The Chi-Lites were a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period to not come from Memphis or Philadelphia. They were led by Eugene Record, and scored eleven Top Ten R&B hits, in the early part of the decade.
The group formed in the late 1950s when The Chanteurs (Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, and Clarence Johnson) teamed up with Marshall Thompson and Creadel "Red" Jones to form The Hi-lites. Wishing to add a tribute to their home town of Chicago Read Full BioThe Chi-Lites were a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period to not come from Memphis or Philadelphia. They were led by Eugene Record, and scored eleven Top Ten R&B hits, in the early part of the decade.
The group formed in the late 1950s when The Chanteurs (Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, and Clarence Johnson) teamed up with Marshall Thompson and Creadel "Red" Jones to form The Hi-lites. Wishing to add a tribute to their home town of Chicago, they changed their name to the Chi-Lites" in 1964. Johnson left later that year, and their name was subsequently shortened to The Chi-Lites.
Eugene Record was the group's primary songwriter, though he frequently collaborated with others, such as Barbara Acklin.
Their major hits came in 1971, with "Have You Seen Her?", and 1972, with "Oh Girl".. In fact, The Mighty Majors ("You Can Never Go Back") won 1st Place at the Apollo Theatre Wednesday night Talent Show the night that The Chi-Lites were performing one of their finest performances ever at The Apollo that night in the early '70's.
Other transatlantic chart smashes followed, although the output became more fragmented as the group's personnel came and went. For example, bass singer Creadel Jones left in 1973 and was replaced in quick succession by Stanley Anderson; Willie Kensey; and then Doc Roberson. Shortly thereafter, Eugene Record left, and David Scott and Danny Johnson entered.
More personnel changes ensued, when Johnson was replaced by Vandy Hampton in 1977.
At that point the group totally disintegrated, but re-formed in 1980 with the mid sixties quartet of Record, Thompson, Jones, and Lester back together. Creadel Jones left for a second time in 1982, leaving the group as a trio. Record left again in 1990, and new lead Anthony Watson was recruited, considered by many to be one of the best in the group's history. (It should be noted that Robert Lester took over lead of "Oh Girl", while Watson led the other songs.) The group also featured an ever-changing female member.
Once the hits had completely dried up, further changes took place. In the early 1990s, Creadel Jones returned again, but would subsequently leave. Throughout the 1990s, Watson left twice; each time Frank Reed took over as lead singer. In 2002 the group was comprised of Marshall Thompson, Robert Lester, Anthony Watson, and Tara Henderson. Watson left for a third time, when Thompson's wife took over as female vocalist.
The present day group is virtual 'ever presents' - Marshall Thompson, and Robert Lester; plus Tara Thompson, and new lead singer, Frank Reed. Robert :Squirrel" Lester Passed away on Jan. 21st, 2010.
One relatively unknown album track by the group from the 70's, 'Are You My Woman', had its main riff sampled by Destiny's Child group member Beyoncé Knowles, on her massive world-wide hit 'Crazy in Love'.
In addition, their song "Oh Girl" was sped up and sampled by Paul Wall in his song "Girl".
The original lead vocalist, and main songwriter, Eugene Record died on Friday, July 22, 2005
The group formed in the late 1950s when The Chanteurs (Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, and Clarence Johnson) teamed up with Marshall Thompson and Creadel "Red" Jones to form The Hi-lites. Wishing to add a tribute to their home town of Chicago Read Full BioThe Chi-Lites were a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period to not come from Memphis or Philadelphia. They were led by Eugene Record, and scored eleven Top Ten R&B hits, in the early part of the decade.
The group formed in the late 1950s when The Chanteurs (Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, and Clarence Johnson) teamed up with Marshall Thompson and Creadel "Red" Jones to form The Hi-lites. Wishing to add a tribute to their home town of Chicago, they changed their name to the Chi-Lites" in 1964. Johnson left later that year, and their name was subsequently shortened to The Chi-Lites.
Eugene Record was the group's primary songwriter, though he frequently collaborated with others, such as Barbara Acklin.
Their major hits came in 1971, with "Have You Seen Her?", and 1972, with "Oh Girl".. In fact, The Mighty Majors ("You Can Never Go Back") won 1st Place at the Apollo Theatre Wednesday night Talent Show the night that The Chi-Lites were performing one of their finest performances ever at The Apollo that night in the early '70's.
Other transatlantic chart smashes followed, although the output became more fragmented as the group's personnel came and went. For example, bass singer Creadel Jones left in 1973 and was replaced in quick succession by Stanley Anderson; Willie Kensey; and then Doc Roberson. Shortly thereafter, Eugene Record left, and David Scott and Danny Johnson entered.
More personnel changes ensued, when Johnson was replaced by Vandy Hampton in 1977.
At that point the group totally disintegrated, but re-formed in 1980 with the mid sixties quartet of Record, Thompson, Jones, and Lester back together. Creadel Jones left for a second time in 1982, leaving the group as a trio. Record left again in 1990, and new lead Anthony Watson was recruited, considered by many to be one of the best in the group's history. (It should be noted that Robert Lester took over lead of "Oh Girl", while Watson led the other songs.) The group also featured an ever-changing female member.
Once the hits had completely dried up, further changes took place. In the early 1990s, Creadel Jones returned again, but would subsequently leave. Throughout the 1990s, Watson left twice; each time Frank Reed took over as lead singer. In 2002 the group was comprised of Marshall Thompson, Robert Lester, Anthony Watson, and Tara Henderson. Watson left for a third time, when Thompson's wife took over as female vocalist.
The present day group is virtual 'ever presents' - Marshall Thompson, and Robert Lester; plus Tara Thompson, and new lead singer, Frank Reed. Robert :Squirrel" Lester Passed away on Jan. 21st, 2010.
One relatively unknown album track by the group from the 70's, 'Are You My Woman', had its main riff sampled by Destiny's Child group member Beyoncé Knowles, on her massive world-wide hit 'Crazy in Love'.
In addition, their song "Oh Girl" was sped up and sampled by Paul Wall in his song "Girl".
The original lead vocalist, and main songwriter, Eugene Record died on Friday, July 22, 2005
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Give It Away
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Give it away
Ooh, hoo, give it away
Give it away
Ooh, hoo, give it away
What's the sense in giving you love
When you're gonna give it away
Oh, yeah [Give it away]
And what's sense in giving you kisses
When you're gonna give it away
Oh, yeah [Give it away]
You say you have nothing to live for
Baby, baby, I'm here knockin? at your door
Give it away, it?s all right (You can do what you wanna)
Give it away, it?s all right (?Cause I know you're gonna)
Give it away, give it away
What's the sense in having my love
When I'm gonna give it to you [Give it away]
Give it straight to you, baby [Give it away]
And I don't mean maybe
What's sense denying I love you
When you're mad and I'm proud of you [Give it away]
Oh, yeah [Give it away]
Baby, love was made for two
I know, I know, I know it?s meant for me and you
Give it away, it?s all right (You can do what you wanna)
Give it away, it?s all right (?Cause I know you're gonna)
Give it away, give it away
I love you no matter what you do
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
It's alright
It's alright
Baby, love was made for two
I know, I know, I know it?s meant for me and you
Oh, what's the sense in having my love [Ooh, hoo, give it away]
When I'm gonna give it to you
And what's sense in giving you kisses [Ooh, hoo, give it away]
When it's you I'm gonna be missin'
And what's sense in giving you honey [Ooh, hoo, give it away]
When you're takin' away my money
Oh, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby [Ooh, hoo, give it away]
Yeah, yeah
What's the sense in giving you love [Ooh, hoo, give it away]
What's the sense in giving you money
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, COLLIN W. YORK, LYNFORD MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Candace Smith
I grew up on The Chi Lites among many groups. My dad used to jam to this. Could step with the best of them. He has Parkinson's now so his limbs don't move like they should. But I still groove with him in his wheel chair occassionally. Love this song forever.
Sheila Davis
@uche ejims sèews
Mark Scholfield
So sorry! My Dad had Parkinson's for 8 years before passing away
uche ejims
OOOh Sorrry
Cherrell Boston
Listen to the WHATNAUTS. give him up, similar spin.
Jerry Johnson
This is one of my favorite cuts by the Chi-Lites...nice, upbeat.
boogie6543
Seen these guys do this song live at the MET in 1971. I never got a chance to go the Regal because they had torn it down b4 I could get there. But this is a great song by a master story teller Eugene Record. Growing up in Chicago in those days were truly special. 48 and Calumet. Can someone tell me what highschool the Chi lites went to?
Maceo Leon Thomas
Hi Boogie, The Chi-Lites went to Hyde Park High School in Chicago. They were an awesome group! They could sing and dance with the best of them. However, they principally only had one lead singer... Eugene Records. He was a hell of a song writer too! Like you, I was them in person at The Met. The outfits they wore for that show were magnificent! Nice connecting with you! Maceo
Valenda Newell
My high school days...we had the great music back then..so many good memories to keep for a lifetime 🥰❣
LUCKY 472
All of a sudden I'm a teenager again !!! Class of "72" #THECLASSICS🔥🔥🎤🎧