Examining “Saturday In The Park”, One of Chicago’s Most Buoyant Hits

There was a middle-ground era for Chicago, even if it was a bit short-lived. Early on, they were known for elaborate song suites that utilized their horn section to maximum effect. Later, they’d become power balladeers supreme.

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In between, they found their way by combining a little bit of their ambitious early strategy with the more succinct, radio-friendly material of later years. Their 1972 smash single “Saturday In The Park” epitomizes this period.

Singles-Oriented

Once the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago became one of the biggest American music success stories of the late 60s and early 70s. The horn players included in the band added something different from the typical rock band approach. It allowed them to try out ornate arrangements that enthralled fans who adored instrumental dexterity.

But these guys were also sharp songwriters. That allowed them to break up the longer pieces of music on their albums with smaller bits that could be carved out as singles. Still, Chicago started their career in a very ambitious fashion. Their first three studio releases were all double albums.

Perhaps they sensed that there was a growing market looking for the softer side of rock. The band decided that their fourth album, titled Chicago V (it’s a long story), would be condensed to a single disc. And it would focus on a more song-oriented approach, rather than jamming. They introduced that album to the world in 1972 with a sparkling single called “Saturday In The Park”.

“Park” Life

Like much of Chicago’s early material, “Saturday In The Park” came from the songwriting pen of Robert Lamm, the band’s keyboardist. For many years, the story was told that the song emanated from an actual 4^th of July spent in Central Park.

Lamm later contradicted that. He insisted that he had made some homemade films out of a few different Central Park visits. Watching the footage, he began to jot down some images and recollections. In any case, his indelible piano riff immediately grabs your attention.

“Saturday In The Park” features a moment that has confused fans over the years. Following the line “singing Italian songs,” Lamm appears to be singing gibberish lines. But a closer listen reveals that he’s actually singing the lyrics to an Italian song from the 50s, which makes sense considering the previous line.

Examining the Lyrics of “Saturday In The Park”

Robert Lamm manages to capture all the sights and sounds of a “Saturday In The Park”, even the ones that might only be noticed by those tripping. That would explain these bizarre, vibrant lines in the bridge: “Slow motion riders fly the colours of the day / A bronze man still can tell his stories his own way.”

Lamm connects this blissful scene to the movement espousing peace and love that was prevalent at the time of the song’s release. “Will you help him change the world?” he asks. “Can you dig it?”

“I’ve been waiting for such a long time / For Saturday,” he insists. We’re guessing that Robert Lamm wasn’t necessarily referencing a specific “Saturday In The Park” with this song. Instead, he was simply trying to evoke a feeling of community and harmony, one that Chicago’s effervescent music naturally engenders.

Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images