"Beginnings" is a song written by American rock band Chicago Transit Authority and recorded for its debut album Chicago Transit Authority, released in 1969. It was written by Robert Lamm
The song is the band's second single (after "Questions 67 and 68"), had peaked at position #8 by means of the WNHC hit parade, but did not reach either the Billboard or the Cash Box hit parade on its initial release.
After the band's success with subsequent singles, "Beginnings" was re-released in June 1971, backed with "Colour My World". Both sides became U.S. radio hits, and the combined single climbed to number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "Beginnings" reached number one on the U.S. Easy Listening chart. Writing for Ultimate Classic Rock, Dave Swanson rates "Beginnings" as number two in his list of top ten Chicago songs. In February 2026, J.S. Gornael, writing for Collider, listed it as the number one "Greatest Romantic Classic Rock Song". It has been covered by many bands.
Composition Robert Lamm said "Beginnings" was inspired by a performance by Richie Havens that he attended at the Ash Grove music club in Los Angeles when the group moved to that area. In a 2013 interview he said he composed it on a twelve-string guitar that was missing the two low E strings.
Personnel Robert Lamm - lead vocals, keyboards Terry Kath - 12-string acoustic guitar, backing vocals Peter Cetera - bass, backing vocals Danny Seraphine - drums, percussion Jimmy Pankow - trombone Lee Loughnane - trumpet Walter Parazaider - alto saxophone
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1971) PeakpositionCanada RPM Top Singles8Canada RPM Adult Contemporary 15U.S. Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - 7U.S. Billboard Easy Listening1U.S. Cash Box Top 10011
Year-end charts Chart (1971) RankCanada RPM Top Singles53U.S. Billboard Hot 10064U.S. Easy Listening (Billboard)U.S. Cash Box58
References
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