# Chicago’s Final No. 1 Single Almost Went to Another 80s Band Instead

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/chicagos-final-no-1-single-almost-went-to-another-80s-band-instead/
- Published: 2026-11-09T22:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T22:24:46+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/chicagos-final-no-1-single-almost-went-to-another-80s-band-instead/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Cheap Trick passed on “Look Away” for “The Flame”.
- “Look Away” was Chicago’s final Hot 100 No. 1.
- Both songs became major hits for their respective bands.

## Summary

Chicago’s 1988 single “Look Away” almost went to Cheap Trick, after the band was offered a choice between it and “The Flame”. Cheap Trick chose “The Flame”, leaving Chicago with a song that became their final No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Written by Diane Warren, “Look Away” topped the chart for two weeks and appeared on Chicago 19. “The Flame” became Cheap Trick’s biggest hit and only No. 1 single. Warren reportedly drew inspiration from a divorced couple who remained friends, while Chicago singer Bill Champlin later said he was so focused on new work that he barely noticed the song’s success.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.