Artificial drum beats are all that prevent “I Stand Up” from fitting right into 1972’s ‘Chicago V’ or 1974’s ‘Chicago VII.’

As a child of the ’80s, Chicago’s “Over and Over” still manages to take me back to the hot summer nights of my childhood every time.

Though I wouldn’t call it a Robert Lamm co-written masterpiece, Chicago’s “Forever” remains a beautiful, thought-provoking love song.

Released 45 years ago today, ‘Chicago VIII’ found the band at a low creative ebb. But these five lesser-known songs make it worth a return visit.

“Here Is Where We Begin” is an exceptional song in spite of Chicago, not because of them. Credit former Ambrosia frontman David Pack.

What if Chicago didn’t hire a singing replacement after Peter Cetera left? “Only You” provides a glimpse.

Stripped of the drum and bass programs and the army of synthesizers, Chicago’s “We Can Stop the Hurtin’” would still be a great song.

There’s something rather unusual about the three bonus tracks found on the reissue of 1980’s ‘Chicago XIV’: They are all good.

It’s a shame this didn’t make the album: “Doin’ Business” would have made a great replacement for a few duds on ‘Chicago XIV.’

Robert Lamm’s “I’d Rather Be Rich” had been sitting around in the vaults for several years before it made the ‘Chicago XIV’ album.