Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the classic track "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" by Chicago from their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority, for all you Zoo Freaks out there. This song, written and sung by Robert Lamm, was the first tune the band recorded for their 1969 debut, a sprawling double LP that clocked in at nearly 80 minutes—a bold move for a new act. According to Walter Parazaider, the band initially tried to cut it live in the studio, all playing at once, but they quickly realized they were in over their heads. They ended up laying down drums, bass, keyboards, and guitars first, then adding horns and vocals later. The result? A jazzy, philosophical bop that hit No. 7 on the U.S. charts and No. 2 in Canada when released as a single in 1970, after "Make Me Smile" and "25 or 6 to 4" had already put Chicago on the map.

The song’s lyrics, inspired by Lamm’s musings on time and society’s obsession with it, strike a chord with the Zoo Freaks’ laid-back vibe. Picture this: Lamm strolling down the street, shrugging off a guy asking for the time with, “Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?” It’s got that free-spirited, question-everything energy the Crew loves. Fun fact: the original album version kicks off with a trippy, free-form piano solo by Lamm, and there’s a spoken verse buried in the final mix—details that make it a gem for vinyl heads. The track’s quirky charm even got a nod in Adam Sandler’s Little Nicky, where it’s jokingly played backward for fake Satanic messages. And get this—Chicago’s own social media posts, like one from @chicagotheband on April 28, 2024, celebrate the album’s 55th anniversary, noting its record-breaking 171 weeks on the Billboard charts and double-platinum status.

Chicago got its start in the Windy City back in 1967, when a group of DePaul University music majors—saxophonist Walter Parazaider, trumpeter Lee Loughnane, and trombonist James Pankow—teamed up with local bar-band vets keyboardist Robert Lamm, drummer Danny Seraphine, and guitarist Terry Kath. They later recruited bassist Peter Cetera from a rival outfit, The Exceptions, to beef up their sound. Calling themselves The Big Thing at first, they played Top 40 covers in Chicago clubs before moving to Los Angeles in 1968 and renaming themselves Chicago Transit Authority. Their big break came from regular gigs at the Whisky a Go Go, where they caught the eye of producer James William Guercio and opened for legends like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Hendrix himself reportedly raved to Parazaider, “Your horn players are like one set of lungs, and your guitarist is better than me.” Legal pressure from the real Chicago Transit Authority forced the name change to Chicago in 1969, just as their debut album dropped.

That first album, a fusion of rock, jazz, and soul, wasn’t an instant hit but gained traction on FM radio, eventually selling over a million copies. The band’s horn-heavy sound set them apart, paving the way for acts like Earth, Wind & Fire and Steely Dan. Over the years, Chicago evolved, leaning into pop ballads in the ‘80s, but their early experimental edge remains a fan favorite. You can keep up with them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For the Zoo Freaks who can’t get enough, check out fan communities like the Chicago Fan Club on Facebook or dive into discussions on the Chicago subreddit. Keep it groovy, Zoo Crew!