Chicago
Robert Fripp Lyrics


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I smile like Chicago
She laughs like the breeze
I try so hard to charm her
With minor mysteries
I collide with her softness
With the whispers and pleas
Echoes of her movements
Delicate obscenities

It's a one quarter rain dance
Half of it's prayer
It's a simplest romance
Rattles high in the air
She's the gentlest pretender
I'm a clown on a spree
Still it's sweet to remember




The way it might be
I smile like Chicago

Overall Meaning

In Robert Fripp's song "Chicago," the lyrics depict a sense of enchantment with a woman who seems to be carefree and untouchable. The singer is captivated by her laughter and delicate movements, and he tries to win her affection with his charm and mysterious allure. The “minor mysteries” he presents are his attempts at piquing her interest and breaking down her guard. However, there is still a sense of distance or unattainability in the way he describes her. The use of phrases like “gentlest pretender” and “delicate obscenities” suggest that there may be more to her than meets the eye, and she may be hiding something behind her carefree façade.


Line by Line Meaning

I smile like Chicago
I put on a façade of confidence and happiness, even though inside I may not feel that way


She laughs like the breeze
Her laughter is light and carefree, like the wind blowing through the trees


I try so hard to charm her With minor mysteries
I attempt to impress her with my vague and enigmatic behavior


I collide with her softness With the whispers and pleas
I come into contact with her gentle nature, and try to persuade her with gentle words


Echoes of her movements Delicate obscenities
The remnants of her actions have a beauty and grace to them, even if they are somewhat suggestive


It's a one quarter rain dance Half of it's prayer
Our attempts at romance are part performance and part hoping for divine intervention


It's a simplest romance Rattles high in the air
Our relationship is not complicated, but it still has a powerful presence


She's the gentlest pretender I'm a clown on a spree
She is very kind and displays a certain type of behavior, while I am more carefree and laughable


Still it's sweet to remember The way it might be
It is pleasant to think of the potential future that we could have together, even if it's only a fantasy




Contributed by Dylan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@MrDanielphenix

When Hammill sings the last Chicago...i still have goose bumps after 50 years ! Just amazing...no other versions on the 3 disc comes close to Hammill signing ! Unique! Genius!

@Mephistel

I'm eternally grateful for the collaborations and art made by Fripp and Hammill, as well as Fripp and Van Der Graaf Generator.

@wfermier

I like the Frippertronics worked into the music.

@nederlanditism1154

Peter Hammill sang that one. I found this record kind of disturbing (just like Gabriel's weird second and third), though we liked it, and continued. Half a life-time ago.

@mikke123

<3 love Fripp

@PrimitiveInTheExtreme

Fripp'n'Blues 🎶

@anthonysallis

Always loved this one, an awesome song. Is there a small time change just before "echoes of her movements" as it sounds foreshortened by a beat or two and throws the tempo off slightly for that next line - I can always hear the uncertainty in the vocal as to how it should be phrased. I prefer the smooth, quicker way it's done on this rather than Hammill's alternative take but maybe that is the intention, to throw in this subtle uncertainty. Unfortunately, Hall's take really doesn't get it, a rare miss, too high a pitch and too loose, too r&b for the topic at hand.

@davidmachemer1015

Daryl Hall's contribution does absolutely nothing for me.

@YoItsEvanAdams

Hall is not on this song

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