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 lyrics of the song 'Chicago' by Crosby Stills Nash & Young revolve around the chaos and violence that erupted during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The first verse of the song sets the stage for the violence and chaos with the lines, "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?" The second line, "In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair," questions how something so unjust could occur in a country that is supposed to be a beacon of freedom.


The song goes on to urge politicians to take action and make a change for the better. The lyrics, "Politicians sit yourselves down there's nothing for you here. Won't you please come to Chicago for a ride," shows frustration with the lack of action and responsibility taken by those in power. The chorus emphasizes the message of change, "We can change the world. Rearrange the world. It's dying. To get better." The final verse echoes the message of freedom and the hope for a better future, "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."


Overall, the song is a call for action and change, urging people to stand up against injustice and fight for freedom.


Line by Line Meaning

So your brother's bound and gagged and they've chained him to a chair
Your loved ones are being oppressed, and we need your help to fight against such injustices.


Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing
Join us and use your musical talents and celebrity status to raise awareness about the plight of the people in Chicago.


In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair
How can this be happening in a country that claims to be a land of freedom and equality? It's unfair and unjust.


Won't you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring
We need your help to make a difference and bring about positive change in Chicago.


(We can change the world)
Together, we have the power to change the world.


Rearrange the world
By working together, we can restructure society to be more equitable and just for all.


It's dying
The system is broken and dying, and we need to take action before it's too late.


If you believe in justice
If you believe in what is right and just, then join us in making a difference.


If you believe in freedom
If you believe in the inherent right to live free from oppression, then stand with us and fight for it.


Let a man live his own life
Everyone should have the right to live their own life as they see fit, without interference from others.


Rules and regulations who needs them
The current system is bogged down with pointless rules and regulations that do more harm than good.


Open up the door
We need to be more open and inclusive, and allow everyone a seat at the table when it comes to making decisions that affect us all.


Somehow people must be free I hope the day comes soon
We need to work together to ensure that everyone is free to live their own life without fear of retribution or oppression. It's essential that we make it happen soon.


Won't you please come to Chicago show your face
We need you to physically show up and demonstrate your support for the people of Chicago.


From the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon
From the depths of the sea to the highest peaks of the universe, we need everyone to stand with us and make a difference.


Won't you please come to Chicago no one else can take your place
Your unique talents and skills are needed to help us fight against injustice and make a real difference in Chicago.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, 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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