Chicago

Album: Xscape (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was originally titled "She Was Lovin' Me" when Jackson first recorded it at New York City's Hit Factory in 1999. It was earmarked for his 2001 album Invincible but didn't make the cut.
  • According to CNN, Jackson recorded the song from a demo he received from New York songwriter Cory Rooney, who would go on to produce several of Jennifer Lopez's hit tunes, including "Jenny From The Block" and "Play." He instantly "fell in love" with it laying down the tune just days after hearing the demo.
  • The song eventually appeared on Jackson's second posthumous compilation album, Xscape, after L.A. Reid, the chairman of Epic Records, enlisted Timbaland to retool this and other cuts. Timbaland, who'd only talked with the King of Pop once on the phone, began by listening to the original source material and immediately decided to forgo the instrumental track, working with just Jackson's vocals.
  • Here are some other songs that namecheck the Windy City in the title:

    "Chi-Town" by The Cribs
    "Chicago" by The Devil Wears Prada
    "Chicago Is So Two Years Ago" by Fall Out Boy
    "Chicago (We Can Change The World)" by Graham Nash
    "The Night Chicago Died" by Paper Lace
    "Chicago" by Kate Voegele
    "Via Chicago" by Wilco
    "Jesus Just Left Chicago" by ZZ Top.

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyHere's one more 'Chicago' to add to the list:
    On August 13th 1957, Frank Sinatra recorded "Chicago" at the Capitol Records Studio in Los Angeles, California {at the same session he also recorded "All The Way"}...
    Exactly two months later on October 13th, 1957 it entered Billboard's Top 100 chart at position #84 {amazingly it was tied at #84 with 5 other songs; "Around the World" by Victor Young, "Farther Up the Road" by Bobby 'Blue' Bland, "I'll Remember You" by Patti Page, "Till" by Percy Faith, and "Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" by Huey 'Piano' Smith & the Clowns}...
    The following week it was off the Top 100; but his "All The Way" debut at #78...
    Both songs were featured in his 1957 movie "The Joker Is Wild", which had its world premiere on September 26th, 1957 in New York City...
    R.I.P. Francis Albert Sinatra {1915 - 1998}.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Daryl Hall

Daryl HallSongwriter Interviews

Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.