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

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.