(I've Been) Searchin' So Long

"(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.

"(I've Been) Searchin' So Long"
Single by Chicago
from the album Chicago VII
B-side	"Byblos"
Released	February 1974
Genre	Soft rock
Length	4:29 4:19 (7" version)
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	James Pankow
Producer(s)	James William Guercio
Chicago singles chronology
"Just You 'n' Me" (1973) "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" (1974) "Call on Me" (1974)

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] 73

References

1. "Chicago Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
2. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 9, 1974. p. 26. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
3. "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.
4. "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
5. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
6. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 54.
7. CASH BOX Top 100 Singles Week ending June 1, 1974, tropicalglen.com
8. "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013.
9. "Top Pop Singles" Billboard December 28, 1974: Talent in Action-8