"Baby, What a Big Surprise" | ||||
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Single by Chicago | ||||
from the album Chicago XI | ||||
B-side | "Takin’ It On Uptown" | |||
Released | September 1977 | |||
Format | 7" | |||
Recorded | April – June 1977 | |||
Genre | Soft rock | |||
Length | 3:04 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Writer(s) | Peter Cetera | |||
Producer(s) | James William Guercio | |||
Chicago singles chronology | ||||
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"Baby, What a Big Surprise" is a power ballad written by Peter Cetera for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago XI (1977), with Cetera singing lead vocals. The first single released from that album, it reached number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys provided additional backing vocals on the recording while saxophonist Walt Parazaider plays flute on the distinctive flute introduction and trumpeter Lee Loughnane plays a piccolo trumpet.
Although Chicago XI yielded two more minor singles, "Baby, What a Big Surprise" was Chicago's last top ten single before the accidental death of guitarist Terry Kath, and was also their last Top Ten single produced by James William Guercio.