“No Tell Lover” from 1978’s Hot Streets is a songwriting collaboration between Chicago bassist/lead vocalist Peter Cetera, trumpeter Lee Loughnane and drummer Danny Seraphine. The track is the other major hit single from Chicago’s first album following the tragic death of lead guitarist/lead vocalist Terry Kath.
It reached No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and No. 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Chicago’s previous hit from this studio project, “Alive Again,” also reached No. 14. After “No Tell Lover,” it would be another four years before Chicago would have a song in the Top 50. The Hot Streets album peaked at No. 12, a comedown from the days of automatic No. 5 albums and singles (or higher), but still a respectable showing for most bands. Clearly, there were some fans who were not interested in Chicago without Terry Kath.
The song begins with a gentle snare drum roll from Danny Seraphine and the horns play a soothing line. Lead guitarist/vocalist Donnie Dacus (briefly occupying Terry Kath’s role in the band) adds very jazzy guitar fills and Peter Cetera handles the lead vocal as only he can:
“Pretty smile, lovely face and a warm breeze, now I need you lady
You’re my no tell lover”
OK, the lyrics aren’t very deep, but remember, Cetera could sell the corny lyrics to trombonist James Pankow’s “Old Days” (a song the bassist hated, which was the beginning of their schism). The story is basically one of an illicit love affair. Peter and Donnie harmonize the chorus.
The horns play a very nice unison solo, Peter sings the last verse and the chorus is again a Cetera duet with Dacus. “No Tell Lover” isn’t the deepest song in the world, but it’s a very enjoyable track from a very uneven album.
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