Story Behind The Song
I grew up in Chicago and loved the blues. Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, BB King, Buddy Guy, Paul Butterfield, Otis Span, John Lee Hooker ....and on and on...I had ALL their records.
When I started touring in the 1960's, 70's and 80's and had the opportunity to open and tour with artists like BB King and John Lee Hooker and others, it was a great honor. When I did a stint as the solo-opening act for BB King and John Lee Hooker, they both came to me and told me how much they LOVED this song.
My early bands played a lot of different types of music, but the blues was always a part of our shows.
I wrote this song as a testament to all the people from Chicago, past and present, black and white and brown, male and female, who celebrate the blues in all its forms.
I hope you enjoy the song!
Song Description
TOP TEN-BLUES
TOP TEN-BLUES: CHICAGO
TOP TEN-RURAL: BLUES
#1 Blues
#1 Blues-Chicago
#1 Blues-Rural
| Song Length |
4:04 |
Genre |
Blues - Modern, Blues - Modern |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Cheerful |
Subject |
Pride, History, Past |
| Similar Artists |
Eric Clapton, B.B. King |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
"I Come From Chicago"
Words and Music by Chet Nichols * Copyright 1964/2001/2015/2023 by Chet Nichols (ASCA) & Magic Garage Music (ASCAP)
MagicGarageMusic@gmail.com * www.chetnichols.net
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CHORUS
Now, I come from Chicago
That's where we play the blues
Yes, I come from Chicago
That's where we play the blues
People came from Mississippi
They brought Chicago the good news
VERSE 1.
Mothers and Fathers
Packed up their old Oldsmobiles
Looking for a better life
Far from the broiling delta fields
Chicago looked like paradise
Through those broken window shields
Repeat CHORUS
VERSE 2.
From the delta came the slide guitar
And, Lord, they played it right
The blues was the backbone
That kept them playing through the night
Singing about lonely moments
Money, lovers, and fights
Repeat CHORUS
BRIDGE
There's a rumble in the alley
You can hear the blues moan
Listen to the backbeat
And the rolling undertones
Sounds like thunder beating down the doors
Makes you want to stand and scream, "More, more, more!"
Repeat CHORUS
Dedicated to the memory of Mark "The Blues Cannon" Hannon, Tom Peck, Jeff Weinstein and Wayne Welch.