The song 'In Chicago' by John Summit presents a straightforward narrative of someone experiencing the effects of intoxication and substance use after a night out in the city of Chicago. The repeated lines 'I'm drunk and I'm high' paired with the minimalistic 'concentrate' serve as the primary lyrical content, painting a vivid picture of someone caught in a moment of inebriation, struggling for mental clarity while wandering the streets at the break of dawn.
The emotional journey in 'In Chicago' can be seen as a microcosm of the intense, fleeting escapism often sought in nightlife and the subsequent attempts at grounding oneself in reality afterwards. As our protagonist, voiced by John Summit, repeatedly states that they are 'drunk and I'm high,' there is a sense of careless freedom and the all-consuming nature of this altered state. The moment captured is less about the physical location of Chicago and more about the mental space the protagonist finds themselves in—a space that's hazy, euphoric, yet disoriented.
The continual affirmation of being both 'drunk' and 'high' not only highlights the state of intoxication but also reflects the cyclical nature of the party lifestyle. There is no progression in the lyrics, mirroring how such nights can blend into each other, offering temporary relief or pleasure without moving beyond the surface level of experience. When John Summit introduces the word 'Concentrate,' listened in contrast to the rest of the lyrics, it seems like a desperate inward reminder or plea for mental focus amidst the chaos of overindulgence.
As the song progresses, the introduction of a specific time, 'about 6:15 in the morning,' introduces a sense of realization, with dawn representing both a literal and figurative new beginning. It suggests that the night is over, and the aftermath is setting in—the period where reflection and sometimes regret infiltrate the mind. John Summit captures the moment that divides the night's oblivion from the day's lucidity, a point where one might begin to piece together memories or question their decisions.
The closing stanzas of the song do not offer resolution but instead, cement the protagonist in this repetitive cycle as the sunrises. The words 'I'm drunk and I'm high, and I'm in Chicago' land with a mix of pride and pathos. Chicago here is a placeholder for any city and any individual's experience with nightlife's seductive and often detrimental loop. It's a story of someone not ready or willing to break from this repeated pattern of seeking substance-fueled escapes, only to confront their reality with each sobering sunrise.
"I'm drunk and I'm high"
Artistically, these lyrics convey the theme of escapism and indulgence. While explicitly stating the protagonist's condition, they may also speak to a broader theme of coping with the complexities of life through substance use.
"Concentrate"
With the repetitiveness of the chorus, 'Concentrate' serves as a stark contrast—an attempt to regain control and pull oneself out of the induced stupor, or possibly to immerse more deeply into the sensation.
"And I'm in Chicago"
This line roots the experience in a specific location, Chicago—a city with its own rich cultural backdrop and nightlife, which adds depth to the narrative of the song.
"It was about 6:15 in the morning"
These lyrics inject a sense of time, representing both the end of one experience and the threshold of another. It suggests a potential moment of clarity or reckoning after a night of excess.