Make Me Smile - Chicago (1970) 6/1/21

It's June 1st, and we're starting the new month by going back to the 1st year of the '70s for the 1st "Great Song" by Chicago!

"Make me Smile" was part of James Pankow's "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon," which appeared on the album, Chicago II.

The "Ballet" was a 13-minute piece in 7 movements that included "Make Me Smile," as well as a section called "Now More than Ever." Those two sections were edited together to create a single that lasted just under 3 minutes--the perfect length for radio station airplay.

Not only did it reach #9 on the Hot 100, it made music fans go back to Chicago's first album ("Chicago Transit Authority") looking for other hits, where they found "Question 67 & 68" as well as "Beginnings," which we highlighted on January 1st 2020. https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/129031681903621

After 1970, Chicago re-recorded "Make Me Smile/Now More than Ever" making it a seamless (and a bit longer) version without the edits. I've included links to both below.

Trivia: The original "B" side of "Make me Smile" was "Color My World," which, of course, later became a hit on its own. We highlighted THAT song on 11/24/20. https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/posts/231732928300162

"Make Me Smile/Now More Than Ever: a "Great Song of 1970!"

Original version:

Updated version: