Chicago (1970 song)

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"Chicago" is a song written by Graham Nash. The song was initially recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young on their live album, Four Way Street, taped in 1970 and released in April 1971. It was (and is) common practice for CSNY members to preview solo songs at CSNY concerts. A studio version was then released in May 1971 on Nash's first solo album, Songs for Beginners; this version reached #35 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song refers to both the riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, as well as the trial of the Chicago Eight, where protesters at the convention were charged with intent to incite a riot. The first line of the song: "Though your brother's bound and gagged, and they've chained him to a chair" refers to Bobby Seale, the only black defendant, who was actually gagged and bound to a chair in the courtroom following repeated outbursts. On Four Way Street, Nash dedicates the song to "Mayor Daley".

The line "Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing" refers to Nash pleading with bandmates Stephen Stills and Neil Young to come to Chicago to protest the Chicago Eight trial.