Chicago’s First Original Song Since 2014 Released

Chicago have recently released a new single titled “If This Is Goodbye,” which marks as their first original music in eight years since 2014 studio album Chicago XXXVI: Now and 2008 single “Let’s Take a Lifetime,” from Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus.

“If This Is Goodbye,” came out ahead of the band’s summer tour co-headlining with Brian Wilson that will kick off on June 7 in Phoenix and runs through July 26 in Clarkston, Mich. The song finds the band members reflecting on their lives and reminiscing good memories with the lyrics:

“If this is goodbye / Let’s take one more shot for the memories / Life’s too short to be enemies / And if this ends tonight / You can save your tears for the other guys / I’ll see you in another life.”

The current lineup of Chicago includes three active founding members, singer and keyboardist Robert Lamm, trumpeter Lee Loughnane and trombonist James Pankow. While, original member Walter Parazaider, who plays saxophone, flute and clarinet, is still part of the band, but retired from touring in 2017.

Last December, Chicago’s longest-tenured guitarist Keith Howland announced his departure from the band after almost 27 years following an injury that prevented him from playing guitar. Howland shared on Facebook:

“As you all know, I broke my arm just before we were supposed to go on stage in Louisville.

“I can’t play the guitar right now, and it’s probably going to be several months before I can get back to anything normal. At this point, I have decided to move on to the next chapter in my life. … I am extremely grateful for the 27 years that Chicago has given me musically. I am honored and blessed to be part of the legacy that is Chicago.”

Stream the band’s newest single below.