CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY

A horn section in a rock band? You bet. Chicago showed the world how they could rock with brass and successfully incorporate funk, jazz, and pop balladry. You can hear it all on their groundbreaking double-platinum 1969 debut.


Original Tracks
Click song for Lyrics

Introduction (6:35)
(Terry Kath)
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (4:36)
(Robert Lamm)
Beginnings (7:54)
(Robert Lamm)
Questions 67 And 68 (5:02)
(Robert Lamm)
Listen (3:21)
(Robert Lamm)
Poem 58 (8:37)
(Robert Lamm)
Free Form Guitar (6:47)*
(Terry Kath)
South California Purples (6:11)
(Robert Lamm)
I'm A Man (7:39)
(Steve Winwood / James Miller)
Prologue, August 29, 1968 (0:57)**
(James William Guercio)
Someday (August 29, 1968) (4:13)
(James Pankow / Robert Lamm)
Liberation (14:38)***
(James Pankow)



Chart Information:

Chicago Transit Authority - May 1969 LP Chart Position #17

Question 67 and 68 / Listen
- Columbia Single #4-44909 (July 3, 1969)
- Hot 100 Chart Position #71
Beginnings [edit] / Poem 58 [edit]
- Columbia Single #4-45467 (October 28, 1969)
- Hot 100 Chart Position #7
- Easy Listening Chart Position #1
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? [edit] / Listen
- Columbia Single #4-45264 (November 4, 1970)
- Hot 100 Chart Position #7
- Easy Listening Chart Position #5
Question 67 and 68 [edit] / I'm A Man
- Columbia Single #4-45467 (September 16, 1971)
- Hot 100 Chart Position #24
- Easy Listening Chart Position #34
I'm A Man / Question 67 and 68 [edit]
- Columbia Single #4-45467 (September 16, 1971)
- Hot 100 Chart Position #49

Band Members:

Peter Cetera: bass, vocals
Terry Kath: guitar, vocals
Robert Lamm: keyboard, vocals
Lee Loughnane: trumpet, vocals
James Pankow: trombone
Walter Parazaider: woodwinds, vocals
Daniel Seraphine: drums

Original Production Notes:

Produced by James William Guercio
Engineering by Fred Catero
Recorded & Mixed at Columbia Recording Studios, New York, NY
All Brass Arrangements by James Pankow, with some help from the rest of the boys
Cover art: Nick Fasciano

Poseidon Productions
A Division of James William Guercio Enterprises Incorporated

The selections are BMI.
Engineering: Fred Catero
All brass arrangements by James Pankow with some help from the rest of the boys.

* FREE FORM GUITAR was performed on a Fender Stratocaster guitar through a Showman amplifier equipped with a twin 15 bottom utilizing a Bogan P. A. amplifier as a pre-amp. No electronic gimmicks or effects were used in the recording of this selection, the intent being to capture as faithfully as possible the actual sound of the performance as it occurred.

** PROLOGUE, AUGUST, 29 1968 - Actual recording, Democratic Convention (Chicago, August 29, 1968). Black militants exhorting demonstrators: "God Give Us the Blood to Keep Going"; March begins; Police attempt to disperse marchers; Chant: "The Whole World's Watching.

*** LIBERATION - This track was recorded entirely live. The performance embodied in this recording is complete and uncut.

The name of this endeavor is simply "The Chicago Transit Authority." For the last thirteen months these seven individuals have performed in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco as the CTA. So, if for nothing else than practical logic, they have chosen to title this work appropriately after their professional identity. The purpose of this commentary, however, is an attempt at documenting the complete rejection of any name label, title or verbal reference relative to the performance contained herein. Corporately as well as individually, this artist endeavors to be judged in terms of contribution alone rather than through the tag affixed upon it. The printed word can never aspire to document a truly musical experience, so if you must call them something, speak of the city where all save one were born; where all of them were schooled and bred, and where all of this incredible music went down barely noticed; call them CHICAGO.
--James William Guercio

Rhino Production Notes:

A&R/Project Supervision: Lee Loughnane, David McLees & Gary Peterson
Audio Supervision: Jeff Magid
Remastering: David Donnelly at DNA Studios, Studio City, CA
Product Manager: Mike Engstrom
Liner Notes Coordination: Tim Scanlin
Editorial Supervision: Cory Frye
Editorial Research: Steven Chean
Art Direction: Maria Villar
Design: Amy McFarland & Maria Villar
Additional Photos: Hugh Brown & Michaelochsarchives.com
Project Assistance:Bob O'Neill, Ingrid K. Olson, April Milek, Steve Woolard & Randy Perry
Special Thanks: Emily Simon, Bob Emmer, Lynda Lou Bouch, Laurie Gorman, Malinda Ramirez, David Millman, Nina Avramides, Debbie Aronofsky, Lisa Thomas & Steve Brumbach

Representation:
HK Management
Howard Kaufman & Peter Schivarelli
9200 Sunset Blvd. #530
Los Angeles, CA 90069

Original Issue Columbia #GP-8, April 1969
Rhino Records Re-issue Date: July 16, 2002
Rhino Selection #76161

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THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT SECURED.

Lyrics:

INTRODUCTION

Hey there everybody
Please don't romp or roam
We're a little nervous
'Cause we're so far from home
So this is what we do
Sit back and let us groove
And let us work on you

We've all spent years preparing
before this band was born
With heaven's help it blended
And we do thank the lord.

Now we put you through the changes
And turned around the mood
We hope it's struck you different
And hope you feel moved
So forget about your troubles
As we search for something new
And we play for you

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DOES ANYBODY REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS?

As I was walking down the street one day
A man came up to me and asked me what the time was that was
on my watch, yeah
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no

And I was walking down the street one day
A pretty lady looked at me and said her diamond watch had
stopped cold dead
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no

And I was walking down the street one day
Being pushed and shoved by people trying to beat the clock,
oh, so I just don't know,
I just don't know
And I said, yes I said

Background Vocal:
People runnin' everywhere
Don't know the way to go
Don't know where I am
Can't see past the next step
Don't have to think past the last mile
Have no time to look around
Just run around, run around and think why

Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to die
Oh no, no

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BEGINNINGS

When I'm with you, it doesn't matter where we are,
Or what we're doing. I'm with you, that's all that matters.
Time passes much too quickly when we're together laughing.
I wish I could sing it to you, oh no,
I wish I could sing it to you.
Mostly I'm silent.
Never think about words to say.

When I kiss you, I feel a thousand different feelings.
The color of chills all over my body.
And when I feel them, I quickly try to decide which one
I should try to put into words, oh no,
Try to put into words.
Mostly I'm silent.

Only the beginning of what I want to feel forever.
Only the beginning. Only just the start.
I've got to get you into my life.
Got to get you next to me.
Only the beginning. Only just the start.

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QUESTIONS 67 AND 68

Can this feeling that we have together
Oooh, Suddenly exist between
Did this meeting of our minds together
Oooh, Happen just today, somewhere
I'd like to know,
Can you tell me -- please don't tell me
It really doesn't matter anyhow
It's just that the thought of us so happy
Appears in my mind, as a beautifully mysterious thing

Was your image in my mind so deeply
Was your image in my mind so deeply
Oooh, other places fade away
blocking memories of unhappy hours
Oooh, Leavin' just a burnin' love
I'd like to know,
I'd like to know,
Can you tell me -- please don't tell me
It really doesn't matter anyhow
It's just that the thought of us so happy
Appears in my mind, as a beautifully mysterious thing
Yes it does now baby

Can this lovin' we have found within us
Oooh, Suddenly exist between
Did we somehow try to make it happen
Oooh, Was it just a natural thing
I'd like to know,
Can you tell me -- please don't tell me
It really doesn't matter anyhow
It's just that the thought of us so happy
Appears in my mind, as a beautifully mysterious thing
Yes it does now baby
Questions 67 and 68.

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LISTEN

Listen,
If you think that we're here for the money
You couldn't be right, you know(owowow)
But the bread is not too good here
It could be so natural
I said all you got to do is listen

Listen,
If you don't hear what you can tell us
If it's good you can tell us all
Or you can smile, that's alright my friend
It could be so nice, you know
If only you would listen

Listen,
If you don't understand it, no no no no
You got to try to fly
And don't you put me down, please
For creating beyond your mind
I said all you got to do is listen

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POEM 58 (8:37)

The way you talk
The things you've done
Make me wish I
Was the only one
Who
Could ever have made you laugh now
Could have made you
Made you want want to cry
To have been there the day
You first whispered "I love you"
Yes I love you

When you discover
All those new things
And when you first
First met the world
When you felt beautiful
And you said hello(owowow)
To everything you saw
If I could have been all
So I could have known you all those times
I love you
Yes, I love you
Yes I do

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FREE FORM GUITAR

*Instrumental*

SOUTH CALIFORNIA PURPLES

Cloudy every morning
Sun don't never shine
Cloudy every morning
Sun don't ever shine
Since I lost my baby
I been losing my mind

I thought this was a warm place
I must be in the wrong place
Thought this was a warm place
I must be in the wrong place
And I don't know where I'm going
Since my lover left me
Never no smile on my face

I am he is you are he is you are me and we are all together, woah woah

Buddy, this ain't LA
I've travelled such a long way
Buddy, this ain't LA
I've travelled such a long way
And I still don't know where I'm going
But without my baby
I better not stay
I better not stay, no ow woah no

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I'M A MAN

Well my pad is very messy, got whiskers on my chin
Never had no problems 'cause I've always paid the rent
I got no time for lovin'
Cause my time is all used up
I stand outside creatin'
All the groovy kinds of love
I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Oh baby
I'm a man, yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yes I am

If I had my choice of matter
I'd would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter,
Showing where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How strong the love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Oooh, I'm a man, yes I am
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I love to hear you talk

I've got to keep my image
While I'm standing on the floor
If I drop upon my knees
It's just to keep them on my nose
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I've never had no problems
And my body's pretty strong

I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yes I know
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Oooh
Man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Good god I love you so, love you so

If I had my choice of matter
I would rather be with cats
All engrossed in mental chatter
Knowin' where your mind is at
While relating to each other
How good a love can be
By resisting all the good times with each groovy chick we see

I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yes I am
I'm a man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
Yeah, yeah yeah. I'm a
Man yes I am and I can't help but love you so
I'm a man, ooh yes I am

I gotta keep my image
While I'm standin on the floor
If I drop upon my knees (?)
?
You think that I'm not human
And my heart is made of stone
But I never had no problems
And my body's pretty strong

I'm a
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Owww.. I'm A
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so
Man, yes I am, and I can't help but love you so

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PROLOGUE, AUGUST 29, 1968

**- See Producer's Notes **

SOMEDAY (AUGUST 29, 1968)

Would you look around you now
And tell me what you see
Faces full of hate and fear
Faces full of me
Do you feel the rumblings
As your head comes crumbling down
Do you know what I mean

Run, you better, run you know
The End is getting near
Feel the wind of something hard
Come whistling past your ear
As they try to get you
Where it will upset you
Down
Now you know what I mean

Someday you will see how long
We've waited for the time
To show you how we've died
To get together with you all

Twist and turn your head around
'Till everything's unclear
Twist and turn your arm around
Until it is not there
And they'd love to burn you
Or at least to turn you around
Now you know what I mean

Can you look around you now
And tell us what's to be
Can you look inside yourself
And tell us what you see
As you feel the rumblings
As your head comes crumbling down
And you know what I mean
Someday you will see how long
We've been waiting for the time
To show you how we've died
To get together with you all

LIBERATION