Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4 Lyrics

[@Rayven10]

Be warned: once you get it and play that song a few times, it sticks in your head for a long, long time. Weeks if not longer!

[@jasonbaca6551]

It’s true, I have to play this at basketball games for band and it’s stuck in my head

[@kendrik_lamer]

Yeah as a guitarist I’m tryna learn this, it’s memorized

[@barney5054]

Yea it’s stuck in my head but I love it 🥁

[@chetsevern]

Fine by me.

[@davidangstadt4476]

@@kendrik_lamer Kath was a phenomenal guitarist. A great lesson on lead guitar soloing indeed. Good luck! Btw there are some KZbins showing Kath in action out there performing live. He’s even better than in this official studio version.

[@corryskylord3177]

I remember playing this in my band when I was in middle school. It was so much fun being a trumpet and just screaming these notes. Sometimes I would make entire rooms quiet because of how loud I got. Collectively, I think it was the band’s favorite song. Great times

[@traceyrich99]

I'm a trumpet too :)

[@earlyislandadventers2091]

i am playing it right now and I am also a trumpet, 'tis a fun song.

[@FalloutGenius1]

As a jazz band trombone player this was also a fun song for the glizzandos. Jazz band kids are the best kids

[@marilynfosseen1541]

I like to play the keyboard and sing along, even though I'm no Bob Lamm or Pete Cetera.

[@MetalHeadGT]

Aah, this brings me back to a time I wasn't alive for.

[@michaelcorrea4336]

Me too! Brought me back when I was waiting in an elevator at the mall.

[@themanacurve3452]

I heard this song through my parent's nonexistent privates (they weren't born until the year after this released)

[@eddiebu7980]

Fractal Metal same dude homie whatever you want to be called

[@LuckyHeather1711]

🧡

[@lisakossik7777]

Lol!

[@mrrustygray]

Never heard another guitar player ever capture Terry's sound, ever, and I have been listening to these guys 50 years.

[@creativologist1813]

Watch this facebook.com/Leonidandfriends/videos/1694714707455808/

[@chambrevirgo8562]

This is a masterpiece, the verses chorus and guitar solo magnifico

[@donnaleeah5075]

WOW!!! Takes me wayyyy back. I played the clarinet. The horn section was behind us. Tim Daggett sure knew his trumpet! ! Even then I was shocked our band conductor knew the song. Every time we practiced it you could easily feel us, kids in Jr HS,,, knowing the value of working together paid off. Thanks Mom!! She had another job in order to pay for my clarinet. Truly an amazing Mom, person.

[@katherineg9396]

Your Mom was so great to do that! An awesome Mom.

[@grondinolaf]

This song was written in the early ours prior to going into the studio to record this album and they were one song short from a complete album. This is him trying to write that song before they went into the studio. The funny part of that is that this song was the #1 song from the album. It was 25 min or 26 min to 4 am.

[@briansauer6695]

Funny what comes out of trying to find filler for an album. Black Sabbath's Paranoid was the same way. The story goes something like this: The guys were on a break from recording and needed a short song as filler. They went into the hallway, and, I think it was Tony Iommi who played the opening riff and it took off from there!I believe it was a VERY short time it was composed, maybe 20 mins to an hour or something. Ended up being what I consider to be their most well known song! They even changed the album title from the planned War Pigs to Paranoid. The Stones, although I don't know if it was album filler, wrote Satisfaction in a very short period of time, something like 20 mins.I'm a little more foggy on the whole background of that one but I know it was a short time.

[@grondinolaf]

Deep Purple's "Smoke on the water" was a replacement song on that album as Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention were playing near by their hotel. That song became the biggest hit on the album. Yeah it is very strange that these quickly thrown together songs become the top hits for these bands. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoke_on_the_Water

[@christopherjordan2074]

Brian Sauer Black Sabbath did not like Paranoid after they heard it, but they needed it, and the album was called War pigs in England, the record company changed the name with out telling the band, who were upset because the art work was never changed and does not make sense now. Your right bout it being wrote in a short time.

[@barrygroeneveld6901]

Nice story! The best songs are the ones written within 10 minutes. Also you can recognize a good song when it's played acoustic and still sounds good!

[@sandrasmith3378]

🤣🤣😂I thought it was about doing DRUGS all night!

[@StevenRoby]

The guitar solo just BURNS!

[@keithkacner1695]

One of the best known guitar solo's ever. We miss you Terry

[@antoniojones4629]

Undoubtably One Of The Best Rock And Soul Groups from Chicago That Added Some Of The Best Music to The World, Worthy Of A Universal Ovation And Applause. Thanks Chicago, y’all still Damn Good

[@jimmyharmony1552]

This song is so good that it's insane. those lead guitar voicings and rhthyms... fuuuck.

[@MrAntieMatter]

It's so good you can't even complete your sentence!

[@markmindel8922]

Jimi Hendrix said Terry Kath was a better guitarist than he was

[@lucasbrain]

It's so good it makes you forget how to write "rhythm" properly

[@carolynrutter5459]

It is insane how intelligent the lyrics are and just the sound is incredible

[@barrygroeneveld6901]

Terry Kath.

[@Gilbarwaters]

I had this song in my head all afternoon and I just got home and had to find it here and played it. It's awesome!

[@seantaft9281]

This was my song in the 80s as I struggled with addiction. Alot of memories good/ bad

[@laurastricklen9107]

This was one of my junior high school band's football songs. I can't count how often we played it! Plus, Chicago was a group we all listened to at home, and they were still being played on the radio regularly, so we were having a blast in band! Now that this song is being used in a TV commercial, it gets stuck in my head every single time that commercial is on!

[@joeytrosclair4253]

Why you think I’m here. Damn tv commercials. 😂😂😂

[@richardsmith5477]

Terry Kath on this song took it to another level, Hendrix said he was a great and rightfully so! What a great song from a great band! RIP Terry

[@danielnovosad3392]

Richard Smith Recorded in August 1969 the guitar solo on this song was way ahead of its time. Terry Kath! The Man Could Rock On The Six String!

[@prismstudios001]

Once I realized what the song was actually about (Being up at 3:34-3:35 AM trying to come up with song lyrics, and the mental /emotional torment of trying to figure out SOMETHING!), it became one of my favorite songs! If you`ve ever had to do a creative project, and drew a damn mental blank, and I have....this song makes perfect sense. Dear God, I typed this at 3:35 AM!

[@shalaglennon136]

Thank you for explaining. I never understood it was about the time.

[@brucewayne229]

2:35!

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

It's about cocaine use bruh

[@logan5326]

@@Vicus_of_Utrecht …or LSD

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

@@logan5326 Um, once you're fucked up on LSD, you don't think 'moar!'.

[@karenbrecht8545]

Going into Boston and seeing them Live is one memory I pray, I'll never forget! 3 Rows from the front!!

[@nickroscher6452]

One of the best songs ever. I remember playing this in stage band back in high school along with other Chicago songs . Love It.

[@alangreen2698]

IN MY OPINION ONE OF THE BEST SONGS CHICAGO RECORDED

[@trlavalley9909]

Literally the first 45 I ever owned. Great song.

[@j.f.jesusvelezmerkt5736]

THIS 's THE BEST CHICAGO-BAND-SONG : 2 5 O R 6 T O 4. !!!!!!!!

[@StevieB1362]

Sorry for your immense loss. Nothing can take mom's place, but it is good you have memories even as far back as childhood you can enjoy & cling to. It would make her smile to know you are enjoying the same music she did, even when she was growing up. Bless you.

[@plutoandpolaris]

This is one of the songs we're playing for Marching Band, and out of curiosity I decided to look it up. It's actually faster than I thought it was.

[@danktankdragkings7117]

Sophia Lind excellent marching show. I did it in 2009. fast paced and fun.

[@TuxedominerGaming]

same

[@524pmdnyc]

Marching band....does a drug song.....only in America...lol

[@plutoandpolaris]

524pmdnyc it was for the school of Rock theme we did this year. One of the other songs was about suicide, the music department doesn't care. No one in the audience is hearing any of the lyrics when we play it anyway.

[@StealthheartDraws]

ikr? and +524pmdnyc its not about drugs. its about trying to write a song at 25 or 6 to 4 in the morning

[@marienelson4261]

Bring back memories of riding with my uncle and grandmother to the market this song used to come on radio

[@kimosborn9402]

Wow takes me back to my youth what a great band. Love the horns in this tune no one does horns in music anymore . Saturday in the park also what a great song. This band was the shit back in the day.

[@RowdyRodimus]

When my Mom was about 17 she was a waitress and Chicago came into the restaurant she worked at and sat in her section. Now, at the time, she was beautiful. So she waited on them and they took a liking to her if you get my drift and gave her tickets and backstage passes for the show the next night and told her to bring a friend meaning one of her female friends since they were obviously looking for a good time. Well, the next night rolls around and she goes to the show and backstage with a friend. What they didn't realize is that my Mom was always a "good girl" and the friend she brought was her boyfriend, my Dad. They were pissed at first but after a little bit my Dad made some calls and they had some girls there for the band (his female friends from the Catholic school he had gone to, he was 3 years older than my Mom). So they all partied that night and about 6 months later my parents were happily married until my Mom passed away in Dec of 2012. So if anyone says you're too young to get married or it won't last, just remember that when you know it's "The ONE" all logic goes out the window and you can make it work.

[@paracelsa101]

RowdyRodimus Your story is good whether you're a Chicago love child or a product of an incredible love connection! Cheers! I adored this story!

[@RowdyRodimus]

Jennifer Fish Nope, I was born almost 9 months to the day of my parents first anniversary, so I was a late anniversary present lol (Their anniversary was July 5, the first in 1975, and I was born March 10, 1976. 9 months and 5 days difference lol)

[@OliviaRicardo]

Your story made my day. Cheers to your mom who seem to have been a great lady!! BTW, married at 21 and never regretted (and I have definitely dragged my wife to a few heavy metal concerts).

[@RowdyRodimus]

Ricardo Cassado Thank you. She was a great woman, she was the kind of person who never met a stranger. Everyone she met loved her. Thank you again for your kind words.

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

Agreed...... a most fascinating posting... we never quite really know where life is going to lead us to.....

[@gaumatz9039]

Without a doubt one of the best Bands ever

[@BrendanTheGent]

when i was living in jersey, we had an oldies station called oldies 100. every time tgis song came on i had to crank it up. and i still do to this day. unfortunately oldies 100 is no more and i live in north carolina so now when cranking the song up, it hits me with memories

[@gbflater]

this song is still a classic even after all these years

[@TheonlyWelc0mematt]

I played this in marching band and i loved it

[@randys2669]

Hey, so did I! Our theme was "Musical Numbers". We also played "Pennsylvania 6-5000", "The 007 Theme", "When I'm 64", and "One Day More".

[@TheMark971]

So did we are show was called time is on our side it had clocks 25 or 6 to 4 and some more classic songs

[@billgrosshansjr.1630]

mark zimmer Ransom Sumpter Good to know that your marching band supported drug use. Cheers!

[@briansauer6695]

Bill Grosshans Jr. I have always loved this song since it came out when I was a little kid. I never really paid attention to the lyrics of this one though. After actually seeing them, I can understand where there might be a reference to someone being on a trip, but can you really explain it to me?

[@briansauer6695]

Bill Grosshans Jr. Would still like to hear your theory Bill, but about 10-15 posts down, someone explains the song and it has absolutely nothing to do with drugs. It is all about the composer of the song having to come up with one last song to complete the album before they record, it is late at night (25 or 26 mins to 4AM),he's tired and contemplating giving up ("searching for something to say""giving up I close my eyes" "staring blindly into space"). Totally makes sense.

[@Rayven10]

It's just you. When he was trying to write some lyrics, he was coming up with nothing and getting frustrated with the process. Time went by, and it was early in the morning (3:34 / 3:35 AM). "Wanting just to stay awake" in order to keep trying to write lyrics. "Wondering how much I can take" meaning frustration in not being able to be creative. "Should I try to do some more" work on writing lyrics. It isn't about drugs. It's about trying (and failing) to write a song in early morning.

[@randysquires8362]

Acid. Windowpane. LSD 25. 624. It was something else.....😳

[@michaelmerck7576]

I know that but it could easily be twisted to a drug thing simply because the band was really into the cocaine thing

[@CadenceMSM]

People can interpret however they like

[@stinkydogfilms]

I remember 10th or 11th grade, the McDill AFB band came and played this while in their uniforms. They really rocked the auditorium.

[@australpop6863]

One of the best songs through last fifty years for me.

[@patricelaut622]

Chicago rocks 24/7 I want you all I want on your songs are went to to your hundred so far I can't wait when I go to another concert from you guys you guys rock

[@taliajacobs1996]

Those knee slapping times 😌

[@nickgene4069]

So THIS is where Green Day got the guitar riff for Brain Stew

[@Syr_aviation]

I thought the same thing

[@lumberjack2477]

I xant believe I never mad we that connection before

[@markcollins3418]

Zeppelin's "Babe, I'm gonna leave you" used the same riff in 1969, but the Beatles w/ Eric Clapton did "While my guitar gently weeps" in 1968 employing basically the same chord progression. The riff has made the rounds.

[@dannyslusher]

@@markcollins3418 Yeah but green day went as far as hijacking the lyrical theme as well which is what you have to do if you play music for reasons other than just the pure love of playing. Not really knocking GD. Its a way to make great money, travel, have a great team of advisors that can let you know what's "in" in real time so you always appear be a rebel who could've done anything for a living but you were so gosh darn hip that being in a band was just too natural to not do. This can really save you when styles and trends are constantly changing and you have to either keep growing your fanbase or live with the growing discomfort of an STD that cost a whopping 83% percent of your income. I don't doubt that they love to play, but playing with a horn that doesn't leak can sure keep a guy motivated!!! Hey Chicago, Green Day meant to say thanks for doing the work, but you know how it is when you don't care about shit like that, right?

[@Havanorange]

Yep, that's so Green Day. I remember when they were coming up and having hits, and I was always like, yeah I remember liking this riff and that chord change the first time when I heard the other band doing it. Green Day copied a lot. And somehow, it worked out great for them.

[@rodmoore1577]

I was in the junior high school band in the early 70s and trust me when I say EVERY junior/senior high school and college band literally played Chicago's music! They were awesome!

[@Xploderz55]

I play trombone to this. It's so much fun!

[@Wandering_4ever]

Some great brass pieces in this song

[@kyleighd2751]

@@Wandering_4ever you're so right. I play euph and we are playing this piece for marching season this year. great piece for brass musicians 100%

[@the_bosedozer8896]

Instrumentally this song is one of the coolest songs ever. I had the pleasure to play in band in middle school and it was so much fun to play

[@savadgebeast420]

I have this crazy music trip while listening to this, fucking love this song

[@raulsanchez6861]

Great song and amazing riff!!!

[@jacktheinator1748]

One of all time favorite songs, and bands.

[@cherylynnwilson7011]

Cant believe there's 81 people who hate this song or Chicago!!!! They have no taste of music!

[@glennhuber4975]

They just have no lives

[@rodmoore1577]

Never underestimate the capacity of human stupidity!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂

[@antoniocanolicona6638]

uno de los mejores requintos que e escuchado.... o hay otro???????????

[@alkey7266]

Batman knows good music

[@jaya.0069]

I forgot about this great song from my youth, now I can't stop singing and listening to it!

[@beedettfree]

Have you heard 'Still A Young Man' by Tower of Power lately?

[@raym1955]

Song Meaning. According to composer Robert Lamm, the song is about trying to write a song in the middle of the night. The song's title is the time at which the song is set: 25 or 26 minutes before 4 AM. Because of the unique phrasing of the song's title, "25 or 6 to 4" has been interpreted to mean everything from a quantity of illicit drugs to the name of a famous person in code. The 1986 music video for the song references the correct meaning at its beginning.

[@deniselay3881]

I love this Song it's good and GREAT to listen to as well , Thank you for your music and everything love love this

[@scottarcher1976]

You know I was according to the release date 3 years old when this came out I am not a huge Chicago fan I I am a 1980s metal fan sort of I am classically vocally and 1st piano then eventually I picked up the guitar etcetera etcetera what I find cool about this song I thought it was going to be something deep the meaning of the song I mean and it's not it's simply because he woke up at 3:34 or 3:35 in the morning trying to write lyrics to the song they had to play the next day now that makes me really love this song 25 or 6 25 or 26 to 4 a.m. I love it

[@parispoet]

Awesome band. Saw them in concert many years ago. Great musicians & great voice! Miss those days..😥

[@smartalek180]

This sounds SOOOOO good. Thank you so much for giving it the REAL hifi treatment it demands. Wouldn't it be great if every uploader had the same respect? Cheers

[@ub40b42v]

Great music that can be a part of your life forever.

[@irishhuskie2585]

This is officially my favorite song of all time.

[@mrukman2006]

Got good taste!

[@TheMJN75]

I'm having trouble trying to sleep I'm counting sheep but running out As time ticks by, still I try No rest for crosstops in my mind.... On my own, here we go!

[@alec7707]

lmao

[@davidkonen7159]

I h*ve NE*RLY the EX*CT opposite for MY problem - I'll find myself ST*YING up on some nights.

[@henryblackburn7]

what instrument?

[@sirshane2000]

Sorry for your loss, but am happy that your Mother left you such a wonderful memory.

[@TomoyukiWatanabe]

what meaning about this Song??

[@marksandquist4275]

I loved this song on Letterman Paul used to play it lots

[@MrPythooon]

This is my #1 favorite song! :)

[@tylerhall9693]

Its is an awesome band arrangement im playing for a pep rally tomorrow

[@noelstephen3544]

Can some1 please explane what the numbers of the song means

[@monke6776]

This song is so good

[@Tammyperry1]

Terry Kath was an AWESOME guitar man.......This song is so crazy Lead singer is Peter Cetera

[@mireyaarroyo4271]

What does this song mean I have to play this for band but idk what 25 or 6 to 4

[@sandyw8850]

Good question, sorry I can`t help you with the answer though .

[@cherrysurfer68]

lmao it's about drugs apparently but idk how, I'm just as confused as you are

[@mireyaarroyo4271]

(mastur)bates motel thank u anyway:)

[@ayahuascaatdawn]

One of the band members was so high you couldn't tell what time it was and he said the name of this song

[@dbookin]

25 or 26 mins til 4 am

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

The Best Guitar solo Ever TERRY KATH and his Gibson SG is rad!~

[@bridgetdonlan1252]

My band is doing this for our annual program. Or performance, what ever you say, and I didn't know the lyrics, so this was cool

[@laynenadon8630]

One of my all time favorites 🤘😎🤘🔥🎤🎶

[@lilvizyena]

king of the hill is how I got hooked

[@jstonehoh]

Meee tooo. I love Chicago and I've watched every king off the hill episode at least twice, just heard it now. Or stood out I guess. Requested by Lucky too aka Tom Petty 👌

[@KallikylesFier]

We're doing this song for our school's coverband. I was wondering i anyone could help me on those two part with vocal harmonies? give me concert pitches to work with maybe?

[@davidreeves9791]

So fun playing this in Jazz Band :)

[@ItsKxvin]

I'm playing this song in jazz band and I play the 🎺. Jazz is life 🎺🎷🎸🎹🎶🎵🎼

[@RM-lj8bv]

Great Track, Thanks for posting.

[@juliathekiller]

im so excited to play this song for our field band season this year. its so fun

[@kriskraft9926]

Awsome. Love Chicago.

[@edgreen8140]

What is Terry's last name?

[@keithcarlson7267]

Makes me sick to my stomach that it took 25 years for Chicago to be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A band that has been together for 50 years with 4 of the 7 original members, 100+ million albums sold, many hit songs, etc. And bands/musicians that have no business being in like Nirvana, Joan Jett, Run D.M.C., and Beastie Boys!?!? Chicago is a bunch of musical geniuses that know how to perform.

[@gentryracing]

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a farce. It's nothing but a museum. They don't honor anyone- they decide who will bring the most tourist dollars in.

[@christianhoughtaling845]

You realize that a Band has to have there first record released at a minimum of 25 years ago before they can be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

[@dontcallmerudy9044]

Christian Houghtaling yea but the beastie boys were there before chicago beastie boys suck balls compared to chicago the rock and roll hall of fame is BS

[@jrzoska]

Are they ready to strike a deal with the devil ?

[@DaneWinehouse]

Man yells at cloud.

[@spideraxis]

Oh how I long for the days when this great band had so many hits.

[@FloweryThoughts]

I always enjoy a good music lesson!

[@harry6555]

MAGNIFICENT TUNE CHICAGO WOW

[@cherylynnwilson7011]

When this song came out, I was 13 teen playing in the front lawn @ my grandparents waiting for this high school(across the road in front of where my grandparents lived @) ~to get ready to start their football game & crown their homecoming queen, & this song was playing, they did a great job on playing this song, never knew what this song meant?& I asked my grandparents which they didn't know either, lol, but thought this song was great for sports like football games! Very catchy toon! We had popcorn drinks & our lawn chairs watching the game & the crowning of the homecoming queen, it was fun & cool! I miss thoughs years when I grew up with them! Ever since Ive loved Chiago music!!!!

[@robin7222]

Yeah... playing poker with my brothers when it was too rainy to work on the farm, we'd listen to Chicago albums and gamble 😁

[@ZanderzMcCluer]

I love that we played this in pep band. AT A FASTER TEMPO

[@aaronzimmer6137]

Great song! I played it for jazz band last week!

[@Blak7uerilla]

you are correct on your assessment. I heard Lamm say it in an interview.

[@markistehepicness]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does "25 or 6 to 4" mean it's 25 or 26 minutes to 4 in the morning?

[@taqueenmd]

The best Chicago song. I'm a hard rocker. Chicago is mostly a soft rock band, but this song kicks @$$.

[@RonJohn63]

Horns and guitars are a match made is music heaven.

[@stephgunther3879]

I love this song, I played it at a band concert

[@zoranjovanovski506]

the best band ever.

[@panchorubio2997]

I love Chicago!🤘🏼

[@jymle]

q chida cancion!!! gran video =)

[@edendenton7274]

Did this for marching band (like many people here!!) I was a flag in the color guard and I'll tell you, we MOVED to this song!!! One of my favorites to look back on :-)

[@jodylesso7709]

Hello from Colorado

[@waffles2570]

Owen you rule🤘🤘

[@elainewade8874]

To me, the real star of this whole production is Terry Kath's wonderful guitar playing, not just the great solos, but woven all the way through! You miss a lot of this on the 45 version!

[@tirzatrash9726]

playing this for jazz band :))) i’m so pumped

[@jacqueslecours1341]

best piece of sax

[@bonniegarrison2255]

I'm sitting here dipping corn chips in ranch dressing and thinking this the best music to eat chips by. Stay safe everyone

[@jacqueslecours9756]

Fantastic group of the eigthis

[@christinecook5141]

was there EVER a song like 25 or 6 to 4 at full volume