Feelin’ Stronger Every Day

The Zoo Crew is spinning the uplifting track Feelin’ Stronger Every Day by Chicago from their 1973 album Chicago VI, and Zoo Freaks, this one’s packed with stories! Written by Peter Cetera and James Pankow, the song captures both personal healing and the band’s soaring success. In a 1991 interview, Cetera shared that while the lyrics reflect moving on after a relationship’s end, they also mirror Chicago’s dynamic wave of triumphs during this era, with Chicago VI hitting #1 on the US album charts, their second chart-topping album. The song’s energetic vibe peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and fans on Reddit rave about its high-gear kick, calling it a pump-up anthem. A fan named Chuck from South Fork, Colorado, posted on Songfacts about seeing Chicago perform it live for the first time as the final encore at a 1973 Atlanta concert with Steely Dan, describing it as an “awesome” moment. Some eagle-eared listeners, like John from Montreal on Songfacts, claim to hear spontaneous shouts of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash, it’s a gas, gas, gas” in the song’s closing choruses, a nod to the Rolling Stones that doesn’t appear in official lyrics, adding a playful mystery.

Delving deeper, the song’s recording marked a shift for Chicago. Chicago VI was the first album recorded at producer James William Guercio’s newly built Caribou Studios in Colorado, a change from their usual New York sessions. Posted on Facebook, band member Robert Lamm once noted music’s healing power, saying it “takes us away from our troubles,” a sentiment that resonates with the song’s optimistic drive. Fans have speculated about hidden lyrics, with some, like Gcm from Charlotte on Songfacts, swearing Cetera sings “the worst thing that happened to me” in the final verse, though official lyrics don’t confirm it. This track also holds a special place for its live performances, like the one at the 2023 A Capitol Fourth event on PBS, where Chicago delivered what was called a “moving ballad of hope and resolve.”

Now, let’s rewind to how Chicago got rolling. Formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, the band started as The Big Thing, a group of DePaul University students led by Walter Parazaider (saxophone), Terry Kath (guitar), Danny Seraphine (drums), James Pankow (trombone), Lee Loughnane (trumpet), and Robert Lamm (keyboards). Peter Cetera joined soon after as bassist and vocalist. They blended rock with jazz and horns, a fresh sound inspired by big bands and soul music. Renamed Chicago Transit Authority after their 1969 debut album, they shortened it to Chicago after legal pushback from the actual transit authority. Their early days were gritty, playing local clubs and perfecting their complex arrangements. Producer Guercio signed them, and their double-LP debut, Chicago Transit Authority, went platinum, spawning hits like Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?. By the early ‘70s, they were a juggernaut, with five consecutive #1 albums, including Chicago VI.

Chicago’s still rocking today, with a legacy spanning over five decades. You can catch up with them on their official website, where they share tour dates and news. Follow their vibrant posts on Facebook, check out their tour photos and fan shots on Instagram, and join their conversations with Zoo Freaks on X. Fans gather at places like the Chicago Fans Worldwide Facebook group, a lively spot with over 8,000 members sharing memories and concert pics. Another fan hub, Chicago The Band Fan Site, offers discographies and forums for diehards. Whether you’re grooving to Feelin’ Stronger Every Day or diving into their catalog, Chicago’s story is one of resilience and killer tunes.