Chicago IX: Chicago's Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album, and ninth album overall, by the American band Chicago and was released in 1975 by Columbia Records in both stereo (PC 33900) and SQ quadraphonic (PCQ 33900) versions.
Including all of Chicago's biggest hits to date, this set stretches from their 1969 debut, Chicago Transit Authority (referred to as Chicago I in the original LP liner notes), to 1974's Chicago VII. Chicago VIII and its hits, having only come out just months earlier, were considered too recent to anthologize, while Chicago IIIs material was overlooked for inclusion due to its lack of top-selling singles.
Chicago IX proved to be an enormous success upon its release. It reached No. 1 in the US (the fifth and final consecutive Chicago album to do so) and remained on the Billboard 200 for a total of 72 weeks. It has since been certified quintuple platinum by the RIAA, signifying sales of over five million copies. Chicago IX was reissued by Rhino Records, Chicago's current distributor. The album did not chart in the UK.
The UK version contains the additions of "Never Been in Love Before" and a shortened 3:27 version of "I'm a Man". The Brazilian version has the addition of "Happy Man" and moves "25 or 6 to 4" to the end of Side 1. "Feelin' Stronger Every Day" and "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" are omitted.
2025 expanded version: To mark the 50th anniversary of ChicagoâÂÂs first greatest hits collection, the 1975 release Chicago IX has been significantly expanded from 11 tracks to 21. The new edition now includes songs from every studio album they released between 1969 and 1980. âÂÂQuestions 67 And 68â âÂÂBeginningsâ âÂÂMake Me Smileâ (2017 Steven Wilson Remix/Edit) âÂÂ25 Or 6 To 4â (2017 Steven Wilson Remix/Edit) âÂÂDoes Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?â âÂÂFreeâ âÂÂColour My Worldâ (2017 Steven Wilson Remix) âÂÂSaturday In The Parkâ âÂÂDialogue (Part I & II)â âÂÂFeelinâ Stronger Every Dayâ âÂÂJust You âÂÂnâ Meâ âÂÂ(IâÂÂve Been) Searchinâ So Longâ âÂÂCall On Meâ âÂÂWishing You Were Hereâ âÂÂOld Daysâ âÂÂIf You Leave Me Nowâ âÂÂBaby, What A Big Surpriseâ âÂÂAlive Againâ âÂÂNo Tell Loverâ âÂÂStreet Playerâ âÂÂThunder And LightningâÂÂ