There are some songs that should speak for themselves and this would be a prime example. In January of 1973 I picked Chicago’s “Beginnings” as my 3rd most favorite song of the 5 years between 1968 and 1972 and I would still rank it in my top 10 songs of the rock era. Off the original Chicago Transit Authority LP, it’s album version was a wonderful 7 minutes and 55 seconds long with a great percussion and horn center.  The 3 minute and 14 second single edit that was the second single from the album failed to chart  but it was re-released in 1971 with “Colour My World”, the single reached #7. Robert Lamm wrote the song and sings the lead on it. Terry Kath plays the distinctive  guitar on the recording.

For years I campaigned for Chicago to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Two years ago that dream became a reality. The group who put a horn section in the forefront, leaders along with Blood, Sweat & Tears (the performers on one of the two songs I placed ahead of this on my list mentioned above), and Lighthouse, in the use of the horns.

One more video of a live version recorded for Soundstage in 2003