"Harry Truman" is a song written by Robert Lamm for the group Chicago and recorded for their album Chicago VIII (1975), with lead vocals by Lamm. The first single released from that album, it reached number thirteen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Written after the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon, the lyrics are a tribute to a former President that Lamm felt the American people could trust — straight-talking Harry S. Truman. “America needs you, Harry Truman”.
Despite its popularity at the time, the Beatlesque “Harry Truman” only appears on two of Chicago's compilation albums: Group Portrait (now out of print) and The Box. It is rarely performed in the band's live shows.
This song was “performed” by Chicago in late 1974 as part of the 1975 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve special, in which Chicago guitarist Terry Kath can be seen mocking the band's obvious lip-synching by holding cue cards depicting the song's lyrics.
Famous quotes containing the words harry and/or truman:
“I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off—you’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?”
—Harry Fink, U.S. screenwriter, Rita Fink, U.S. screenwriter, Dean Riesner, U.S. screenwriter, and Don Siegel. Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood)
“I would rather have peace in the world than be President.”
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972)