Chicago (Graham Nash song)

"Chicago" (often listed as "Chicago / We Can Change the World") is the debut solo single by English singer-songwriter Graham Nash, released in 1971 from his debut solo album Songs for Beginners. The song reached number 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 29 on the Cash Box Top 100.[1] It is his highest-charting single. In Canada, "Chicago" peaked at number 19.[2] The song also made the Dutch charts in 1971, peaking at number 5.

"Chicago"
Single by Graham Nash
from the album Songs for Beginners
B-side"Simple Man"
ReleasedMay 1971
GenreRock
Length2:55
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)Graham Nash
Producer(s)Graham Nash
Graham Nash singles chronology
"Chicago"
(1971)		 "Military Madness"
(1971)

Background

The title and lyrics of the song refer to the anti-Vietnam War protests that took place during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the subsequent trial of the Chicago Eight, where protest leaders were charged with conspiracy to incite a riot. The first line of the song, "So your brother's bound and gagged, and they've chained him to a chair", refers to Black Panther leader Bobby Seale,[3] the sole African-American defendant, who was gagged and chained to a chair in the courtroom following repeated outbursts in protest of rulings by Judge Julius Hoffman.

The line "Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing?" refers to Nash pleading with bandmates Stephen Stills and Neil Young to come to Chicago to play a benefit concert for the Chicago 8 defense fund. The chorus contains the lines, "We can change the world / Rearrange the World".

On the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young live album, 4 Way Street (1971), Nash dedicates the song to "Mayor Daley", a sardonic reference to Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley, who was notoriously antagonistic towards anti-war protesters. CSN and CSNY played the song live throughout their career.

In June 2008, in Denver, Colorado, CSN played a slightly rewritten version of the song called "Denver", in anticipation of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[4]

Chart performance

Personnel

Sherbet cover

In 1973, Australian band Sherbet recorded an extended version of Chicago for their album On with the Show, which went for over 10 minutes. Sherbet also performed a live version of the song on Australian TV show GTK.[8]

David Gilmour cover

In August 2009, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour released an online version, titled "Chicago - Change the World", on which he sang and played guitar, bass and keyboards, to promote awareness of the plight of Gary McKinnon. It featured Chrissie Hynde and Bob Geldof, plus McKinnon himself, and was made with Nash's support.[9] A remix of the track later developed into the album Metallic Spheres, credited to The Orb and David Gilmour.[10]

Hip hop samples

In 1999, the rappers Kanye West and Beanie Sigel sampled Chicago on the single "The Truth"; in 2003, Westside Connection used the same sample for their single "Gangsta Nation".

Use at protest events

Graham Nash expressed displeasure toward Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for the "unauthorized" use of the song at anti-vaccine rallies. Nash disagrees with Kennedy regarding vaccine hesitancy and felt that the original intent of his protest song was being co-opted for an unrelated cause that he did not believe in. Nash was concerned that people would mistakenly believe that he supports Kennedy's anti-vaccine campaign. Nash's manager suggested a "cease and desist" letter would be issued.[11]

References
  1. "Top 100 1971-07-31". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2015-07-07.
  2. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  3. "Mr. Fish: Mr. Fish in Conversation With Graham Nash - Interviews -Truthdig". Truthdig. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  4. Crosby, Stills & Nash - "Denver" (6/26/08) - Antiwar DNC. 27 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 31 March 2016 – via YouTube.
  5. "Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70" (in French). InfoDisc. 1971-09-23. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  6. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1971" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  7. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1971" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  8. Chicago- Sherbet on YouTube
  9. "Chicago". Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  10. Ewing, Jerry (10 August 2023). "David Gilmour and The Orb's Metallic Spheres remixed and reimagined". Louder. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  11. Lochrie, Conor (2022-01-23). "Graham Nash Slams RFK Jr. for Using His Song in Anti-Vax Rally Video". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
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