25 or 6 to 4: Difference between revisions

"25 or 6 to 4" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the rock band Chicago. It was recorded for their second album Chicago (1970) with Peter Cetera on lead vocals. The song was edited and released as a single in June of that year, climbing to #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. This recording features an electric guitar solo using a wah-wah pedal by Chicago guitarist Terry Kath, and has been included in numerous Chicago compilation albums.

An updated version of "25 or 6 to 4" was recorded for the 1986 album Chicago 18 with James Pankow listed as co-writer. Featuring new band member Jason Scheff on lead vocals, the single reached #48 on the U.S. chart. This version was also used as the B-side for the band's 1988 single "What Kind Of Man Would I Be?"

Chicago fans have long argued about the meaning of the song. At the time it was released, there was speculation that the lyrics were drug related; but the same thing was said about many songs in the late 1960s and early 1970s and the rumor has been largely dismissed. ^[1] Lamm himself says that the title is "just a reference to the time of day," and that "the song is about writing a song. It's not mystical." ^[2] The time of day in reference is 3:35 AM (or 3:34 AM), which would then be 25 (or 26) minutes to 4 AM.

This song has been covered by multiple bands, including Straitjacket, Local H, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.