'' is the tenth
Album by
American Rock band
Chicago and was released in
1976 . The album is notable for its soulfulness, and it ended up being a turning point in the band's career thanks to one song.
After recording ''
Chicago VIII '' in a state of tiredness, Chicago didn't return to record until the
Spring of 1976, feeling refreshed after a substantial break away. While making ''Chicago X'', the band felt satisfied that they were making a solid record, yet the feeling - especially with producer
James William Guercio - was that there may be a paucity of hits on the album.
Robert Lamm 's "Another Rainy Day In New York City",
Terry Kath 's "Once Or Twice" and
James Pankow 's "You Are On My Mind" were both strong enough to be singles, but Guercio was keen to include
Peter Cetera 's outstanding new composition, "
If You Leave Me Now " on ''Chicago X''. Although the others really liked the song, they felt that it was completely out of place in style as a romantic ballad with strings (a correct observation, according to most reviewers) and should not be alloted a place on the album. However, as producer, Guercio overruled them and included it and when it became the band's first #1 hit in the US and UK, it completely changed the public's perception of Chicago, leading to more demand to feature Cetera and the ballads. Lamm and Kath, in particular, were uncomfortable with this turn of events, and it led to a growing dissatisfaction with Guercio's control over the band, contributing to his impending
1977 dismissal.
''Chicago X'' was released in June 1976 to a receptive audience, especially after "If You Leave Me Now" had become such a big worldwide hit, giving Chicago their first UK chart album in years, reaching #21, though, oddly, it missed #1 in the US, resting at #3.
In early
1977 , ''Chicago X'' would win three
Grammy Award s; two for "If You Leave Me Now" and one for
John Berg 's trademark artwork.
In
2002 , ''Chicago X'' was remastered and reissued by
Rhino Records with an early rendition of ''
Chicago XIV '''s "I'd Rather Be Rich" by Lamm, in addition to Kath's "Your Love's An Attitude" - both cut in
1975 - as bonus tracks.
#"Once Or Twice" (
Terry Kath ) - 3:01
#"You Are On My Mind" (
James Pankow ) - 3:24
- ''Pankow's lead vocal debut.''
#"Skin Tight" (James Pankow) - 3:20
#"
If You Leave Me Now " (
Peter Cetera ) - 3:58
#"Together Again" (
Lee Loughnane ) - 3:53
#"Another Rainy Day In New York City" (
Robert Lamm ) - 3:03
#"Mama Mama" (Peter Cetera) - 3:31
#"Scrapbook" (Robert Lamm) - 3:28
#"Gently I'll Wake You" (Robert Lamm) - 3:36
#"You Get It Up" (Robert Lamm) - 3:34
- ''Sung by the entire band in unison -- thus the atypical crediting of Seraphine, Parazaider & deOliveira with "vocals".''
#"Hope For Love" (Terry Kath) - 3:04
''Chicago X'' (Columbia 34200) reached in the US during a chart stay of 44 weeks. It also peaked at '''#21''' in the UK.
- David J. Wolinski - Piano and Mellotron on "Hope For Love"
- James William Guercio - Acoustic Guitar and bass on "If You Leave Me Now"; guitar on "Hope For Love"
- Othello Molineaux - Steel Drums on "Another Rainy Day In New York City"
- Leroy Williams - steel drums on "Another Rainy Day In New York City"
- Jimmie Haskell - string and French Horn orchestration on "If You Leave Me Now"; string conductor on "Gently I'll Wake You"
