The Night Chicago Died Lyrics
Paper Lace
Lyrics
Daddy was a cop
On the east side of Chicago
Back in the USA
Back in the bad old days
In the heat of a summer night
In the land of the dollar bill
When the town of Chicago died
And they talk about it still
When a man named Al Capone
Tried to make that town his own
And he called his gang to war
Against the forces of the law
I heard my momma cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night it really was
Brother, what a fight it really was
Glory be
I heard my momma cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night the people saw
Brother, what a fight the people saw
Yes, indeed
And the sound of the battle rang
Through the streets of the old east side
Till the last of the hoodlum gang
Had surrendered up or died
There was shouting in the street
And the sound of running feet
And I asked someone who said
'Bout a hundred cops are dead
I heard my momma cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night it really was
Brother, what a fight it really was
Glory be
I heard my momma cry
I heard her pray the night Chicago died
Brother, what a night the people saw
Brother, what a fight the people saw
Yes, indeed
Then, there was no sound at all
But the clock up on the wall
Then, the door burst open wide
And my daddy stepped inside
And he kissed my momma's face
Then brushed her tears away
The night Chicago died
The night Chicago died
Brother, what a night the people saw
Brother, what a fight the people saw
Yes, indeed
The night Chicago died
The night Chicago died
Brother, what a night it really was
Brother, what a fight it really was
Glory be
Song & Lyrics Facts
Paper Lace is a British pop band best known for their 1974 hit single "The Night Chicago Died". The song was released on the group's debut album, also titled The Night Chicago Died.
It was written by Peter Callander and Mitch Murray and produced by Clive Scott and Des Champ. The song was released in April 1974 and peaked at number one in both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since been covered by numerous artists including Elton John, Glen Campbell and Engelbert Humperdinck. The genre of the song is Pop/Rock with lyrics that tell the story of an incident involving two police officers and a gangster set in Chicago. Paper Lace consisted of five members; lead singer Phil Wright, guitarist Gerry Shephard, bassist Tony O'Hora, keyboard player Barry Palmer and drummer Cliff Fish. They are considered to be one of the most successful bands of the 1970s, having achieved seven top ten hits in the UK. "The Night Chicago Died" remains their most popular song and its lyrics have become iconic over the years.