Before they started belting out ’80s power ballads, the band Chicago put out more, how shall we say … politically interesting music.  Having recently heard David McCullough, Harry Truman had been on my mind, and today I remembered that Chicago released a song titled “Harry Truman” back in 1975.

In the wake of the Watergate scandal it’s easy to see why the song did so well on the charts, peaking at #13. Today it might race to #1.

“Harry Truman”

by Robert Lamm

America needs you
Harry Truman
Harry could you please come home
Things are looking bad
I know you would be mad
To see what kind of men
Prevail upon the land you love

America’s wondering
How we got here
Harry all we get is lies
We’re gettin’ safer cars
Rocket ships to mars
From men who’d sell us out
To get themselves a piece of power

We’d love to hear you speak your mind
In plain and simple ways
Call a spade a spade
Like you did back in the day
You would play piano
Each morning walk a mile
Speak of what was going down
With honesty and style

America’s calling
Harry Truman
Harry you know what to do
The world is turnin’ round and losin’ lots of ground
Oh Harry is there something we can do to save the land we love