One of my favorite songs off the Stone of Sisyphus is “Here With Me (A Candle For the Dark),” a unique ballad filled with different percussion sounds amid a mixture of rock, pop, and Middle Eastern styles. This track may sound unusual (in a good way) compared with the kind of traditional songs that Chicago had been doing, but it fits right in with this album’s theme of gutsy musical choices.
Written by Greg O’Connor, James Pankow and Robert Lamm, “Here With Me (A Candle For the Dark)” can be explained in two ways: Perhaps it’s a song full of reminiscent lyrics for a lover who died. Lyrical references to an “unexpected end,” “everywhere I go, you’re here with me” and, of course, a “candle for the dark” seem like clues pointing to someone who is no longer here. Still, those who love them so much don’t believe they will ever let past times go. “Here With Me” feels like a man retelling all of the memories he had on this journey, in the hopes of keeping every one of them alive.
Or maybe it’s about a dead relationship, where a significant other remembers everything they did in the past – but doesn’t regret anything about it. He misses all that they had, and what they shared.
Musically, “Here With Me (A Candle For the Dark)” has an exotic vibe populated by sounds of different percussion instruments, drums and guitars. A trio of voices made of Robert Lamm, Jason Scheff and Bill Champlin take turns singing different parts of the lyrics. There are other instruments that give the song its unique appeal like the flute – and, of course, the horns. The lyrics are well written and beautiful, almost like poetry. I enjoy the description of the places, and the feelings described within the song.
The result is a beautifully written ballad, but one that’s different from the conventional ones Chicago did in the immediately preceding era. The lyrics and the music were well done, and the production was fine.
There are, however, downsides to this song that I can’t ignore. Lyrically, I can’t put a description on what the song means. This why I can’t clearly tell what I think it’s about, and I might be wrong. I will say I feel strongly about my two guesses. Another downside are the backgrounds vocals. I think “Here With Me (A Candle For the Dark)” could have been better still without them. The music was fine on its own.
Other than those complaints, I think it’s a song that should be paid attention to. “Here With Me (A Candle For the Dark)” wasn’t an every-day ballad, and for that Chicago is to be commended.
