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
Oh Girl
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd be in trouble if you left me now
'Cause I don't know where to look for love
I just don't know how
Oh, girl
How I depend on you
To give me love when I need it
Right on time you would always be
All my friends call me a fool
They say, "Let the woman take care of you"
So I, I try to be hip and think like the crowd
But even the crowd can't help me now, ohh
Oh, girl
Tell me what am I gonna do
I know I've got a guilty face
Girl, I feel so out of place, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Don't know where to go and who to see, yeah
Ohh
Oh, girl
I guess I better go
I can save myself a lot of useless tears
Girl, I've gotta get away from here
Oh, girl
Pain will double if you leave me now
'Cause I don't know where to look for love
And I don't, I don't know how
Oh, oh
Oh, girl
Why do I love you so? Yeah
Better be on my way, I can't stay, yeah
Oh, yeah
Uh-huh
Have you ever seen such a helpless man? Oh no
Oh
Girl by The Chi-Lites is a romantic ballad about a man who depends on his woman for love and feels lost without her. The song expresses the vulnerability and anxiety he feels about losing the love of his life. The first verse depicts the fear and desperation of the man as he pleads with his woman not to leave him because he is helpless and has no clue how to find love on his own. He recognizes that he cannot survive without her and is lost without her guidance. The second verse shows how much he relies on her for emotional support and comfort. He feels like he is out of place and alone without her by his side, and he does not know how to navigate the world alone. The chorus repeats his sentiments, emphasizing the pain and confusion he feels about the situation. The final verse shows him coming to terms with the reality that she may leave him and that he must move on without her.
The song Oh Girl was written by Eugene Record and produced by Record and Richard Tufo in 1971. The Chi-Lites recorded the song at Brunswick Recording Studio in Chicago, Illinois. The single was released in April 1972, and it peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart. The song was their biggest hit and became a classic of the soul genre. Oh Girl was covered by many artists, including Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, and Paul Young. The song has been used in various films, TV shows, and commercials, and it remains a popular love song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, girl
The Chi-Lites start the song by addressing the girl they love.
I'd be in trouble if you left me now
The Chi-Lites express how much they depend on the girl and how much they fear losing her.
'Cause I don't know where to look for love
The Chi-Lites confess that they have no idea where to find love if the girl were to leave them.
I just don't know how
The Chi-Lites also admit the difficulty they face in learning how to acquire love.
How I depend on you
The Chi-Lites emphasize their dependence on the girl for love and support.
To give me love when I need it
The Chi-Lites state that they expect the girl to provide them with love when they need it.
Right on time you would always be
The Chi-Lites praise the girl for always coming through for them when they needed her the most.
All my friends call me a fool
The Chi-Lites admit that their friends often ridicule them for their dependence on the girl.
They say, 'Let the woman take care of you'
The Chi-Lites convey the advice their friends give them, which is to let the woman take care of them.
So I, I try to be hip and think like the crowd
The Chi-Lites say that they attempt to be cool like everyone else, despite being reliant on the girl, just to avoid being teased by their friends.
But even the crowd can't help me now, ohh
The Chi-Lites realize that the crowd won't be able to assist them through their love struggles.
Tell me what am I gonna do
The Chi-Lites express their confusion and desperation as to how to handle their love situation.
I know I've got a guilty face
The Chi-Lites admit that they feel ashamed for their reliance on the girl and for being unable to find love on their own.
Girl, I feel so out of place, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
The Chi-Lites feel like they don't belong due to their inability to find love without the girl's assistance.
Don't know where to go and who to see, yeah
The Chi-Lites are lost and uncertain about where they can find love without the girl's help.
I guess I better go
The Chi-Lites admit that leaving and distancing themselves from the girl might be the best solution for them.
I can save myself a lot of useless tears
The Chi-Lites believe that avoiding the girl will save them from future heartache and tears.
Pain will double if you leave me now
The Chi-Lites state that their pain will be doubled if the girl leaves them.
And I don't, I don't know how
The Chi-Lites admit once again that they have no clue how to handle love by themselves.
Why do I love you so? Yeah
The Chi-Lites wonder why they love the girl so much despite feeling helpless and lost without her.
Better be on my way, I can't stay, yeah
The Chi-Lites decide that leaving and moving on from the girl is their best option.
Uh-huh
An expression of agreement or confirmation.
Have you ever seen such a helpless man? Oh no
The Chi-Lites acknowledge how hopeless they feel without the girl and express their despair.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eugene Record
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind