Writer: Robert Lamm
Producer: James William Guercio
Recorded: August 1969 in New York and Hollywood, California
Released: 1970
| Players: | Peter Cetera — vocals, bass Terry Kath — guitar, vocals Robert Lamm — keyboards, vocals Danny Seraphine — drums, vocals Lee Loughnane — trumpet, vocals James Pankow — trombone, vocals Walt Parazaider — saxophone, vocals |
| Album: | Chicago II (Columbia, 1970) |
Chicago formed in 1967, originally calling themselves the Big Thing, then Chicago Transit Authority. They dropped the “Transit Authority” after their first album in 1969.
One of the first rock groups to incorporate brass instruments, Chicago carried on a friendly rivalry with colleagues in bands such as Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Although Blood, Sweat & Tears' members claimed they came first, Chicago was actually formed at least five months earlier.
Keyboardist Robert Lamm said that “25 Or 6 To 4” is “just a reference to a time of day. The song is about writing a song. It's not mystical.”
“25 Or 6 To 4” was the second single from Chicago II and Chicago's first Top Five hit, peaking at Number Four on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song reached Number Seven on the U.K. pop chart.
The Chicago II album peaked at Number Four on the Billboard 200 chart.
Chicago II's liner notes had a defiantly political edge. The album was dedicated “to the people of the revolution… and the revolution in all its forms.”
