There are more songs about Chicago than there are, say, broken hearts for every light on Broadway.
Many of them are blues. Many of them are depressing. A surprising number involve getting a gun and killing someone - your friend, enemy, family member, etc.
Why, you can see a whole list of them on Wikipedia, right here. You can also put them on your iPod for, if not the soundtrack of your life, the soundtrack of the trip of your life.
My favorites:
1. Jim Croce - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Meaner than Oprah?
2. David Sanborn - Chicago Song
The windy city blows!
3. Elvis Presley - In the Ghetto
Couldn't you trade in that white suit to help the helpless child...in the ghetto?
4. Frank Sinatra - My Kind of Town
Witty banter, anyone?
5. Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
I made a lot of mistakes. I made a lot of mistakes. Keep making them. Repeat mantra.
6. Common/Kanye West - Southside
It's like I have a twin.
7. Count Basie - Going to Chicago Blues
One depressing song about Chicago. Ha, ha, ha! Two depressing songs about Chicago. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Etc.
8. Rolling Stones - Hitch Hike
The last time Jagger hitchhiked was when he wrote this song.
9. Robert Johnson - Sweet Home Chicago
The guy sells his soul to the devil, and all he gets is a stupid T-shirt.
10. Paul Butterfield - Born in Chicago
"Son, you'd better get a gun." Good parenting, dad.
Great tunes. As a tuneup, when leaving Wisconsin, you can add The Everly Brothers song "Illinois" from their outstanding album Roots.
ReplyDeleteI forgot all about that one. Classic!
ReplyDeleteThis one came to mind as well:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCCO7qQ8EK8&feature=related
Thankfully no one is suggesting a soundtrack consisting of songs BY THE BAND Chicago.
ReplyDeleteAt what point would suicide be a viable option?
What about the Chicago soundtrack? Wait- did you do that joke already?
ReplyDeleteI thought of that one, but there is no song about Chicago in Chicago. How ironic.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this new skyscraper walking tour feature they have in Chicago !
ReplyDeletehttp://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/04/point-shoot-and-learnnew-systems-lets-you-download-tour-information-about-great-chicago-skyscrapers-.html