and Rock - January 19, 2026
- Oz Noy, Catherine Russell, Bobby Broom + Others: Preston Frazier’s Best of 2025 Jazz - January 12, 2026
