When relationships go through struggles and challenges, there is always a moment we let our significant others know how much we love them. As I listen to “We Can Last Forever” from 1988’s Chicago 19, I think of a man trying to convince someone how much she means to him and why he doesn’t want their relationship to end. He explains to the woman that by her words, signals and actions he really sees that she still cares for him, regardless of the storminess in their relationship in the moment.
Written by Jason Scheff and John Dexter, “We Can Last Forever” sounds like a make-up-before-we-break-up type of song. The lyrics give me the impression there was a consistent problem in the relationship and the man is trying so hard to convince his girlfriend or wife not to leave to him. He doesn’t want to start over, and he believes no matter how difficult the situation is between them that they could work it out.
The lyrics are beautiful, emotional, and very detailed. I think he also eludes to wanting to spend the rest of his life and time with her – and possibly even marry her, if they should get through this. I have an image this song as being done in scenes from a movie where a young man in a room sees his lover packing up her things. Before she steps out of the door, he gets in front her to beg for forgiveness and tries to stop her from leaving.
Scheff’s voice is very sweet, young and well suited for this power-ballad rocker. I love the rock-edged vocal when he sings the title coming out of the guitar solo. My other favorite part is when he holds the note on the last word of this line: “Don’t ask me why ‘cause I don’t even know.”
“We Can Last Forever” really brought out Jason Scheff’s ability to sing in the rock genre. I love that he was able to be emotionally connected to the lyrics. He made you feel how much the character loved this woman and how he didn’t want her to leave him.
Musically, I love “We Can Last Forever.” It’s one of my favorites off Chicago 19 that I can listen to on repeat. The keyboard melody at the beginning is beautiful, and this track is nothing without it. I have to add that I enjoyed the drumming, as well. The playing and the sound were very powerful, giving “We Can Last Forever” the heaviness it needed.
My only dislike is the volume of the horns. This should have been addressed in the mixing process. Instead, the horns were in the background rather than up front with the rest of the instruments. It was a crime to me, because “We Can Last Forever” could have benefited if the horns were louder. Plus it’s a Chicago song and horns are their signature. Why would a Chicago song have horns relegated to the background?
Nevertheless, “We Can Last Forever” is still a beautiful and sentimental ’80s-style power ballad that should have been a bigger hit as a single. (Chicago somehow only got to No. 55 with this on the Billboard charts.) Even though the horns were low, it is an otherwise amazing effort, with music, vocals and lyrics that did not disappoint. The result is another of Jason Scheff’s well-written masterpieces, and it makes me appreciate his tenure in Chicago even more.
