As someone living in a world amongst people, you want to find a person who changes your way of thinking and being. A person who challenges you to do better and be a better human. A person whose love shaped who you are, such that the slightest thought of starting over without them would be difficult.
This is the impression I get as I listen to “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” from 1988’s Chicago 19: A man is telling the love of his life if the relationship were done maybe she could move on, but he wouldn’t be man enough to quit her.
Written by Jason Scheff, Chas Sanford and Bobby Caldwell, “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” seems to be about a person going through a break up or a rough patch in a relationship with a significant other. He doesn’t know whether he can go on to navigate life and love someone else. She meant everything to him, and losing her is the furthest option in his life right at that point in time.
There are many positives to this song. First, there were two versions by Chicago (and one from Scheff’s more recent solo album). Chicago’s first take started off with a guitar melody, while the remix placed Scheff’s voice in the introduction. I like both of them, and I don’t see much of difference besides the obvious things, such as the volume of the Chicago horn section and added guitar sounds.
Secondly, Scheff’s vocal tone was in sync with the music. The more he raises his voice, the more the tempo of this song begins to build. For example, at the beginning, the music starts off slow as Scheff sings low, but rises to a mid tempo when he goes up a few notes.
Third, the horn solo at the bridge is the best part of “What Kind of Man Would I Be.” I play that part over and over, it’s so good. James Pankow’s powerful trombone is the most excellent and the most prominent out of this whole section.
Fourth, the guitar, keyboard, and drum sounds and melodies fit very well with every part of the song. Finally, Bill Champlin’s background vocals were perfection. They are like melted butter on warm bread.
My negative (and I’ve said this before in another review) is the horns were lowered throughout the album version of this song. Except for the bridge, “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” should have had more volume on the horns. Not all Chicago songs had horns in them, I know. But when they do, the horn shouldn’t be in the background. As a matter of fact, the horn volume is one of my biggest complaints about Chicago 19 as a whole.
I’ve heard “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” so many times, and I never get tired of it. The theme relatable to a lot of people. A significant other really can have a lot of impact in one’s life, and I believe the lyrics paint that perfectly.
Maybe I should have said this at the beginning, but this is one of my favorites off Chicago 19. Since doing these reviews, I have learned that Jason Scheff does a lot better vocally and delivering songs emotionally when they are written and co-written by him. “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” is a perfect example.
