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“25 or 6 to 4” is a song written by Robert Lamm for the rock band Chicago. To this day, it is one of the most frequently played Chicago songs on classic rock and album-oriented rock stations. It was recorded for their second album Chicago (1970) with Peter Cetera on lead vocals. The song was edited and released as a single in June of that year, climbing to number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and number seven on the UK Singles Chart. This recording features an electric guitar solo using a wah-wah pedal by Chicago guitarist Terry Kath, and has been included in numerous Chicago compilation albums.
An updated version of “25 or 6 to 4” was recorded for the 1986 album Chicago 18 with James Pankow listed as co-writer. Featuring new band member Jason Scheff on lead vocals, the single reached number 48 on the U.S. chart. This version was also used as the B-side for the band’s 1988 single “What Kind Of Man Would I Be?”.
Chicago fans have long argued about the meaning of the song. When it was released, there was speculation that the lyrics were drug-related; but the same thing was said about many songs in the late 1960s and early 1970s and the rumor has been largely dismissed. Lamm himself says that the title is “just a reference to the time of day,” and that “the song is about writing a song. It’s not mystical.” The time of day in reference is 3:35 AM (or 3:34 AM), which would then be 25 (or 26) minutes to 4 AM. Lamm was not above perpetuating the mythology of the song, though. In one interview, he referred to the song title as “a cricket score.
An updated version of “25 or 6 to 4” was recorded for the 1986 album Chicago 18 with James Pankow listed as co-writer. Featuring new band member Jason Scheff on lead vocals, the single reached number 48 on the U.S. chart. This version was also used as the B-side for the band’s 1988 single “What Kind Of Man Would I Be?”.
Chicago fans have long argued about the meaning of the song. When it was released, there was speculation that the lyrics were drug-related; but the same thing was said about many songs in the late 1960s and early 1970s and the rumor has been largely dismissed. Lamm himself says that the title is “just a reference to the time of day,” and that “the song is about writing a song. It’s not mystical.” The time of day in reference is 3:35 AM (or 3:34 AM), which would then be 25 (or 26) minutes to 4 AM. Lamm was not above perpetuating the mythology of the song, though. In one interview, he referred to the song title as “a cricket score.
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early footage of the band performing this great rock classic..not the greatest quality but still good
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Shouts
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maildeenzo wrote:
puta que son wenos estos weones
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cebo77 wrote:
Chicago - kicks it! Great jazz/rock fusion. Between them and Blood, Sweat and Tears they brought a great new sound to rock/pop.
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GrizzlyMike wrote:
What time is it? Peter Cetera has a great range.
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diamondave007 wrote:
rock on CTA
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elo4000 wrote:
i like the early chicago music right up to peter cetera.
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youngmatthew241 wrote:
an amazing song. such a good solo its epic
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Marjo47 wrote:
One of our favourites an older friend{not from last fm} and me.
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traubster wrote:
Awwwwwwwwesome. Studio version is much better for me, though.
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IRSARGE wrote:
Color My World ; Short and GooooooD!
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Liquid_Exodus wrote:
solo is nuts.
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jeromebracey wrote:
lol ha ha right on lolergasm1!
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lolergasm1 wrote:
lold, look @ that one fat bastard in the picture
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Crustclock wrote:
and absolute rip off Zeppelin's 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You'
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acker_ wrote:
only good Chicago song
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soldier_jane wrote:
i gotta admit i like this groove
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PlayItAgainPls wrote:
I have always assumed that the song title meant that it was 3:35 or 3:36 am. So 25 or 26 minutes before 4:00 am.
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tommypmusic wrote:
So what does the title of this song mean anyway?
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Teh0Wolf0Man wrote:
Awesome, they finally put the good version on. I was getting sick of hearing the scratchy one every time this played.
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gilliananne wrote:
My first single! Brilliant.
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alvareo wrote:
Classic, and it deserves it.
Chicago
25 or 6 to 4
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Recent Activity
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jokrieger added 25 or 6 to 4 to the playlist WDR 200. 3 hours ago
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ZZinger69 added 25 or 6 to 4 to ZZinger69’s library. 5 hours ago
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ZZinger69 added 25 or 6 to 4 to the playlist Swingtown. 5 hours ago
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pthunder1971, Bee338spur, luckybuck197 and 14 other people loved Chicago – 25 or 6 to 4. 6 hours ago
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paulbd wrote about 25 or 6 to 4 in My Last.FM Milestones. yesterday afternoon
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paulbd wrote about 25 or 6 to 4 in My Last.FM Milestones. yesterday afternoon
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stuelpner-karl added 25 or 6 to 4 to stuelpner-karl’s library. yesterday afternoon
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stuelpner-karl added 25 or 6 to 4 to the playlist. yesterday afternoon
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cargobull added 25 or 6 to 4 to cargobull’s library. yesterday morning
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cargobull added 25 or 6 to 4 to a deleted playlist. yesterday morning
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