25 Or 6 To 4 – Chicago | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#4); 1970
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
On February 15, 1967, six musicians met in Chicago with a unique idea for a rock band with an integrated horn section. Calling themselves The Big Thing, the group was later renamed Chicago Transit Authority by an early supporter, Columbia Records staff producer James Guercio.
After relocating the band to L.A., Guercio arranged for two showcases, both of which received a negative reaction from the label. Columbia’s President Clive Davis then stepped in with an offer, and CTA released its first album in 1969.
Chicago II (the group’s name now shortened after a threatened law suit from the Windy City’s Mayor Daley) followed in less than a year. The leadoff single, 25 or 6 To 4, with Robert Lamm’s “cryptic” lyrics about his struggle to write a song and the time of day, slipped into the #4 slot in late summer, 1970 – their second of 20 Top 10 hits.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- James William Guercio
Lyrics Written by:
- Robert Lamm
Awards:
- Won American Video Award for Best Performance by a Group in 1986
- Won American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group in 1986
- Won Best of Fest Audience Choice Award at the 2016 Evening With A Legend festival
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).