[3] It is often considered the group's return-to-basics as it has a sound resembling their first album, Chicago Transit Authority.

Chicago V is also notable for Robert Lamm's prolific songwriting; Eight out of its ten tunes are composed solely by him.

Terry Kath wrote and sang the album's final track "Alma Mater", which showcased his acoustic guitar abilities.

Released shortly before the album, the single "Saturday in the Park" was the band's biggest hit to that point, reaching No.

In 2002, Chicago V was remastered and reissued by Rhino Records with three bonus tracks: a rehearsal of Lamm's "A Song for Richard and His Friends", which was debuted at Carnegie Hall, an early rehearsal of Kath's "Mississippi Delta City Blues" (which would later be re-recorded and released on Chicago XI), and a single edit of "Dialogue".