The Night Chicago Died

Paper Lace

About The Night Chicago Died

"The Night Chicago Died" is a song by the British group Paper Lace, written by Peter Callander and Mitch Murray. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week in 1974, reached number 3 in the UK charts, and number 2 in Canada. It is about a fictional shoot-out between the Chicago Police and members of the Al Capone Syndicate. The narrator retells his mother's anguish while awaiting news of the fate of her husband, a Chicago policeman. The song is featured in the theatrical trailer of the 2000 comedy-drama film High Fidelity. The song is also featured in a Season 1 episode of That '70s Show. 


Year:
1974
173 
#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Daddy was a cop on the east side of Chicago
Back in the U.S.A. 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!

And there was no sound at all
But the clock upon 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)
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)
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)
The night Chicago died
Brother what a night the people saw
Brother what a fight the people saw
Yes indeed!

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Paper Lace

Paper Lace are a Nottingham-based pop group, formed in 1967. They are known to Americans as a one-hit wonder; however, in the UK they were a "classic two-and-a-half-hit wonder". more »

1 fan

Written by: MITCH MURRAY, PETER CALLANDER

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Chart Performance
"The Night Chicago Died" is a song by the British group Paper Lace that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week in 1974. It also hit number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.
Song's Origin
Written by Peter Callander and Mitch Murray, the song describes a fictional account of a shoot-out between the Chicago Police and gangsters tied to Al Capone.
Song Background
The song's narrative implies that the event — which resulted in the death of Al Capone — took place on the East Side of Chicago. Interesting to note, however, is the fact that there is no "East Side" in Chicago, as Lake Michigan is immediately east of the city.
Album Inclusion
This song was included in the band’s album, "Paper Lace and Other Bits of Material," a popular album released on the Philips Records label.
Inspirations
The song was inspired by gangster movies set in the prohibition era that the songwriters watched when they were young.
Recognition
Despite inaccuracies in its management of Chicago's geography, "The Night Chicago Died" is among the most memorable songs of the 70s and a significant hit in the career of Paper Lace, gaining a gold disc.
Remarkable Cover
There have been many cover versions of "The Night Chicago Died." For instance, Puerto Rican singer Ñico Estrada did a Spanish version called "La noche que murió Chicago."
Awards
The song earned an Ivor Novello Award for the British songwriters Peter Callander and Mitch Murray.
Controversy
The song received some controversy when some Chicago officials claimed that the event described in the song never took place. This prompted Callander and Murray to issue a statement clarifying the fictional nature of the song.
Impact on Band’s Popularity
Following the success of "The Night Chicago Died," Paper Lace became a household name in the United States and beyond, elevating the band to stardom.

Discuss the The Night Chicago Died Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Night Chicago Died Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/13941498/Paper+Lace/The+Night+Chicago+Died>.

    Missing lyrics by Paper Lace?

    Know any other songs by Paper Lace? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    The Night Chicago Died

    453.8K
    5,069     162

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1974

    Billboard #1


    more tracks from the album

    Paper Lace

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Styx: "Please believe me, my heart is in your hands. 'Cuz I'll be _______ ___"
    A losing you
    B seeing you
    C missing you
    D watching you

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Paper Lace tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!