About the song
Paper Lace, a British pop group known for their harmonies and nostalgic sound, released “The Night Chicago Died” as a timeless doo-wop ballad. This haunting and evocative song, released in 1974, became a hit single and a defining track for the band’s iconic sound.
With their smooth vocals and nostalgic harmonies, Paper Lace explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Through introspective lyrics and the band’s emotive performance, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences and emotions.
The opening lines, “The night Chicago died, a love affair did too,” immediately establish the song’s subject and set a melancholic tone. The lyrics continue to explore the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The song’s refrain, “The night Chicago died, my heart went dead too,” conveys a sense of deep sadness and longing.
Throughout the song, Paper Lace’s harmonies and nostalgic sound create a captivating and immersive listening experience. The band’s use of doo-wop influences and their ability to evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia make this song a timeless classic.
“The Night Chicago Died” is more than just a popular song; it is a cultural touchstone that has influenced countless artists and generations of music fans. The song’s haunting melody and introspective lyrics continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless and enduring piece of music history.
Video
Lyrics
Daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago
Back in the USA, back in the bad old days
In the heat of a summer night
In the land of the dollar bill
When the town of Chicago died
And they talk about it still
When a man named Al Capone
Tried to make that town his own
And he called his gang to war
With the forces of the law
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night it really was
Brother, what a fight it really was
Glory be
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night the people saw
Brother, what a fight the people saw
Yes, indeed
And the sound of the battle rang
Through the streets of the old east side
‘Til the last of the hoodlum gang
Had surrendered up or died
There was shouting in the street
And the sound of running feet
And I asked someone who said
“‘Bout a hundred cops are dead!”
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night it really was
Brother, what a fight it really was
Glory be
I heard my mama cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night the people saw
Brother, what a fight the people saw
Yes, indeed
Then there was no sound at all
But the clock up on the wall
Then the door burst open wide
And my daddy stepped inside
And he kissed my mama’s face
And he brushed her tears away
The night Chicago died
(Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother, what a night the people saw
Brother, what a fight the people saw
Yes, indeed
The night Chicago died
(Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother, what a night it really was
Brother, what a fight it really was
Glory be
The night Chicago died
(Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw