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
Give It Away
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The Chi-Lites' song "Give It Away" seems to be a song about a relationship that is on the brink of collapse. The singer begins by questioning the sense in giving love and kisses when the other person is just going to give it away. From the lyrics, it seems like the other person in the relationship may be unfaithful, taking the singer's love and money while still seeking affection from others.
However, despite this potential betrayal, the singer seems to be willing to continue loving the other person no matter what they do. They acknowledge that love is meant for two and that it is alright for the other person to do whatever they want, including giving away their affections to others. The song ends with a repetition of the question of what's the sense in giving love and money, suggesting that the singer is still grappling with the complexity of their emotions.
Overall, "Give It Away" is a poignant look at the ups and downs of relationships and the difficulty of navigating the complex feelings that come with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Give it away
Encourages the listener to give away something without expecting anything in return.
What's the sense in giving you love
When you're gonna give it away
Oh, yeah [Give it away]
Why give love to someone who will not appreciate it and likely give it away to others.
And what's sense in giving you kisses
When you're gonna give it away
Oh, yeah [Give it away]
Kissing someone is pointless if they will share it with others or not value it.
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
Encourages the listener to give away love or possessions to someone who needs it and alleviates their worries as the person in need would appreciate it.
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
I will give my love to you directly without hesitation or reservation.
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
There is no point in denying love to someone when you are committed to the relationship and feel proud of them.
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
The love in this relationship is meant solely for both people and it is okay to give it away if it will benefit both parties.
Baby, love was made for two
I know, I know, I know it?s meant for me and you
Love should be shared between two people who are committed and reciprocate those feelings.
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'
It is pointless to hoard love or kisses when they will only be missed when not given to the person you love.
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
It is not wise to lavishly spoil someone with gifts when they are more interested in your money than your love.
What's the sense in giving you love [Ooh, hoo, give it away]
What's the sense in giving you money
Why give someone love or money when there is no appreciation or reciprocation in return.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, COLLIN W. YORK, LYNFORD MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind