| Composer | Fred Fisher |
| Lyricist | Fred Fisher |
| Year Written | 1922 |
About This Song
The song “Chicago” was written in 1922 by Fred Fisher. It’s ubiquitous with the great city of Chicago and has been used for years in films about Chicago, including one my favorites, the 1942 movie Roxie Hart, which served as the basis for the Kander and Ebb musical Chicago. It’s been widely recorded by many artists of many generations, including Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Anita O’Day, Quintet of the Hot Club of France, and Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra.
View lyrics
Chicago, Chicago, that toddling town
Chicago, Chicago, I will show you around, I love it
Bet your bottom dollar you’ll lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago
The town that Billy Sunday could not shut down
On State Street, that great street, I just want to say
They do things they don’t do on Broadway
They have the time, the time of their life
I saw a man, he danced with his wife
In Chicago, Chicago, my hometown
Recordings
1959
Tony Bennett recorded “Chicago” on January 5, 1959. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement.
13476
Release History
| 1959 | Emus Records LP 12″: ES-12026 — Strike Up The Band |
| 1961 | Roulette LP 12″: R/SR-25072 — Basie Swings, Bennett Sings |
| 1961 | Roulette LP 12″: SR 25231 — Bennett & Basie – Strike Up The Band |
1963 to current
| 1963 | Roulette LP 12″: R/SR-25231 — Strike Up the Band |
| 1966 | Allegro LP 12″: ALLR 799 — A One Night Stand! [UK] |
| 1969 | Saga Eros LP 12″: EROS 8076 — Tony Bennett and Count Basie |
| 1981 | Reactivation LP 12″: JR 149 — Bennett & Basie [UK] |
| 1987 | Roulette CD: RCD 59021 — Strike Up the Band |
| 1987 | Pickwick CD: PWK 032 — Count Basie Featuring Tony Bennett |
| 1990 | Roulette Jazz CD: CDP 7 93899 2 — Basie/Bennett |
| 1990 | Roulette CD: B2-93899 — Basie Swings, Bennett Sings |
| 1995 | DCC CD: DZS 004 — Chicago |
| 1995 | Garland CD: 21 — Chicago |
| 1999 | St.Clair CD: 5731 — Forever Gold |
| 1997 | Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony |
| 1997 | St.Clair CD: STCR 52282 — Forever Gold: Tony Bennett & Friends |
| 2002 | Prestige Elite CD: 220 — Chicago |
| 2007 | Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony |
| 2007 | St.Clair CD: STCR 52282 — Forever Gold: Tony Bennett & Friends |
| 2008 | Jasmine CD: JASCD482 — Together At Last/A Perfect Combination |
| 2011 | Columbia: The Columbia Collection — Disc 13— Basie Swings/Bennett Sings |
1962
Tony Bennett recorded “Chicago” live on June 9, 1962, at Carnegie Hall. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement and conducted the orchestra.
Release History
| 1997 | Columbia C2K 64609 — Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall: The Complete Concert |
| 2011 | Columbia: The Complete Collection — Discs 24 and 25 — Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall |