Dialogue (Part I & II)
Encyclopedia
"Dialogue" is a song written by Robert Lamm
for the group Chicago
and recorded for their album Chicago V
(1972). On the album the song is over 7 minutes long and is divided into two tracks. An edited version of the song was released as a single in October 1972, eventually reaching #24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
.
In Part I, the song's lyrics are a dialogue
between two young people with different views. The first person (whose lines are sung by Terry Kath
) is very concerned about events of the early 1970s, such as war, starvation, and "repression... closing in around." The second person (whose lines are sung by Peter Cetera
) maintains that "everything is fine." Musically, the song is also a dialogue between Terry Kath's rhythm guitar and Peter Cetera's bass, which is all the more interesting as the songwriting credit went to keyboardist Robert Lamm. As Part I comes to a close, Terry Kath's character embraces the other character's worldview, saying "you know you really eased my mind; / I was troubled by the shapes of things to come." The response: "Well, if you had my outlook your feelings would be numb - you'd always think that everything was fine"
Part II contains more optimistic lyrics sung by the whole band, including "we can make it better" and "we can change the world now" and points the way by noting "we can save the children."
Robert Lamm
Robert William Lamm is an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter who came to fame as a founding member of the pop rock band Chicago...
for the group Chicago
Chicago (band)
Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
and recorded for their album Chicago V
Chicago V
Chicago V is the fourth studio album by American rock band Chicago and was released in 1972. It is notable for being the group's first single full-length release, after having released three consecutive double albums and a box set of live material.-History:Following the release of Chicago III in...
(1972). On the album the song is over 7 minutes long and is divided into two tracks. An edited version of the song was released as a single in October 1972, eventually reaching #24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
In Part I, the song's lyrics are a dialogue
Dialogue
Dialogue is a literary and theatrical form consisting of a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people....
between two young people with different views. The first person (whose lines are sung by Terry Kath
Terry Kath
Terry Alan Kath , born in Chicago, Illinois, was the original guitarist and founding member of the rock band Chicago...
) is very concerned about events of the early 1970s, such as war, starvation, and "repression... closing in around." The second person (whose lines are sung by Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
) maintains that "everything is fine." Musically, the song is also a dialogue between Terry Kath's rhythm guitar and Peter Cetera's bass, which is all the more interesting as the songwriting credit went to keyboardist Robert Lamm. As Part I comes to a close, Terry Kath's character embraces the other character's worldview, saying "you know you really eased my mind; / I was troubled by the shapes of things to come." The response: "Well, if you had my outlook your feelings would be numb - you'd always think that everything was fine"
Part II contains more optimistic lyrics sung by the whole band, including "we can make it better" and "we can change the world now" and points the way by noting "we can save the children."