“What Does It Take” is the sixth track from the most underrated Chicago album, 1991’s Twenty 1. It is one of my favorites because the music and the lyrics really blend well together to advance an overall theme, which in my interpretation finds a broken-up man asking his ex how to put their love back together again.
I picture “What Does It Take” as a scene in a movie where a young guy tries to mend a relationship with an ex whom he’s never gotten over. I can also picture this guy in other scenes, jumping through hoops and going through every obstacle if she would just give him a second chance. That’s how desperate he is.
But “What Does It Take,” written by Gerard McMahon and Jason Scheff, keeps drilling into his regrets. He says he would do everything in his power to get back together again, but actually does nothing but dwell on what they had while fantasizing about being with her.
“What does it take
to win you back,
to hold in these arms once more”
As I listen to this song, I can feel the desperation in his voice – in a good way. Despite being frozen with remorse, he wants to love this person again. Meanwhile, he feels as if he can’t move on without her.
Not only is “What Does It Take” an emotionally driven song, but it’s musically driven, as well. Every instrument plays a key role in Chicago’s success here: The keyboard intro at the very beginning blends with the drums, as Scheff starts to sing. The horns are powerful and very much present in this project, unlike on 1988’s Chicago 19.
Jason Scheff is a vocal powerhouse, singing here with so much emotion and emphasis. He sounds like a typical power-ballad rocker while being low key at the beginning, then belts and shouts within two ranges during the chorus and bridge. As he sings “what does it take, what does it take now,” the guitar solo takes over, quickly becoming one of my favorite instrumental parts.
The results are beautiful, but sad. “What Does It Take” is one of my favorite Scheff-led Chicago tunes. He worked hard on this, convincing the listener of the former lover’s pain and desperation. I often wondered (even with other songs he’s written/co written) if this experience was representative of an event in his life? I will never know, but it sure feels like it was.
