http://somethingelsereviews.com/2013/05/19/gimme-five-songs-by-chicago-that-werent/

I'd like to know who the idiot was that told Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 that Chicago doesn't do session work for other bands. Chicago could have performed and been in the music video for If You're Gone! Damn it!

5: MATCHBOX 20, “IF YOU’RE GONE”(MAD SEASON, 2000): There’s a story that Rob Thomas wanted Chicago to do the horns for this song but didn’t approach them to do so because he’d been misinformed that they didn’t do sessions for other bands. The Chicago horns have indicated that, had they been approached, they would gladly have performed on this track.

Either way, the horn chart is trademark Chicago: This is what a Chicago ballad should sound like. It’s almost ironic that Chicago’s horns are conspicuously absent on their three biggest hits (“If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “Look Away”), yet one of Matchbox 20′s biggest hits has a horn chart that would not have sounded out of place on a Chicago album.

This was the Chicago hit ballad that wasn’t. It sounds more like Chicago than some of their own hit songs.

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 09/11/2013 @ 11:55am

Matchbox 20 CD Yourself Or Someone Like You was a smash album. It's difficult to find a CD with that many outstanding songs. Every track could have been released as a hit. 3AM, Back To Good,Push,Real World,etc.

Rob Thomas is an excellent songwriter & his collaboration with Santana on Smooth was pure magic. One of the best songs of the late 90's. Maybe ever.

Matchbox 20 has some work to do in order to make the HOF but they have some years to build their resume. I like listening to their songs. KING

Posted by KING on Wednesday, 01/29/2014 @ 19:05pm

Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 will induct Chicago.

Posted by Roy on Friday, 01/29/2016 @ 17:44pm

Rob Thomas is unequivocally one of the best song writers of the last 25 years and is indeed a standout in rock history. He has written many hit songs and not just for himself or band. He has written many great songs for many great artists including Willie Nelson, Seal, and others. He has done collaborations, most notably the song Smooth with Santana; one of the most popular songs of all time. 4 solo albums over 15 years and still making music with his band. He wrote every single song on the Album Yourself or Someone Like You; one of Only 92 albums to be certified Diamond. Rob Thomas is a no doubt first ballot entry into RNR HOF, the jury is still out on Matchbox 20.

Posted by Adam Phillips on Saturday, 03/30/2019 @ 01:51am

Um. Er. Hmmm.

No?

Posted by Casper on Saturday, 03/30/2019 @ 01:57am

I am 67 years old and have been a music buff for over 50 years including a stint as a radio DJ and I have never held any artist in as high a regard as I do Rob Thomas. First ballot Hall of Farmer or there is something wrong in this world!!! And Matchbox 20 belongs there as well. Rob loves them and so do I !!!

Posted by Ted on Sunday, 09/29/2019 @ 23:17pm

Whitney was right about one thing- crack IS wack!

Posted by KXB on Monday, 09/30/2019 @ 04:46am

Noone voting for this legendary group whos stands in the ranks with the greats like Genesis and Phil Collins. Matchbox Twenty and Rob Thomas. Pure Excellence!

Posted by Donna on Tuesday, 11/5/2019 @ 07:30am

I've seen em. Great live show. Catchy songs. Hope to see them again sometime.

Posted by Paul in KY on Tuesday, 11/5/2019 @ 09:55am

Why not.this band controlled rock radio for 10 years.defininite elevator music, recognized internationally ,huge in Australia ,they deserve this recognition. I vote a great big Yes YES

Posted by Jacqueline R Howell on Thursday, 05/14/2020 @ 09:53am

Their debut album was in 1996. Therefore they will be eligible next year.

Posted by Garrus on Monday, 12/14/2020 @ 02:45am

Like INXS, matchbox twenty are vastly underrated as a band. Yes, Rob Thomas is an amazing vocalist & songwriter. But let's not forget the contributions of the other band members: Kyle Cook is also a wonderful songwriter as well as being an extremely gifted guitar player. And Paul Doucette is a talented multi instrumentalist, playing drums, guitar and keyboards, as well as being a gifted songwriter.
Brian Yale plays their funky bass lines with utmost precision and style.
Clearly matchbox twenty is so much more than Rob Thomas, and yes they absolutely deserve induction into the RRHOH. :-)

Posted by Lisa on Monday, 05/31/2021 @ 00:02am

Call me crazy... my husband does, but matchbox 20 is my favorite band. They worked super hard to rise up from singing in bars to selling out arenas. Rob Thomas is an amazing song writer and his vocals are even more amazing. And honestly I love his solo music twice as much. Listening to Rob Thomas or Matchbox 20 always puts a smile on my face and turns all my cloudy days in to total sunshine. One of the best things about them is people of all ages and generations like them. Both Rob Thomas as a solo artist and Matchbox 20 deserve to be inducted in.

Posted by Michelle on Tuesday, 06/22/2021 @ 14:03pm

Rob Thomas has the smoothest voice in rock since Steve Perry... great band with plenty of classic hits. I say they should go in

Posted by James on Wednesday, 08/11/2021 @ 22:42pm

Let's not forget rhythm player Adam Gaynor, who was an integral part of this group for their original run of albums, but left before they reformed.

Posted by Jean-Paul on Saturday, 09/4/2021 @ 12:21pm

Rob and MB20 have approximately 80 songs, of which only 5 or so don't make me turn the radio up immediately. Everyone has different music tastes so I won't argue against other acts making the R and R Hall but it would be a travesty for my guys not to go in in 2022. C'mon voters. Do your thing!!

Posted by Ted on Tuesday, 10/5/2021 @ 06:23am

^I think Matchbox Twenty would be like Journey or Bon Jovi. They won't get in on their first year, but their fanbase is big enough that they'll eventually get inducted. Plus, critics seem to like Rob Thomas as a songwriter.

Posted by Henry on Tuesday, 10/5/2021 @ 13:47pm

Yes, Matchbox 20 definitely deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! Their music and songwriting is amazing! Listen to all of their albums- every song is so good, catchy and has a lot of meaning. They are so charismatic on and off stage. All members are awesome, but the cornerstone of the group is Rob Thomas. He takes a lot of his trials and tribulations in life and turns them into wonderful, meaningful songs! They need to be voted in! This is the ROCK AND ROLL Hall of Fame and they are definitely rock through and through. Sorry if I upset people but stop inducting rap artists into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame- sorry NOT Rock and they don't belong there. It needs to be for Rock artists. I think if there is a Rap hall of fame, a rock artist will not be inducted!

Posted by Teresa on Friday, 05/20/2022 @ 21:04pm

Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 deserve their place in RNR HOF. Rob is a musical genius and the boys back him and collaborate with him perfectly. They've had very few band changes and still Rob can write songs for other artists, do his own albums and projects on the side like Sidewalk Angels and the concert to support the Arts. He gives as much as he gets. They work. They are a hard working band. And isn't that the American Rock n Roll dream? And longevity. They just became eligible this year and no one has said boo. Come'on! MB20!!

Posted by Mindy on Sunday, 11/20/2022 @ 22:54pm

Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 deserve their place in RNR HOF. Rob is a musical genius and the boys back him and collaborate with him perfectly. They've had very few band changes and still Rob can write songs for other artists, do his own albums and projects on the side like Sidewalk Angels and the concert to support the Arts. He gives as much as he gets. They work. They are a hard working band. And isn't that the American Rock n Roll dream? And longevity. They just became eligible this year and no one has said boo. Come'on! MB20!!

Posted by Mindy on Sunday, 11/20/2022 @ 22:54pm

Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 deserve their place in RNR HOF. Rob is a musical genius and the boys back him and collaborate with him perfectly. They've had very few band changes and still Rob can write songs for other artists, do his own albums and projects on the side like Sidewalk Angels and the concert to support the Arts. He gives as much as he gets. They work. They are a hard working band. And isn't that the American Rock n Roll dream? And longevity. They just became eligible this year and no one has said boo. Come'on! MB20!!

Posted by Mindy on Sunday, 11/20/2022 @ 22:54pm

Idk anything about matchbox 20 except Rob Thomas featuring on Smooth, and smooth kicks ass

Posted by Will M on Tuesday, 01/10/2023 @ 06:33am

I just saw Match Box Twenty for the 1st in Reno Nevada. What a great performance by everyone in the band including of course, Rob Thomas. It was sold out and everyone enjoyed them.

If they don't get in then the system is rigged

Will Brady

Posted by Will brady on Tuesday, 06/6/2023 @ 16:21pm