You Are on My Mind

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"You Are on My Mind"
Your Are On My Mind.png
Single by Chicago
from the album Chicago X
B-side "Gently I'll Wake You"
ReleasedMarch 27, 1977 (1977-03-27) [1]
Recorded1976
Genre
Length3:24
  • 2:51 (single edit) [3]
Label Columbia
Songwriter James Pankow
Producer James William Guercio
Chicago singles chronology
"If You Leave Me Now"
(1976)		"You Are on My Mind"
(1977)		"Baby, What a Big Surprise"
(1977)

"You Are on My Mind" is a song written and sung by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago X . It was released as the third single from the album and charted in both Canada and the United States.

Contents

"You Are on My Mind" is one of two songs in the band's discography to be sung by Pankow, with the other song being "Till the End of Time" from the band's following album, Chicago XI . [4] Pankow felt that the other members in Chicago did not sing the song with the inflection he desired, so James William Guercio, the band's producer at the time, suggested that Pankow handle lead vocals instead. [5]

This became the only hit single featuring Pankow on lead vocals, as it peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 17 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Critical reception

Record World said that "the long-awaited follow-up to the group's chart topper, 'If You Leave Me Now'" was a "showstopper". [3] Billboard called "You Are on My Mind" a "cheerfully fast moving tune that contains a slightly rueful lyric". They also thought that the song's "roaring horn fills and rapid tempo make this one of the veteran hit group's most jazz-influenced singles." [6] Cashbox said that the single "cooks with Latin fire", adding that "the same mellow vocal blend is here, along with a velvety texture on the horns, but the rhythm section has speeded into a quick samba, decorated with colorful percussion." [2]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1977)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [7] 75
US Billboard Hot 100 [8] 49
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [9] 17
US Cash Box Top 100 [10] 56

References

  1. ↑ "Chicago — "You Are On My Mind"". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
  2. 1 2 "Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cashbox . April 9, 1977. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2025– via World Radio History.
  3. 1 2 "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World . April 9, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved November 29, 2025– via World Radio History.
  4. ↑ "Awards 2020". International Trombone Association. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  5. ↑ Ruhlmann, William James (1991). Chicago Group Portrait (Box Set) (Media notes). New York City, NY: Columbia Records. p. 7. Archived from the original (CD booklet archived online) on February 13, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard . April 9, 1977. p. 70. Retrieved November 29, 2025– via World Radio History.
  7. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5288b." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  8. ↑ "Chicago Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Chicago Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Cashbox Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Cashbox . May 7, 1977. p. 4. Retrieved November 29, 2025– via World Radio History.
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