Kiki Dee began singing with a local band in Bradford in the early 1960s. Her recording career began as a session singer. She sang backing vocals for Dusty Springfield, among others, and was highly regarded by other singers but did not achieve solo success in the UK for many years. In the USA, her style was admired and she became the first British artist to be signed by Tamla Motown, releasing her first Tamla single in 1970.
In the days before Radio 1 Kiki Dee was a regular performer of other people's hits on BBC radio, and she starred with a group of session singers in the BBC2 singalong series One More Time. Nevertheless, it was only after she joined forces with Elton John and Rocket Records that she became a household name in the UK. Her first major hits were "I Got The Music In Me" (1974) and "Amoureuse" (1973) [1].
Don't go breaking my heart (With Elton John) - 1976 Star - 1981 True love (with Elton John) - 1994
She has released 39 singles, 3 EPs, 9 LPs and 2 CDs to date. During the 1970s and 1980s was regularly voted the top UK female singer, with her powerful and soulful voice equally suited to rockers or ballads.
Kiki Dee has also appeared in musical theatre - notably in the lead role in the West End musical Blood Brothers. She took on the role (originally played by Barbara Dickson for the 1988 production and recording).
She also performed at Live Aid, reprising "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with John, and performing backing vocals on the other songs in his set.
She still tours, and occasionally makes guest appearances on television in shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks. She has recorded with other artists such as Dave Stewart and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri.
Chicago
Kiki Dee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 rearrange the world
It's dying - if you believe in justice
Dying - and if you believe in freedom
Dying - let a man live his own life
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 rearrange the world
It's dying - if you believe in justice
Dying - and if you believe in freedom
Dying - let a man live his own life
Dying - rules and regulations, who needs them open up the door
The lyrics of Kiki Dee's song "Chicago" are a call to action for social justice and freedom. The opening verse describes a situation where someone's brother has been bound and gagged and chained to a chair, which is clearly an injustice. The singer then urges the listener to come to Chicago to sing and help bring change. The land of freedom should not tolerate such unfair treatment, and it is up to everyone to do their part.
The second verse is directed towards politicians who are not doing enough to change the situation. The singer tells them that there is nothing for them here, and that they need to sit down and let others lead the way. The chorus repeats the message that "we can change the world, rearrange the world, it's dying - if you believe in justice, freedom, and letting people live their own lives." The song emphasizes the need for people to be free and urges the listener to show up and make a difference.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to action for social change and justice. It is a reminder that everyone has a role to play in creating a better world, and it is up to us to take action.
Line by Line Meaning
So your brother's bound and gagged
Your brother is being held captive and is unable to speak.
And they've chained him to a chair
He is physically restrained to a chair.
Won't you please come to chicago just to sing
Please come to Chicago and use your singing talents to create awareness about the situation.
In a land that's known as freedom how can such a thing be fair
It is unfair that such a situation can exist in a land known for freedom.
Won't you please come to chicago for the help that we can bring
Please come to Chicago to lend your support and help us.
We can change the world rearrange the world
Together, we have the power to change and improve the world.
It's dying - to get better
The world is in a state of decline, but we can make things better.
Politicians sit yourselves down, there's nothing for you here
Politicians are not welcome as they are not offering any help or solutions.
Won't you please come to chicago for a ride
Please come to Chicago for a journey, a metaphor for joining the fight for justice.
Don't ask jack to help you `cause he'll turn the other ear
Jack will not help, so we need you.
Won't you please come to chicago or else join the other side
Join us in our fight for justice, or remain on the wrong side of history.
It's dying - if you believe in justice
Without justice, the world is in decline.
Dying - and if you believe in freedom
Without freedom, the world is in decline.
Dying - let a man live his own life
We must allow people to live their lives on their own terms.
Dying - rules and regulations, who needs them open up the door
Too many rules and regulations stifle progress and hinder freedom; it's time to remove them.
Somehow people must be free I hope the day comes soon
We need freedom in order for society to thrive, and we hope that day comes quickly.
Won't you please come to chicago show your face
Please come to Chicago and be a visible presence in the fight for justice.
From the bottom of the ocean to the mountains of the moon
From every corner of the world, people need to come together for this fight.
Won't you please come to chicago no one else can take your place
You are uniquely qualified to help in this fight, and we need you.
It's dying - if you believe in justice
Reiterated as a reminder of the importance of justice.
Dying - and if you believe in freedom
Reiterated as a reminder of the importance of freedom.
Dying - let a man live his own life
Reiterated as a call for individual freedoms.
Dying - rules and regulations, who needs them open up the door
Reiterated as a call to action to remove rules and regulations that hinder people's lives.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: DONALD CLINT GOODMAN, JACK S. CONRAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@grahamrich3368
Thank for this! Fabulous piece of music from Kiki Dee!! 🎶🎶
@scottbrowne1884
For some reson, theis was a consistent part of the music rotation (usually late night) at KNX-FM, the Mellow Rock station in LA at 94.7. When I became a colleg DJ at KUCI, I included it in my own standard rotation. An even better song from Kiki is "One Step"..take a listen. The cold closing to Chicago is just outstanding!
@OCEANIC_BLUE
...por Dios que tema maravilloso , lo busque muchisimos años .... !!! ...THANKS !!!
@toodie535
had this album and played it to death. What a great voice--she and Phoebe Snow were the great northern soul voices of the 70's.
@jnadle1
This was rerecorded by Linda Clifford for the show Chicago Story in 1982.
@borgduck
This keeps coming back!
@lizjo7213
2021 cleaning out all my old stuff, found this on a 45 record, lol...
@Dj_jakemo
Wanna sell it?
@fccccfrock5184
Nice , Very. I like .
@rosalynwilks3974
Truth