25 or 6 to 4

Hey, Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning the classic "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago from their 1970 album Chicago II, and we’ve got some wild trivia to share! Written by keyboardist Robert Lamm, this track captures the struggle of writing a song in the wee hours, specifically at 3:34 or 3:35 a.m.—hence the title, which refers to 25 or 26 minutes to four. Lamm crafted the tune on a 12-string guitar missing its two low E strings, giving it a unique jangle, and he wrote the lyrics in a single day while gazing out over Los Angeles from a Hollywood Hills house above the Whisky a Go Go. The band first rehearsed it at that iconic venue, and it became a staple of their live shows, often closing performances with its high-energy horn section and blistering guitar solo by Terry Kath, which Jimi Hendrix himself praised. Fun fact: the song was banned in Singapore in 1970 for alleged drug references, a claim Lamm debunked, insisting it’s purely about the creative process. The ban was lifted in 1993, alongside restrictions on songs by the Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Despite its clear lyrical intent, "25 or 6 to 4" sparked plenty of speculation. Some fans theorized the title referenced LSD or quaaludes, with myths suggesting it described a drug trip’s duration from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Lamm laughed off these ideas, but the song’s kaleidoscopic energy and cryptic title fueled the rumors. Its iconic descending riff, often called "The Riff," has been compared to chord progressions in Led Zeppelin’s "Babe I’m Gonna Leave You" and Green Day’s "Brain Stew," though Chicago recorded it in August 1969, after Zeppelin’s track but before Green Day’s. The song’s nearly two-minute wah-wah guitar solo by Kath, paired with Peter Cetera’s vocals—recorded while his jaw was wired shut from a brawl at Dodger Stadium—helped it climb to number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It’s also a marching band favorite, ranked by the Omaha World-Herald in 2018 as the top marching band song ever, and Chicago even joined the Notre Dame Marching Band in 2017 to perform it on the field.

Chicago got its start in 1967 as The Big Thing, a group of DePaul University students in Chicago, Illinois, blending rock, jazz, and soul. Founding members included Walter Parazaider (saxophone), Terry Kath (guitar), Danny Seraphine (drums), James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), and Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals). They added bassist Peter Cetera later that year, drawn by his vocals after he left his band, The Exceptions. Initially called Chicago Transit Authority, they released their debut double album in 1969, which mixed experimental rock with their signature horn section. After the real Chicago Transit Authority threatened legal action, they shortened their name to Chicago. Their second album, Chicago II, propelled them to mainstream success with hits like "25 or 6 to 4" and "Make Me Smile," earning three Grammy nominations. The band’s fusion of styles and relentless touring built a massive following, and they’ve since sold over 100 million records, with 21 Top 10 singles and 25 platinum albums.

Still rocking after decades, Chicago remains active with original members Lamm, Loughnane, and Pankow, though Kath tragically died in 1978, and Cetera left in 1985. You can catch up with them on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwback posts. Fans, or Zoo Freaks in our case, can dive deeper at the official Chicago website for tour dates and merch. For community vibes, check out fan-driven spaces like the Chicago – The Band Fans Facebook group, where devotees swap stories, setlists, and vinyl finds. Keep grooving to that brass-powered sound, and let’s give a shoutout to the Chicago legacy!