Saturday in the Park - Chicago (1972) 7/4/21

Happy Independence Day!

The obvious "Great Song of the '70s" to highlight on the Fourth of July is 1972's "Saturday in the Park" by Chicago.

Yes, I know it's Sunday...but it's still a "Great Song" to highlight because of the lyrical content. For example:

"Saturday in the park, I think it was the Fourth of July

People dancing, people laughing A man selling ice cream Singing Italian songs..."

Robert Lamm wrote the song after experiencing a celebration in New York's Central Park on July 4, 1970...and the song appeared on the album, "Chicago V" in 1972.

When it was released as a single, it became Chicago's biggest hit to date, reaching #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #8 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

COOL TRIVIA: The lyric after "Singing Italian songs" is "Eh, Cumpari, ci vo sunari," which is an actual lyric from an Italian novelty song called "Eh, Cumpari," a #2 Billboard hit by Julius LaRosa in 1953. It roughly translates as: "Hey friend, Let's make some music!" From there, it's rather easy to understand, even if you don't speak Italian. :-)

On this Fourth of July--remember the reason why we celebrate, and enjoy "Saturday in the Park," today's "Great Song of the '70s!"

"Eh, Cumpari" by Julius LaRosa (1953):