PAPER LACE - The night Chicago died - First time hearing

PAPER LACE - The night Chicago died - First time hearing.This English band stole the heart of the Americans when the song went all the way to No1 in theie charts in the 70s.
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#rockreaction

[@brucer2152]

A true radio classic from 70's AM radio....

[@jimtatro6550]

WLS AM Chicago

[@albertsmith9315]

Yep... we'd sing every word along with the radio... at least 8 to 10 times a day. Amazingly, I remember every word right now, but can't remember what I had for dinner last night.

[@dedehe7582]

I remember this song, and I loved it then and now!!!... thanks HARRI

[@susanelkins3068]

was a hit here in the USA! Fantastic

[@jgsheehan8810]

A 2 hit wonder from the 70s. love this and Billy Don't be a hero as well

[@threekidzmom04]

I loved this song back in the 70’s. Brings back fun memories.

[@kevinhouse4376]

This song always takes me back to seventh grade.

[@l-bird]

This song was so powerful when it came out. Great reaction Harri!!

[@trhansen3244]

It's even worse in Chicago today. Thanks to liberals.

[@finallythere100]

Big in USA w flapper era, gangser feel !!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

I remember this from middle school! So corny but we all loved it!

[@ellenstrack6274]

This was all over the radio when it came out here in the USA....loved this band.

[@marybaillie8907]

Such a great memory. The fight out with the Chicago Police and Al Capone and a poor woman waiting to hear if her husband, a police man, was killed or not. This a big hit in Canada, to Number 1. The instruments are so appealing in this song, with the drummer being the star. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Imadrummin. Loved the drums. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

[@Imadrummin]

Thank you Mary. 😀

[@dawnsjams4380]

I was a teenager when this came out. Born and raised in Chicago and, my friends and I use to love this song and we use to laugh about it because, if you weren't from Chicago you would probably believe this was true. There is no East side of Chicago. The east side is Lake Michigan. And, there was never a shootout between Capone's men and the cops because, the cops were on his payroll. But, it was a very catchy tune, and we all enjoyed hearing and singing it. It was one of our favorite drinking songs.

[@chitownlee]

I was in my 20's when this came out and was also born and spent my first 40yrs in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Thanks for explaining that this is a fictitious story.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

There is, in fact, an East Side. According to Wikipedia, "East Side is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois. It is on the far south side of the city, between the Calumet River and the Illinois-Indiana state line, 13 miles south of downtown Chicago. The neighborhood has a park on Lake Michigan, Calumet Park, and a forest, Eggers Grove Forest Preserve." I had dinner down there once with a college buddy.

[@dawnsjams4380]

@@sourisvoleur4854 I am 64 years old and I have never heard of an East side of Chicago. My grandfather, who was born in 1919, on the south side of Chicago and use to sell papers to AL Capone as a kid, always got a kick out of the song and made jokes about people being good swimmers whenever he heard it on the radio. If that area is being called the east side now, I haven't heard about it, and neither has anybody I know from Chicago. I guess it's like everything else that has changed in the city since I was a kid. To me though, there will only be what I grew up with, South,West, North, and Northwest sides.

[@laurabrevitz3944]

😂

[@thorfinsky1427]

@@dawnsjams4380 Unless Chicago is 2 dimensional, there is an "east side".

[@Dee-JayW]

Ahhhh Harri…my youth! ❤ 🇨🇦 They were BIG in Canada, next up should be “Billy Don’t Be A Hero”!

[@dagmar.6954]

Love this song! Paper Lace is an English rock band who rose to success in 1974 & had three UK Top 40 hit singles: "Billy Don't Be A Hero", "The Night Chicago Died" & "The Black-Eyed Boys".

[@sappersteel532]

Awesome song. I remember as a kid when it hit the radio learning about Al Capone for the first time.

[@topherwhite370]

I grew upon this. It was everywhere when I was young.

[@ursulabklyn_mia6148]

They are from Nottingham. One hit wonder in the US but had 3 UK top hits. I loved this dramatic quality of this song. The N8ght Chicago diesd is fitting for 2022 minus Al Capone.

[@Dee-JayW]

Big in Canada as well ❤

[@John_Chu]

The guys who wrote this also wrote Paper Lace's "Billy, Don't Be a Hero." Unlike "The Night Chicago Died," their version didn't strike gold. Rather, an American band, Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods got a big hit with their cover version. That song was also about American history, this time The Civil War. By the way, there is no East Side of Chicago. It's North or South. The songwriters mixed up NYC gangland mythology with Al Capone's Chicago escapades.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Wikipedia: East Side is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois. It is on the far south side of the city, between the Calumet River and the Illinois-Indiana state line, 13 miles south of downtown Chicago. The neighborhood has a park on Lake Michigan, Calumet Park, and a forest, Eggers Grove Forest Preserve.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Not in the UK. Paper Lace had huge hit with Billy,,,

[@candywright64]

Yes, I think I can remember having a 45 record. One side was this song & the other side was Billy, Don't Be a Hero. I'm not sure as I was so young then.

[@33MarciS]

@@candywright64 The 2 weren’t on the same 45 record I had, but it might’ve been different in different markets. I had this and the Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods version of Billy Don’t Be a Hero. I didn’t know until about 20 years ago that Paper Lace released an earlier version. It’s interesting how back in the 70s (and probably 60s too) the same song would be recorded and released by different artists around the same time.

[@bluelionvintage8134]

Just sang along every word with a big old grin on my face. I was in elementary school and bought the 45 and just about wore it out!! Loved it!!

[@patswanson2870]

It reached no. 2 on the charts in Canada.

[@kimking6036]

I was a kid when I bought this record. I told my brother in law I wish I could hear this all the way around me. Especially the beginning, no surround sound then.😄 He did it. He figured it out and it was so cool. Mom hated it😄

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

As a kid I loved this. Billy don't be a hero was huge hit for them too. Oh to be young again Harri!

[@jeffcobb2734]

When I was a kid, you could buy albums from K-Tel which were compilations of the top hits. That's where I first heard this song! Wonderful memories.

[@tvgator1]

Yep! This song was on at least three different K-TEL compilation albums; probably more.

[@diane-]

This is such a great song, I remember this from back in the day and I love it. Great pick.💞

[@tvgator1]

This song went straight to #1 in America; are you kidding? Big hit. I was in elementary school and they played the hell out of this one.

[@ericnordstrom4335]

A really good one hit wonder that Paper Lace sang as well was Billy Dont Be A Hero. It was one of my favorites on the radio when I was 8 years old.

[@The5thGen]

Love that song.

[@agnetesorensenelbom5085]

Remember the song ❤ Nice memory 👍🥰

[@barrycohen311]

The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week in 1974 (USA), reached number 3 in the UK charts, and number 2 in Canada. It is about a fictional shoot-out between the Chicago Police and members of the Al Capone Syndicate.

[@mjd6199]

My brothers and I were kids when this song came out here in the USA and we loved it! Still a good, catchy song.

[@garfield122010]

Another great upbeat 70's track with the drummer as lead singer '' Sky High '' by Jigsaw ❤❤❤

[@tonydelapa1911]

Very popular here. I live about 100 miles from Chicago. Great story and music, as you said. Thanks for doing this one, Harri. This was a good reaction video!

[@michaelasay8587]

Oh #1 on the American charts!

[@traceycater]

You make me smile! Thank-you Harri!!!!

[@Cynthia...]

I absolutely love this song Imadrummin and it has been ages since I heard it. Thanks for the reminder and the reaction Harri.

[@Imadrummin]

Thank you Cynthia. 😀

[@joekuul8769]

Loved this song when I was a kid listening to it on the radio, and I still love it!

[@debbiechang5781]

Wow! Talk about a blast from the past. I remember this and haven’t heard it since my teens. Thanks to Imadrummin and Harri for this 🎄✌️

[@MommaBird52]

Truly unique sound. I always liked it. Aussie great John Farnham was diagnosed with mouth cancer this past summer. I was wondering if you would react to John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes live singing When Something is Wrong with my Baby. I also has another Aussie legend John Diesel. Prayer for John!

[@user-wo3el8eu7j]

This was one of my favorites when it came out. If I'm not mistaken it was the #1 Song for the Year 1974

[@memorylanemodelcars]

Yes Harri it was A Huge Hit in America for Paint Lace it was Their #1 Hit it was about 1974

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

1974.... I was 17 and home from training in the Army National Guard. My friends who were all older than I was took me drinking, in my uniform.... One place that was a place we ended up a lot was the Calendar Girl.. a go go place in Wichita Kansas.. One of the songs they danced to was The Night Chicago Died... I was a big fan of the band... Chicago.... I was a little afraid it was about them.... but that was still 4 years before that happened.... This brings back so many great and funny memories... Thanks

[@deanjarva1373]

When I first heard this I had to know if the story was true (it wasn't). Every other reaction I've seen to this song they ask the same thing, this is first reaction that just focused on what a fun catchy song this is and not whether or not the story is true. Great reaction as always!

[@bocephus1911]

Al Capone was real , isn’t this about the valentines day massacre, ,

[@carollittle1059]

Loved this when it came out.

[@danielvolk237]

Imadrummin' This a great classic. You still got it brother. 😉 Great reaction Harri. 🤴🇬🇧🇨🇦🇺🇸🎅🤶🎀🎁🌲☃️🎄❄️🔥

[@Imadrummin]

Thank you brother Daniel. You do too my man. 👍

[@daylocke6181]

I was very young when this came out love it still

[@Imadrummin]

I didn't realize until later on that the drummer was the lead vocalist. Great great song and reaction Harri. 👍👍👍

[@snapdragon8888]

I was 12, maybe 13 when this came out, which would put it at 1974 or 1975. There was a jukebox in the lobby of our junior high school, and this was one it.

[@wendyryder2708]

Hi Harri! Thanks for your reaction to this song! I LOVE it!I think this is maybe early seventies, I was in my early teens and used to love listening to it when it came on the radio! Peace, Blessings and Merry Christmas from Australia.

[@bradleyrogers8073]

Love this song, sing along everytime I hear it.

[@maddmuggs]

Awesome memories…….

[@sandyboudreaux-barber9586]

Always loved this song. It was popular back then.

[@jessicajackson8064]

Love this song!

[@hazelmaylebrun6243]

It was number 1 in Canada too. It was on the radio constantly for a while. And they did have other songs... at least in Canada. The only thing I can say as a story with the song is... Al Capone had a hideout way out in the boonies in rural Ontario, Canada... and I have seen it and been to it, though it's nothing but a rundown little shack now. That's about it.

[@darrendixon3191]

OH YA, I was in 6th grade. This was a huge song, came out with Killing me Softly, Roberta Flack. Both filled the air ways.

[@petersutton2182]

Their version of 'Billy Don't Be A Hero' is a must watch if your not familiar.

[@59dstorm]

Hello from Southern Illinois

[@rebeccalipps23]

One of the few things both my dad & my ex had in common (other than me) was their love for this song. My dad lived in Chicago for 18 months 73-75 while in training for a Treasury Dept. job. Mom & I went to visit him a couple of times, but he usually came home via bus every two weeks. My ex liked this because it was popular when he left the Navy after his tour in Viet Nam.

[@michelefaucher4180]

I forgot about this one. .good pick Harry.

[@willmacintyre649]

📻🎷📯🎺🥁🎤🎼🎵🎶

[@dsusan17]

I heard this a a young teen. I just recently really listened to the lyrics. Great pick Imadrummin. Harri great reaction and analysis. Unfortunately Chicago still has a high murder rate, especially on the weekends. Harri I heard this a lot on the radio. I don't know where it landed in the charts.

[@Imadrummin]

Thank you D Rice!! 👍

[@janabraam7963]

This song was a hit in the U.S. for Paper Lace. I still have the 45. BTW - My uncle owned a large floral store in Detroit back in the day. Al Capone would frequent his place when he was in town. My uncle was on the witness stand for 3 days at Al Capone's tax evasion trial, giving testimony about how he was paid by him for flowers.

[@laurabrevitz3944]

Loved this song when it came out. The irony I hear now, and didn't hear then, was the Chicago police were notorious at that time, specifically for the riots in 1968 and the violent police response. But in this song they are heroes for fighting the bad guys.....

[@craiglarge5925]

I was in 5th grade when this song was big back in 1974.

[@RealTechZen]

A lot of the police in Chicago who battled the Italian mobs were Irishmen. The song was out near the time of several gangster movies.

[@kitkakitteh]

Proudly played in every Skateland, everywhere for years 😂

[@philippineau3046]

Early '70's drummers who sing - check out Edward Bear.

[@charlesnickerson4812]

Billy don't be a hero was another hit

[@memorylanemodelcars]

I was 13 When This Çame out. & Yes it Was Very Big in The USA

[@khoohockleong7585]

I am surprised you did not hear the song when you grew up. This song was so popular that any Asian English singer who had a powerful huske voice (including female singers) would give a rendition of the song in the album that they cut.

[@UncleQue]

It was a very big hit here in the states. Filled the radio airwaves for a few months. Funny piece of nitpicking is that Chicago is usually referred to as the North and South sides, not East and West.

[@garfield122010]

Paper Lace had a bigger hit in the UK with '' Billy don't be a Hero '' they also had a hit called '' The Black Eyed Boys '' ❤

[@jimbrentar]

straight from my childhood

[@jeremylammert9454]

My great grandfather lived nextdoor to Capone in the 20s lol

[@petemartinez7080]

This was a HUGE hit

[@susanneubert6447]

LoL… this was popular in the early ‘70’s. My sweetheart and I were camping across Canada. We mentioned to the Rangers if we should be concerned about bears in this wilderness. He laughed and said you’re from Chicago and you’re worried about bears???

[@CH-vh8kg]

Thank you .

[@briandonnelly8728]

Hi Harri, got a forgotten smash hit from 69 I think it was, also a British singer, only had the one hit Down Under, that being Eloise by Barry Ryan, unfortunately passed away last year, definitely worth a listen.

[@jomiiller6297]

Check out Black eyed Boys Billy don’t be a hero Great band

[@brandonious7732]

Immadrummin my man you beat me to the punch again

[@Imadrummin]

😀

[@anthonyjd6097]

Around the same time another great storyteller song came out Beau Donaldson in the Heywoods, Billy don’t be a hero check that out harry you’ll love it

[@susanneubert6447]

There is also the snippet of Chicago Polka music toward the end!!!

[@debbiespleet6100]

Was a #1

[@paulwhite5840]

The story of the song is fictional. It was written by two British men who had never been to Chicago. As my good friend and boss from Chicago points out, "The east side of Chicago is a lake!" Still a great song from my childhood. I was 12 when it was released.

[@orionspero560]

I always thought of Billy. Don't be a hero as more of their top hit, though they only have the two

[@cindyasselborn9234]

We used to eat pizza across the street from where St Valentines Day Massacre happened. It was up by Lincoln Park which is close the the lake. If you like songs that tell a story look up the Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot.

[@michaellitwin2515]

The funny thing about this band is they had no ties to Chicago and Chicago does not have a East side, still a terrific song

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Chicago does have an East Side. It's the name of a neighborhood. Wikipedia: East Side is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago, Illinois. It is on the far south side of the city, between the Calumet River and the Illinois-Indiana state line, 13 miles south of downtown Chicago. The neighborhood has a park on Lake Michigan, Calumet Park, and a forest, Eggers Grove Forest Preserve.

[@michaellitwin2515]

@@sourisvoleur4854 that is the southeast side of the city, there is no east side unless you live in Lake Michigan,I have lived here all my life,there is a southeastside but no eastside ,Wikopedia is wrong,, that neighborhood you are talking about is the southeast part of the city

[@jhamptonjr]

I think they could have done pretty well if they had put out a song called The night Atlanta burned!

[@charlesnickerson4812]

Came out the year i graduated high school 1975

[@user-eb6th5zl4o]

Yes it was a one hint wonder, Ironically it was not supposed to be played the air for the radio stations... The story has it, A Disk jockey - not paying attention, Played the wrong side of A 45 record... He meant to play: Billy don't be a hero

[@pikeplace187]

If you like drummers who sing you should check out the Eagles Don Henley

[@genataylor460]

Did the band break up and the members join other bands. I always loved the song, and the musicians were so good, I hate to think their careers stopped with this one song.

[@mcasualjacques]

the drummer wanted to get noticed so he chose an orange drum set

[@bradleyrogers8073]

Please react to: Meatloaf - For Crying Out Loud (Greatest Love Song Ever) Mary Chapin Carpenter - I Feel Lucky (Just fun)

[@stevejuszczak9402]

St Valentine day massicure it happened in the 1920s

[@oldermusiclover]

sadly the drummer is now decesed

[@winstonsmith8441]

I hate this song more than any song ever written, played, or recorded. It sucks in every conceivable dimension of sucking. In fact, it single-handedly extended sucking into dimensions that had never sucked before, thus irreversibly degrading the overall integrity of the universe. It was played four billion, seven hundred and twenty-eight million times over the radio waves which distorted the electro-magnetic spectrum to such a degree that it has not yet fully recovered. Further, numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies conclusively demonstrated that it reduced the collective IQ of the human race by 2.47 percent, and it is feared that it will have similarly devastating effects on unsuspecting, intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe as the radio waves expand through the Cosmos. It has been postulated by CERN that the incredibly immense, sheer Suckiness of the song might eventually cause it to collapse in on itself in a sort of Musical Black Hole (MBH) and thus ultimately protect the Cosmos from its worst effects, but this is just theory. So, while we can pray that CERN's MBH theory is ultimately correct, the only concrete thing we can realistically do to minimize future harm is to QUIT PLAYING THIS GOD-FORSAKEN SONG!

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

Don't beat about the bush, you liked it really didn't you? Yeah, you did. It's ok to admit it we won't judge you. Honest.

[@winstonsmith8441]

@@DawnSuttonfabfour I had succeeded in finally forgetting that this specific collection of sounds even existed until Harri resurrected it and ruined my Christmas season. I may never forgive him.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

@@winstonsmith8441 🎄🎄 thought your comment was very funny. Quite made my day.😆🤣

[@lindaleebahr6651]

This is a terrible song! Usually voted as one of the Top 20 Terrible Songs of the 1970's. Tells a story we don't care about, if you can actually figure the story out. Terrible Lead Vocals and the Grunting backing vocals are annoying at best. No wonder they didn't go far!

[@openfor45]

YES, this song did VERY well in America! I know, i had turned the 45 vinyl on this too many times when it was released. And NO, Paper Lace is not just a One-Hit wonder, another #1 hit song is 'Billy Don't Be a Hero', suggest you add it to your future list.