Brand New Love Affair (song)

"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.

"Brand New Love Affair"
Single by Chicago
from the album Chicago VIII
Released	1975
Genre	Rock
Length	4:35
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	James Pankow
Chicago singles chronology
"Old Days" (1975) "Brand New Love Affair" (1975) "Another Rainy Day in New York City" (1976)

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

References

1. "Chicago - Awards". Allmusic.
2. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. August 30, 1975. p. 12. Retrieved 2021-12-11.