(I've Been) Searchin' So Long Explained

(I've Been) Searchin' So Long
Cover:	I've Been Searchin' So Long cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Chicago
Album:	Chicago VII
B-Side:	Byblos
Released:	February 1974
Genre:	Soft rock
Length:	4:29 4:19 (7" version)
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	James William Guercio
Prev Title:	Just You 'n' Me
Prev Year:	1973
Next Title:	Call on Me
Next Year:	1974

"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VII (1974). The first single released from that album, it reached number 9 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.^[1] It also hit number 8 on the Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada, the song peaked at number 5.

Background

Cash Box said that "this dreamy, progressive ballad [is] reminiscent of...Yes and the Beach Boys with that definite patented Chicago drive," and also praised the "sensitive musical execution and slowly intensifying vocals."^[2]

Personnel

• Peter Cetera – lead vocals, bass guitar, fretless bass
• Robert Lamm – Fender Rhodes electric piano, Minimoog synthesizer, backing vocals
• Terry Kath – phased/fuzzed wah-wah electric guitar, backing vocals
• Danny Seraphine – drums
• Lee Loughnane – trumpet, backing vocals
• James Pankow – trombone, percussion, backing vocals
• Walter Parazaider – tenor saxophone

Additional Personnel

• David J. Wolinski – ARP synthesizer
• Laudir de Oliveira – congas
• Jimmie Haskell – strings

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1974)	Peak position
Australia Kent Music Report	44
Canada RPM Top Singles^[3]	5
Canada RPM Adult Contemporary^[4]	16
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[5]	9
U.S. Billboard Easy Listening^[6]	8
U.S. Cash Box Top 100^[7]	7

Year-end charts

Chart (1974)	Rank
Canada RPM Top Singles^[8]	76
U.S. Billboard Hot 100^[9]	84

Notes and References

1. Web site: Chicago Awards. Allmusic. 2012-08-17.
2. News: CashBox Record Reviews. March 9, 1974. 26. 2021-12-11. Cash Box.
3. Web site: Image : RPM Weekly. . 17 July 2013.
4. Web site: Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada . Bac-lac.gc.ca . 17 July 2013 . 2016-10-09.
5. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 -
6. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn

   . Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Joel Whitburn . 2002 . Record Research . 54.

7. http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/70s_files/19740601.html CASH BOX Top 100 Singles Week ending June 1, 1974
8. Web site: Image : RPM Weekly. . 17 July 2013.
9. "Top Pop Singles" Billboard December 28, 1974: Talent in Action-8