10 songs that feel like Chicago
Matched to Chicago by Sufjan Stevens on how the music actually moves — intensity, dynamic swing, texture, tempo — not by genre tag. Here's what makes each one a match.
A 99% feel-match — carries the same uplifting pull and lands at almost exactly the same energy (55/100). Nearly the same tempo, too (142 BPM).
97% match across our 8 measured dimensions; it lands at almost exactly the same energy (53/100). Same layered texture.
Keeps the same uplifting pull — lands at almost exactly the same energy (54/100). Measured 98% alike. Nearly the same tempo, too (132 BPM).
Measures 96% the same. It lands at almost exactly the same energy (50/100). Same layered texture.
A 98% feel-match — carries the same uplifting pull and lands at almost exactly the same energy (54/100).
99% match across our 8 measured dimensions; it lands at almost exactly the same energy (54/100). Same layered texture.
Keeps the same uplifting pull — lands at almost exactly the same energy (53/100). Measured 95% alike.
Measures 95% the same. It lands at almost exactly the same energy (53/100). Same layered texture.
A 98% feel-match — carries the same uplifting pull and lands at almost exactly the same energy (55/100). Nearly the same tempo, too (148 BPM).
94% match across our 8 measured dimensions; it lands at almost exactly the same energy (53/100). Same layered texture.
…and if you want it calmer
Same feeling, measured gentler — for when Chicago is more than you want right now.
Keeps the same feel of the original, but its dynamic range stays a gentler 5 where the original climbs to 7. Intensity 25/100, down from 55. Nearly the same tempo, too.
Its dynamic range stays a gentler 5 where the original climbs to 7, so it lands at 28/100 — the pull without the edge.
If it's the same feel you're after, this delivers it while its dynamic range stays a gentler 4 where the original climbs to 7. Reads 17/100.
Holds the same feel while it stays in our safe band start to finish. 38/100, versus the original's 55.
Keeps the same feel of the original, but it stays in our safe band start to finish. Intensity 37/100, down from 55.
It stays in our safe band start to finish, so it lands at 37/100 — the pull without the edge.
If it's the same feel you're after, this delivers it while it stays in our safe band start to finish. Reads 33/100.
Holds the same feel while its dynamic range stays a gentler 4 where the original climbs to 7. 32/100, versus the original's 55.
Frequently asked
What songs sound like “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens?
The closest feel-matches we measure are “Cry for Judas” by The Mountain Goats, “Miracle” by Foo Fighters, “Stand Inside Your Love” by Smashing Pumpkins — the top match scores 99% alike. Matching is by how the songs actually move (intensity, dynamic range, texture, tempo, predictability, vocal force), not by genre tag or popularity.
What songs are like “Chicago” but calmer?
“Epiphany” by BTS, “I Was Here” by Beyoncé, “Teach Your Children” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young keep a similar feel while measuring gentler — lower dynamic swing, fewer sudden shifts, or a calmer overall level.
How intense is “Chicago”?
It measures 55/100 on our intensity scale, computed from a dynamic range of 7/10, layered texture, mild sudden shifts, and dynamic vocals. Tempo is 140 BPM.
How do you decide which songs are similar?
Every song in our catalog is measured on 8 dimensions — intensity, dynamic range, tempo, sudden changes, texture, predictability, vocal force and fine sound detail. Similarity is the distance between two songs across those measurements, so matches cross genres and eras. Shared mood tags break ties.
By the numbers: how this song compares
Computed from this song’s place among the 19,209 songs we’ve measured.
Where it sits in 19,000 songs
On our 19k-song scale this lands in the middle band — more energetic than 75% of songs, calmer than the other 25%. Its intensity reading of 55/100 comes from a dynamic range of 7/10, layered texture, mild shifts, and dynamic vocals. Relatively few songs occupy this exact corner of the spectrum.
What makes it unusual
What stands out most about this song is a fast, driving tempo: more extreme on that axis than 90% of everything we've measured. At the far opposite end of the library sit the songs built on near-total stillness — steady volume, no surprises, a slow and unhurried pulse — the kind of track this one is the counterpoint to.
Feels almost identical to
Closest matches by feel across all 19,209 measured songs — not by genre or artist, by how they actually move.
What it’s good for
Scored from this song’s tempo, intensity, dynamics and texture — not crowd votes.
2005 in context
The 363 songs we’ve measured from 2005 average a dynamic range of 6.2/10. At 7/10, this track is louder and more dynamic than its year.
Mixes smoothly with
Within a few BPM and close in feel — they flow without a jarring transition.
The fingerprint
The 8-dimension measurement behind every rating on this page.
Want the single closest match, with every dimension compared?
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