You'll recognize this song when you hear it, but do you know what it's really about? The band's signature single Chicago « 25 or 6 to 4 »" has become the source of countless conspiracy theories, from gambling predictions to psychedelic drug codes, but dig a little and you'll discover the meaning of this uplifting, brassy rock song is as mundane as telling time.
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The special was filmed in Chicago at the Caribou Ranch near Nederland, Colorado. Pictured left to right: James Pankow, Lee Loughnan, and Robert Lamm, August 1974. Photo: Denver Post, Getty Images.
«"The song '25 or 6 to 4' is about songwriting," says the Chicago trombonist. James Pankow в Backstage With Joe Chambers interview в In 2018 , as reported American Songwriter . "Robert lay on the floor of his Hollywood Hills home, looking out over Los Angeles just before dawn. He hadn't slept all night.".
«The "Robert" Pankov was talking about is, of course, Robert Lamm , the band's keyboardist and vocalist. And he indeed confirmed Pankov's explanation. The song's title refers to the early hours of the morning, specifically 3:35 AM (25 minutes to 4) or 3:34 am (26 minutes to 4) when Lamm was struggling with creative block.
«"I lived with a group of hippies above the Sunset Strip," he said on the program. «The Chris Isaak Hour »", as reported by Songfacts . «One of the great things about this house was that it was in the Hollywood Hills, and I could look out over the city late at night. I wanted to try to describe the writing process of a song I was writing. So, «Waiting for the dawn / Searching for something to say / Flashes of light against the sky»—there was a neon sign across town. That song came from the fact that it was 11:05 or 6:00 a.m. when I looked at my watch. I was searching for a line to finish the chorus.».
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The band Chicago is known for calling itself "« rock and roll band with brass instruments »"," and their unique sound is a blend of jazz, rock, brass, progressive rock, and pop. Their repertoire includes a wide range of ballads, soft rock, R&B, and soulful Motown-style hits. So when Lamm said he brought his band the core of a song, and they transformed it into a masterpiece, that's exactly what happened.
«"There was definitely a lot of raw material," he said. "When I wrote the lyrics, I thought it was a song, and I brought the notes to rehearsal, but it only really became a song after everyone performed it.".
The result was an instant rock classic, where Lamm played on the organ and performed vocal parts in the verses, Peter Cetera was responsible for the soaring lead vocals and brass instruments, Terry Kat played the guitar and performed an amazing solo, and James Pankow played the trombone, Lee Loughnan - on the pipe, and Walter Parazaider - on saxophone and flute.
According to data AS и Billboard , this symphonic improvisation became the group’s calling card and concluded its concert performances.
«Besides the thunderous brass sounds, Kat delivered an unforgettable performance,” wrote Billboard publication , "She unleashed a crushing hard rock hell on the listener in this composition, accompanied by Cetera's energetic, soaring vocals. This was a full-band performance, one of the greatest big band rock groups of all time.".
Since the single's release June 1970 The anthem has become an integral part of pop culture, appearing in everything from movies, TV shows, commercials, and video games. AS also noted that it is a popular choice for school orchestras.
Despite the fact that the song did not take first place , it became the first single of the group Chicago , which reached the top 5 of the chart Hot 100 (4th place), and the group's longest-lasting hit, and Billboard He even called the orchestral composition the best in the band's history.
«There's a reason Chicago has chosen '25 or 6 to 4' as the closing number at virtually every concert this century, including the brilliant inclusion of to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame [in 2016]: It's the band's greatest song, an embodiment of the rock 'n' roll, soul and brass sound that has brought this sprawling outfit immeasurable success over the past 50 years.".
See also: The 1972 soft rock classic, inspired by great loss, became a timeless anthem of love.
This article was originally published by Parade on June 4, 2026, in the Entertainment section. Add Parade to your list of recommended sources by clicking here.