“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
“Windy City” stands as one of The Sweet’s most powerful and epic compositions. Released in 1977 on their album “Off the Record,” this nearly eight-minute track showcases the band at their heaviest and most ambitious. Far from their bubblegum pop beginnings, this song represents The Sweet at their hard rock peak.
What makes “Windy City” special is its raw intensity and emotional depth. The song opens with a doom-laden riff (using the “diabolus in musica” – the devil’s interval) that immediately sets a dark, foreboding tone. As the song unfolds, it takes you on a journey through struggles, frustration, and the desperate search for freedom.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone trapped in difficult circumstances – working endlessly with little reward, surrounded by hardship, and dreaming of escape. There’s a universal quality to this sentiment that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt stuck in their situation, longing for something better.
When Brian Connolly sings about wanting to be free, you can feel the yearning in his voice. The band’s tight musicianship creates the perfect backdrop for this emotional journey, with crunching guitars and powerful rhythms that build and release tension throughout the song.
“Windy City” became a fan favorite and often closed their live shows in the 70s, serving as an encore that left audiences breathless. It showcased the band’s evolution from pop hitmakers to serious rock musicians who could create complex, meaningful music that stood the test of time.
This track remains one of The Sweet’s most respected deep cuts – a testament to their musical range and ability to create something truly epic that still resonates with listeners today.
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Lyrics
Listen to you
Listen to me
No one knows the reason
Why they wanna be free
Workin’ all night
Workin’ all day
Waitin’ for my money
And I can’t get away
I wanna be rich man
But I’m only poor man
I got to get away
Waitin’ for the risin’ sun to shine on windy city
You can find a place to hide yourself in windy city
I’ve got to get away from windy city
Your dad’s in the slam
Your mama’s a whore
No one understands you
Couldn’t help bein’ poor
But when I get rich
I’ll get my kicks
From givin’ it all away
Wanna be free
‘Cause livin’ ain’t easy
Wanna be free
Cause that’s how it’s gonna be
I gotta be free
Waitin’ for the risin’ sun to shine on windy city
You can find a place to hide yourself in windy city
Gotta be free
Now I’m a rich man
Gotta be free
Don’t wanna be this man
I gotta be free
Waitin’ for the risin’ sun to shine on windy city
You can find a place to hide yourself in windy city
I’ve got to get away from windy city
I don’t wanna be a poor man
Don’t wanna be a rich man
I gotta be free
I wanna be free