Chicago
Crosby. Stills. Nash & Young Lyrics


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So your brother's bound and gagged and they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing
In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair
Won't you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring

We can change the world
Rearrange the world
It's dying
To get better

Politicians sit yourselves down there's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago for a ride
Don't ask Jack to help you 'cause he'll turn the other ear
Won't you please come to Chicago or else join the other side

(We can change the world)
Yes we can change the world
(Rearrange the world)
Rearrange the world

(It's dying)
If you believe in justice
(It's dying)
If you believe in freedom
(It's dying)
Let a man live his own life
(It's dying)
Rules and regulations who needs them
Open up the door

Somehow people must be free I hope the day comes soon
Won't you please come to Chicago show your face
From the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon
Won't you please come to Chicago no one else can take your place

(We can change the world)
Yes we can change the world
(Rearrange the world)
Rearrange the world

(It's dying)
If you believe in justice
(It's dying)
If you believe in freedom
(It's dying)
Let a man live his own life
(It's dying)




Rules and regulations who needs them
Open up the door

Overall Meaning

The song "Chicago" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was released in 1970, during a time when the US was in a state of political and social upheaval. It is an impassioned call for people to come to Chicago, a city where protests against the Vietnam War were taking place, to help make a change. The opening lines describe a situation in which someone's brother has been unfairly imprisoned and asks the listener to come to Chicago and "sing" for help.


Throughout the song, the lyrics implore politicians to take action and for people to stand up for justice and freedom. The lines "Politicians sit yourselves down there's nothing for you here" and "Don't ask Jack to help you 'cause he'll turn the other ear" express the frustration and disillusionment many people had with their leaders at the time. The song ends with a hopeful vision of a world where people are free from rules and regulations and can live their lives as they choose.


Overall, "Chicago" is a powerful protest song that reflects the spirit of the times it was written in. Its message of hope and the belief that people can make a difference still resonates today, making it a timeless classic.


Line by Line Meaning

So your brother's bound and gagged and they've chained him to a chair
Your loved one is imprisoned and helpless, restrained and tormented by the authority


Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing
Can you lend your voice to sing a message of hope and solidarity in Chicago?


In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair
In a nation that values liberty, how can this kind of injustice be allowed?


Won't you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring
We need your assistance to fight against this oppression, join us in Chicago


We can change the world
We have the power to revolutionize our society


Rearrange the world
We can shift things around and create a better reality


It's dying
The current system is failing us and is in need of a drastic change


To get better
We must take action and strive to improve our world


Politicians sit yourselves down there's nothing for you here
Please do not intervene, politicians, stay out of our way


Won't you please come to Chicago for a ride
Join us on this journey towards freedom and justice in Chicago


Don't ask Jack to help you 'cause he'll turn the other ear
Don't count on Jack's assistance, he is inclined to ignore this issue


Won't you please come to Chicago or else join the other side
We implore you to stand with us in Chicago or be against us


If you believe in justice
If you hold justice in high esteem


If you believe in freedom
If you value liberty and autonomy


Let a man live his own life
Allow individuals to have control over their own existence


Rules and regulations who needs them
Why have strict guidelines when we can live with more freedom and flexibility?


Open up the door
Remove the barriers and let people have equal opportunities


Somehow people must be free I hope the day comes soon
It's necessary for people to be free and released from oppression, hopefully the day when this happens is near


Won't you please come to Chicago show your face
Will you come to Chicago and make your presence known as a supporter of justice and equality?


From the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon
No matter how far we go in search of freedom, let's make it happen together


Won't you please come to Chicago no one else can take your place
We need you specifically to join this movement in Chicago, nobody can replace you




Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GRAHAM NASH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@MrBachfie

The Trial of the Chicago 7 !!


Crosby Stills Nash and Young - "Chicago" !!


Though your brother's bound and gagged
And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago
Just to sing
In a land that's known as freedom
How can such a thing be fair
Won't you please come to Chicago
For the help that we can bring
We can change the world
Re-arrange the world
It's dying ... to get better
Politicians, sit yourselves down
There's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago
For a ride?
Don't ask Jack to help you
'Cause he'll turn the other ear
Won't you please come to Chicago
Or else join the other side?
We can change the world
Re-arrange the world
It's dying, if you believe in justice
It's dying, if you believe in freedom
It's dying, let a man live his own life
It's dying, rules and regulations, who needs them
Throw them out the door
Somehow people must be free
I hope the day comes soon
Won't you please come to Chicago
Show your face?
From the bottom of the ocean
To the mountains on the moon
Won't you please come to Chicago?
No one else can take your place
We can change the world
Re-arrage the world
It's dying, if you believe in justice
It's dying, and if you believe in freedom
It's dying, let a man live his own life
It's dying, rules and regulations, who needs them
Throw them out the door



@dannyarchives4336

So your brother's bound and gagged and they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing
In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair
Won't you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring
We can change the world
Rearrange the world
It's dying
To get better
Politicians sit yourselves down there's nothing for you here
Won't you please come to Chicago for a ride
Don't ask Jack to help you 'cause he'll turn the other ear
Won't you please come to Chicago or else join the other side
Yes we can change the world
(Rearrange the world)
Rearrange the world
If you believe in justice
(It's dying)
If you believe in freedom
(It's dying)
Let a man live his own life
(It's dying)
Rules and regulations who needs them
Open up the door
Somehow people must be free I hope the day comes soon
Won't you please come to Chicago show your face
From the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon
Won't you please come to Chicago no one else can take your place
Yes we can change the world
(Rearrange the world)
Rearrange the world
If you believe in justice
(It's dying)
If you believe in freedom
(It's dying)
Let a man live his own life
(It's dying)
Rules and regulations who needs them
Open up the door



All comments from YouTube:

@jonmyerstheworldsbestmedia3919

One of the wonderful songs of all-time: The opening riff, the words, the beat. Thank you, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young!

@dorothysmith7289

It is Graham Nash's song but I hear backup vocals from David Crosby at least. Stephen Stills (who is originally from Dallas) did not want to go to Chicago after the 1968 Democratic Convention. Graham wrote this song to Stephen begging him to "Come to Chicago no one else can take your place, Show your face". They were all anti-war and Graham felt that by going "We can change the world". Powerful stuff that we could use today.

@godfreycaruana1138

this song is credited to crosby & nash only

@godfreycaruana1138

correction-this song is by graham nash

@kevinlarkin2696

CHICAGO
2024 ..
DIMOCRATS ..

@michaelbruce3871

​@@godfreycaruana1138you are correct, this was a single by Graham Nash and none of the others in the band appeared on this recording.

@georgevella1141

The struggles continue. I was finishing high school when this first aired. Different age now but the lyrics still resonate.

@robertdubs9466

This song is getting more and more relevant every day. Graham Nash and Neil Young wherever you are, come back. We need you more than ever.

@sassysandie2865

Yeah Young is woke.

@keithlohnes487

@@sassysandie2865 It's sad, you'd think he found wisdom from his songs.

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