Chicago – “Look Away”: A Heart-Wrenching Power Ballad of Love and Letting Go
Released in 1988 as part of Chicago’s album Chicago 19, “Look Away” marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career, capturing audiences with its blend of emotional depth and powerful production. Written by Diane Warren, one of pop music’s most celebrated songwriters, “Look Away” became a massive hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and holding that spot for two weeks. This track’s success not only cemented Chicago’s presence in the pop-rock world but also proved that their sound could evolve while still staying true to the band’s core themes of love, heartache, and introspection.
Lyrically, “Look Away” tells a story of unrequited love and emotional vulnerability. The protagonist learns that a former love has moved on with someone new, leading to a mix of heartbreak and regret. In the chorus, the plea “Look away, baby, look away” encapsulates the complex emotions of seeing someone you once loved with another. Rather than bitterness, the lyrics convey a sense of self-preservation and an earnest attempt to mask pain by asking their former lover to turn away. This is a song about the struggle to let go while still feeling deeply connected to the memories of a past relationship, resonating with anyone who has faced the complexities of love lost.
The vocal performance by Bill Champlin brings incredible emotional weight to the song. Champlin’s soulful voice captures both the strength and the vulnerability of the lyrics, delivering each line with a heartfelt intensity that underscores the sorrow in Warren’s words. His delivery is smooth and powerful, perfectly fitting the ballad’s themes of longing and emotional resilience. Champlin’s expressive range makes the song’s protagonist feel real and relatable, as if he’s speaking directly to the listener, creating an intimacy that draws audiences into the narrative.
Musically, “Look Away” leans into the power ballad style that was popular in the late 1980s, combining rock and pop elements with orchestral flourishes. The track opens with a soft, introspective tone before building into a grand chorus, driven by soaring guitars, strong drum beats, and rich keyboard layers. The instrumentation adds a sense of grandeur, giving the song a larger-than-life quality that matches the intensity of the lyrics. The production balances the softer verses with a powerful, climactic chorus, creating a dynamic structure that keeps the listener engaged throughout. This blend of rock instrumentation with pop sensibility was a notable evolution for Chicago, as it showcased their versatility and willingness to explore new sounds.
One of the unique aspects of “Look Away” is that, unlike many other Chicago songs, it doesn’t feature the iconic brass section that characterized much of their earlier work. Instead, the song relies heavily on guitar, keyboards, and percussion to build its emotional landscape. This choice underscores the song’s pop-rock style, allowing it to fit seamlessly into the late-1980s radio landscape while still standing out for its raw emotional core. This shift in instrumentation marked a new era for Chicago, as they embraced a more mainstream sound that helped the band appeal to a broader audience.
The song’s universal theme of heartbreak and acceptance is part of what has made “Look Away” such an enduring track. While the story is specific, the emotions it explores are universally relatable, resonating with anyone who has struggled to move on from a relationship. It’s a song that doesn’t shy away from the vulnerability of heartbreak, yet it carries a sense of resilience, capturing the bittersweet process of letting go. The song speaks to the universal truth that while love can be incredibly fulfilling, it can also be a source of pain—and sometimes, the best way to cope is to look away.
In conclusion, Chicago’s “Look Away” is a powerful anthem of love, loss, and the struggle to heal. With its poignant lyrics, Champlin’s moving vocal performance, and a production that captures the emotional highs and lows of heartbreak, the song remains one of the band’s standout tracks. It reflects a moment in Chicago’s evolution, blending pop and rock in a way that appealed to a new generation of fans. Decades later, “Look Away” continues to resonate with listeners, offering solace and connection to those grappling with the complexities of love and the courage it takes to let go.