Brand New Love Affair (song) explained

Brand New Love Affair
Cover:	Brand New Love Affair cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Chicago
Album:	Chicago VIII
Released:	1975
Genre:	Rock
Length:	4:35
Label:	Columbia
Prev Title:	Old Days
Prev Year:	1975
Next Title:	Another Rainy Day in New York City
Next Year:	1976

"Brand New Love Affair" sometimes alternatively listed as "Brand New Love Affair (Parts I and II)", is a song written by James Pankow for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII. The song peaked at #61 on the charts.^[1] Guitarist Terry Kath sings the first half while bassist Peter Cetera sings the second half. Keyboardist Robert Lamm played the distinctive Fender Rhodes electric piano on the song—the intro particularly showcases its lush vibrato bell-like sound.

Cash Box said it has "low key . . . Ray Charles style painful/mature/emotional vocal."^[2]

Personnel

Part One

• Terry Kath – lead vocals, electric guitars
• Robert Lamm – backing vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hammond organ
• Peter Cetera – backing vocals, bass
• Danny Seraphine – drums
• Laudir de Oliveira – wind chimes
• James Pankow – trombone
• Lee Loughnane – trumpet
• Walter Parazaider – alto saxophone

Part Two

• Peter Cetera – lead vocals, bass
• Terry Kath – backing vocals, electric guitars (special effects: fuzzbox and wah-wah pedal)
• Robert Lamm – backing vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, piano
• Danny Seraphine – drums
• Laudir de Oliveira – tambourine, temple blocks, congas
• James Pankow – trombone
• Lee Loughnane – trumpet
• Walter Parazaider – alto saxophone

Patrick Williams provided the orchestration on both parts of the song

Notes and References

1. Web site: Chicago - Awards. Allmusic.
2. News: CashBox Singles Reviews. August 30, 1975. 12. 2021-12-11. Cash Box.