Chicago Lyrics
More together than alone
From the hill, we saw it rain on the town over
Torch to your chin lights your cheekbones
In that moment, I saw a likeness to our father
[Refrain]
In American Night, on that hill
In the night
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 2]
Pulled back to the night before
When the TV lit our brilliant, smiling faces
Torch hits your face before the fall
Panic in the eye is similar to breaking horses
[Interlude]
(An apparition lifts me up!)
[Verse 3]
An apparition lifts me up
From its shoulders, I sit and see your face above the tree line
Your reassurances, subtitled in American English
I am calm as we sail down the hillside
In American Night, on that hill
In the night
About
“Chicago” is a brew of equal parts menacing and spectral energies that seamlessly blends euphoric Chicago House beats with surprising shifts in tone. The song captivates the attention with its two-part structure, transitioning from a finger-picked lullaby to a thrumming, almost-techno track.
Lyrically, the song paints a picture of the last memories shared by two siblings before a disaster. Lyrics convey a sense of unity and togetherness, highlighting the strength found in companionship.
House music originated in Chicago in the early 1980s, spearheaded by a collective of Black American DJs who drew influence from disco and hip-hop. Among the notable pioneers and influential figures in early house music were Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Mr. Lee, Jesse Saunders, J.M. Silk (also known as Jack Master Silk), Chip E., Farley “Jackmaster” Funk, Marshall Jefferson, and Larry Heard (also known as Mr. Fingers). (Source: MasterClass)
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
It’s two songs stitched together. There was once a plan for the verses section to be put into ‘Happier When You’re Gone’, and then the Chicago clubhouse vibe is a jam that we had in Chicago. It’s one of the songs where I’m like, ‘Oh, we’re still really doing interesting work.’ I think we’ve opened a window there. There was a lyric I had for a long time: ‘I can see it rain on the town over.’ I always like the imagery of being somewhere at such a distance, you can see a whole town, and you can see a weather system affecting that town, but you are not being affected—how dramatic and poignant that is. I then followed this narrative of a brother and a sister hiking, and something happening and one of them falls to their death, but you are not sure whether it’s being witnessed or being experienced.
- 1.Bane
- 2.U&ME
- 5.The Actor
- 6.Get Better
- 7.Chicago
- 8.Philadelphia
- 9.Walk a Mile
- 10.Delta
- 11.Losing My Mind
- 12.Powders
