This article is about the unreleased "Chicago 1945". You may have been looking for Chicago.
"Chicago 1945" is an unreleased song written by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, intended for the Victory and Bad albums. On January 27, 2023, the track leaked online. (
listen)
Background[]
"Chicago 1945" was written by Jackson and Steve Porcaro (who also produced it). It was recorded in late 1983 during the Victory sessions, and was intended for said album. However, it wasn't in the final cut.
| “ | Years ago, Michael and I wrote a song called Chicago 1945 – I did the music and Michael the lyrics, he recorded the song twice, but never put it on an album… the instruments were played in a constant rhythm in the 16th note, which was called ‘yada’. When I explained this to Michael, he liked it so much he gave me that nickname!. | ” |
–Porcaro on Toto's website, late 2000s[1] | ||
"Chicago 1945" was revisited again by Jackson in the Spring of 1986 during the Bad sessions with new, live drums being added. It had a chance to make it on the album, but it didn't make the cut again.
In 2004, it became a contender for The Ultimate Collection, but like many other tracks, it didn't make the cut.[2] In 2014, the writer was approached by the Michael Jackson Estate about using the song along with "Dream Away" on Xscape but didn't permit them as he thought the songs didn't need "contemporizing", and that he disapproved of the estate's "straight to remix" approach to Jackson's unreleased material.
Five days before the release of Thriller 40, a low-quality recording of "Chicago 1945" from Porcaro's seminars leaked online. It was also considered for the former, but it didn't make the cut once again. Two months later, on January 27, 2023, the same version was leaked in HQ after Brad Sundberg's laptop was stolen. The leaked song is vocally complete.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Chicago, Chicago, Chicago!
Chicago
[Verse 1]
It was Chicago 1945
Cubs lost that year, but Al Capone was found alive
They searched forty days, in the suburbs of the night
But they found him, alive
Alive
Young Joe DiMaggio hit his first home run
People gathered 'round, basking in the sun
Three girls disappeared, on a cold windy night
[Pre-Chorus]
Never to be found again, never to be found again, so
[Chorus]
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
You can’t hide the truth, so won’t you turn on the light?
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
Never to be found again, never to be found again
Found again, never to be found again
Found again (Found again)
[Verse 2]
It was so windy, joy had to be in the air (Hee hee)
People gather ‘round to see the world's fair
It was so happy, but sad in the truth
So much is goin’ on
They didn’t know the girls were missing, missing
You can’t choose what they say, and nobody can (Hee hee)
Because on the cover of the Chicago Tribune, feature the world's fair
Girl, didn't bother, you know it is the truth (Hoo hoo)
[Pre-Chorus]
Never to be found again, never to be found again, so
[Chorus]
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
You can’t hide the truth, so won’t you turn on the light?
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
Never to be found again, never to be found again
Be found again, never to be found again
[Break]
Found again (Found again, hoo hoo!)
Never to be found again (Hoo hoo, Found again)
You can’t hide anything (Hee hee, found again)
Chicago, we love you! (Hee hee, found again)
You can’t find anything (Found again)
Chicago, ooh-ooh, baby (Found again)
Chicago, chicago (Found again)
Chicago, chicago
[Verse 3]
It was Chicago 1945, Cubs lost that year
But Al Capone was found alive
Searched forty days, in the suburbs of the night
So much was goin’ on
They didn’t know the girls were missing, missing
Can’t choose what they say, nobody can
'Cause on the cover of the Chicago Tribune
Feature the world’s fair (Hoo hoo)
They didn't bother, though it is the scene
[Pre-Chorus]
Never to be found again, never to be found again, so (Hoo hoo, hee hee)
(Tell me)
[Chorus]
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night? (Tell me)
You can’t hide the truth, so won’t you turn on the light?
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night? (Tell me)
Turn on the light (You can’t hide the truth, oh no)
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night? (Tell me)
You can’t hide the truth, but won’t you turn on the light?
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
You can’t hide the truth, we’ll make you turn on the light
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night? (Tell me, ooh-ooh)
Turn on the light (Hoo hoo, hee hee)
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night? (Chicago! You didn’t find anything)
Turn on the light
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
You can’t hide the truth, we’ll make you turn on the light
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
Turn on the light (You didn’t find anything, didn’t find anything!)
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night?
You can’t hide the truth, we’ll make you turn on the light
Who solved that mystery late Chicago night? (Hee hee, hee hee)
Chicago!
Trivia[]
- Contrary to popular belief, "Chicago 1945" has no connection to either "Smooth Criminal" or "Al Capone", the former's early version, and if anything it began the trend with Jackson's gangster-themed songs.
- Some fans rumored that "Chicago 1945" was reworked for HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, and later for Invincible, but this is most definitely false.