According to Billboard, Chicago was the leading US singles charting group during the 1970s. They have sold over 38 million units in the US, with 22 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. Over the course of their career they have had five number-one albums and 21 top-ten singles.
There are at least two artists with this name:
1. A popular American rock band
2. A psytrance artist
(If you are scrobbling tracks here from Chicago - Music From The Miramax Motion Picture, please fix your tags.)
3. A Japanese vocalist named CHICACO but weirdly gets redirected here. She's been active in LYDIA GRAVE and the touhou arrangement circle ESQUARIA.
The second Chicago is a psytrance artist, the pseudonym of David Potter Christman. He is a member of 1200 Micrograms
Poem for the People
Chicago Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If they could visualize
Just open their eyes
Even stop to think about
If they could open their minds
They could get beyond
The world's a funny place you know
Is rarely funny
Rarely funny
Could the people understand
In only whisper and screams
And colorless dreams
Could they finally comprehend
If they could suddenly see
And suddenly feel
The world's a funny place you know
Most of what goes on
Is rarely funny
Rarely funny
The lyrics of Chicago's song "Poem for the People" call for greater awareness, understanding, and empathy among human beings. The singer suggests that if people were more perceptive, they would be able to see beyond the surface level of things and grasp the complexity of the world. They would understand that much of what happens in life is far from amusing and often marked by struggle and pain. If people could transcend their narrow perspectives and preconceptions, they could begin to appreciate the many shades of life and empathize with those who have experienced hardship.
The singer acknowledges that this is no easy feat, as the world is constantly bombarding us with noise, distractions, and illusions. The media often present a superficial and distorted version of reality, which can make it hard for people to think deeply and critically. Moreover, people tend to get caught up in their own concerns and desires and may overlook the suffering of others. However, if people were to take a step back and reflect on the complexity and diversity of humanity, they might be better able to appreciate the humorous and tragic aspects of life and connect with one another on a deeper level.
Overall, "Poem for the People" is a call for greater awareness, compassion, and unity among human beings. It suggests that by opening our minds and hearts, we can begin to appreciate the richness and complexity of life and support one another through its many ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
If the people only knew
If only the general public were aware
If they could visualize
If they could perceive or picture it in their minds
Just open their eyes
Simply being aware of what is happening or what is around them
Even stop to think about
Take a moment to consider or ponder upon
If they could open their minds
If they were willing to be more accepting and open to new ideas
They could get beyond
They could surpass or overcome
The world's a funny place you know
The world is a strange, peculiar, and unpredictable place
Most of what goes on
The majority of events or situations
Is rarely funny
Are usually not amusing or lighthearted
Could the people understand
Is it possible for people to comprehend
In only whisper and screams
Through subtle or intense forms of communication
And colorless dreams
And mundane or unremarkable aspirations
Could they finally comprehend
Can they eventually understand and grasp the meaning
If they could suddenly see
If they could unexpectedly become aware or recognize something
And suddenly feel
If they could abruptly sense or experience something intensely
The world's a funny place you know
The world is a strange, peculiar, and unpredictable place
Most of what goes on
The majority of events or situations
Is rarely funny
Are usually not amusing or lighthearted
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBERT LAMM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GaryFox11000
Got to see them 10 times the original seven ; & 5 times with
Lauder brilliant Brazilian percussionist !
Three incredible vocalists.
Lamm wrote most of the early sophisticated lyrics !
Cetera played incredible bass , with that sweet tenor vocal .
Legendary Kath Guitar ,
Ray Charles type soulful rich vocals .
Chicago would take an intermission break & ended the first set with
Make Me Smile!
Symphonic brass soaring
( Jimmy Pankow ) , & Terry's unique
Guitar , & very rich , spiritual , vocal.
Serapbine playing those tasty jazz funk , drums
Chicago was perfection!
Jimi Hendrix said ; your horn section sounds like one ; & your Guitar player is better than me ......🙋♂️👍🏆
@patrickstocks3576
If the people only knew
If they could visualize
Just open their eyes
Even stop to think about
If they could open their minds
They could get beyond
The worlds a funny place, you know
Most if what goes on
Is rarely funny
Rarely funny
At all
Could the people understand?
In all their whispered screams?
And colourless dreams
Could they finally comprehend?
If they could suddenly see
And suddenly feel
The worlds a funny place, you know
Most of what goes on
Is rarely funny
Rarely funny
At all
@darlatc1169
If the People only Knew
If they could Visualize
Just Open their Eyes
Even Stop to Think About
If they could Open their Minds
They could get Beyond
The World's a Funny Place You Know
Most of what Goes On
Is Rarely Funny
Rarely Funny
Would the People Understand
In all the Whisper Screams
And the Colorless Dreams
Would they Finally Comprehend
If they could Suddenly See
And Suddenly Feel
The World's a Funny Place You Know
Most of what Goes On
Is Rarely Funny
Rarely Funny
@contourbody
The more I watch this, the more I realise how very special this song/concert/band really were. 100% incomparable.....
@floatsting20
This was no garage band. It was very professional, in its writing and performing
@acevintura5102
Terry Kath guitar genius and the most soulful voice
@margotbridwell2865
So grateful I saw this original group at the age of 13. I remember every note of every song they played even still.
@jazzfusioner9840
Beautiful witness..
@akaGort-pb6xu
You can hear influences of Lennon McCartney here... but taken to another level with great horn arrangements and Terrys guitar absolutely the best band of that era... for those who have ears let them hear this is what music is about ... melody, harmony, composition, ... intelligent design ... Bravo guys!
@Patrickrivasticksdrums
I second that!
@floatsting20
You damn right about being a great band. I love the way they crash the harmonies
@mikeosmolak1864
Talent Personified!
@jeffmonungolh3233
i couldn't agree more!