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Early one morning in 1984, Peter Cetera of Chicago was preparing for a trip to Italy later in the day, when the phone rang.
It was composer-producer and multi Grammy Award winner David Foster on the line with an opportunity:
David was working with Kenny Rogers, and wanted to know if Peter would write a song for Kenny's next album.
Peter replied that he'd love to--when he got back in 2 weeks.
And David said: "But I'm in the studio RIGHT NOW."
After a moment, Peter told him that if he came over to where he was staying (and packing), he'd do what he could before he had to leave.
To make a long story even longer, David agreed, and before Peter left for Italy just a few hours later, they had worked out the basic musical outline for today's Great Song of 1984.
The title and lyrics came later, after Peter was surrounded by beautiful Italian architecture and paintings by Michelangelo. He was inspired by it all, and thought "You're the Inspiration" would be not just a great title, but a gateway to some excellent lyrics.
And then Kenny turned it down!
In the end, that was a minor setback. Peter rewrote it a bit and then recorded it for the album ":Chicago XVII" (with David on Keyboards and synthesizers).
Released as a single in 1984, and crossing into 1985, "You're the Inspiration" topped the Adult Contemporary Charts in both the US and Canada, while reaching #3 on the Hot 100 here at home, #9 on the Top 40 up North.
Some might say that Kenny Rogers missed out on a Great Song by not recognizing when to hold 'em...or fold 'em."
(Sorry, I couldn't pass up the metaphor!)
"You're the Inspiration" by Chicago: a Great Song of the '80s!
Tomorrow: The "B" side becomes the "A" side. That's Life!
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