1970 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 13 Minutes, Remains a Classic 56 Years Later
In 1970, Chicago released one of the most ambitious compositions in its catalog.
"Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon," a nearly 13-minute multi-part suite, blended rock, jazz, classical influences and orchestral arrangements into a single musical journey that remains one of the band's defining achievements more than 50 years later.
The piece appeared on the landmark double album Chicago, often referred to as Chicago II. At a time when the band was helping pioneer jazz-rock fusion on the mainstream charts, "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" demonstrated just how far Chicago was willing to push the boundaries of popular music.
The suite was written primarily by trombonist and songwriter James Pankow, who drew inspiration from a real-life relationship. The "girl" of the title was Pankow's future wife, while Buchannon referred to the street where she lived.
"Jimmy Pankow had the idea for the 'Ballet' while we were on the road," trumpet player Lee Loughnanetold Ultimate Classic Rock. "He'd set up a keyboard in the hotel room in between two beds and just start writing what he envisioned as the song."
Rather than writing a conventional love song, Pankow created an extended musical narrative that followed the evolution of a romantic relationship through multiple interconnected movements.
"I had been listening to Bach – the Brandenburg Concertos, and they had all those arpeggiated melodies," Pankow later recalled in an interview.
What makes the composition especially notable is that several of its sections became famous songs in their own right.
The suite includes "Make Me Smile," one of Chicago's first major hits, as well as "Colour My World," which became one of the band's signature ballads and remains a staple at weddings and school dances decades later.
When heard as a complete piece, however, those familiar songs take on new meaning as part of a larger musical story.
The suite moves seamlessly through changing tempos, moods and arrangements, showcasing the talents of the band's renowned horn section while also highlighting its ability to combine sophisticated composition with mainstream appeal.
At a time when rock bands were increasingly experimenting with longer forms, "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" stood out for its accessibility. While many progressive rock epics demanded careful study, Chicago managed to create something both ambitious and immediately memorable.
"As we took it out on the road and started performing it in one fell swoop all of the way through, we were improving or screwing it up from night to night," said Loughnane. "But I think most of the time, we were getting through it well enough for it to pass."
The composition also helped establish the group as one of the most innovative bands of its era.
Throughout the 1970s, Chicago would become one of the best-selling acts in America, but many longtime fans continue to point to "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" as one of the purest examples of the band's artistic vision.
More than five decades after its release, the suite remains a favorite among musicians and listeners alike. Its combination of memorable melodies, intricate arrangements and emotional storytelling has allowed it to endure long after many of its contemporaries faded from memory.
For Chicago, "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" remains more than just a song. It is a sprawling musical statement that helped define the band's legacy and continues to stand as one of the most celebrated works of the classic rock era.
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 11:03 AM.