A Lonely Man
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
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Doo...doo...doo...
You better let me tell you
Ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...
Doo...doo...doo...
You better let me tell you
You know some time ago our pathways parted
Now you may have found bliss
But I found regret
Maybe you can smile, maybe even laugh
Yeah, but all the while
I'm trying to forget
Tears cannot express my grief nor words my loneliness
For they can only tell apart
Let my heart tell you the rest
I would season every day of my life with you
You better let me tell you
I would show you just what it means to be true, girl
You better let me tell you
'Cause after love has come and gone, baby, I'm the lonely one
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh... [Ooh...ooh...]
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh... [Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...]
But why should a man be lonely
[Why should a man be lonely, why should a man be lonely]
When he had someone like you
How can I make you believe
That I got to have you, baby [Got to have you, baby]
Yes, I got to have you, baby [Got to have you, baby]
Oh, I got to have you, baby [Got to have you, baby]
I would sweeten every hour of my day with you
You better let me tell you
I would give you all the things a good lady would need
You better let me tell you
For you I?d save up all of my time, give you every dime
For you, girl, you better let me tell you
'Cause after love has come and gone, baby, I'm the lonely one
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh... [Ooh...ooh...]
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh... [Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...]
But why should a man be lonely
[Why should a man be lonely, why should a man be lonely]
When he had someone like you
How can I make you believe
That I got to have you, baby [Got to have you, baby]
Yes, I got to have you, baby [Got to have you, baby]
Oh, I got to have you, baby [Got to have you, baby]
I got to travel alone
Down life's highway
Searching faces, some old, some new
Seeking someone whom I need the most
I know there can't be two
Yeah, I'm searching for someone
Who's the closest thing to you
Gotta go on, gotta go on
I'm so lonely, I gotta go, I'm so lonely, gotta go, yeah...
Oh, I just gotta go
I said, baby, baby, baby, baby, oh
I just-just-just-just got to go (I've got to go, I've got to go)
I'm so lonely (Hey), I gotta go (Oh), I'm so lonely, gotta go, yeah...
(Gotta go on, yeah, yeah)
(Oh, I gotta go, I gotta go, I just gotta go)
Gotta go on, gotta go on
I'm so lonely, I gotta go, I'm so lonely, yeah...yeah
I've just gotta go
Hey, hey, got to, got to, oh, I got to, I just to go on
(I've got to go, I've got go)
I'm so lonely (Hey), I gotta go (Oh)
The Chi-Lites’ song, A Lonely Man, is a heartbreaking ballad that tells the story of a man who lost the love of his life, but still can’t move on. It’s a story about the pain of unrequited love and the despair of searching for someone who can replace the one who got away. The opening verse speaks about the narrator and his former lover who have gone their separate ways. While the woman may have moved on and found happiness, the narrator is still struggling to forget her. He is alone, regretful, and deeply saddened by the loss of what they once had.
The chorus repeats the phrase, “Why should a man be lonely when he has someone like you?” The narrator is addressing his former lover, trying to convince her to come back to him. He offers to give her everything she needs, to sweeten every hour of her day, and to love her wholly and completely. He ultimately recognizes that he cannot convince her or make her believe, and he must continue his search for a love that can heal his broken heart. The song ends with the narrator on his own, still searching for a love he can never quite replace.
Overall, the song is a poignant and powerful exploration of the pain of lost love and the desperate longing to feel that connection once again. The lyrics are incredibly emotional and raw, with a unique and powerful delivery from the lead singer. It’s easy to see why the song has endured for so long and continues to resonate with listeners today.
Line by Line Meaning
You better let me tell you
The singer wants to convey something important
You know some time ago our pathways parted
The singer is referring to a past relationship that ended
Now you may have found bliss
The singer assumes that his former partner has moved on and found happiness
But I found regret
The singer admits to feeling regret over the way things ended
Maybe you can smile, maybe even laugh
The singer acknowledges that his former partner may seem happy now
Yeah, but all the while, I'm trying to forget
Despite this, the singer is still struggling to forget about the past
Tears cannot express my grief nor words my loneliness
The singer is saying that his pain is so great that words and tears cannot convey it adequately
For they can only tell apart
Words and tears can only communicate part of what the singer is feeling
Let my heart tell you the rest
The singer wants to communicate the full extent of his emotions and feelings
I would season every day of my life with you
The singer would do everything in his power to make his former partner happy if they were still together
I would show you just what it means to be true, girl
The singer is emphasizing that he would be a faithful partner if given the chance
'Cause after love has come and gone, baby, I'm the lonely one
The singer is expressing that even after the relationship has ended, he is still alone and unhappy
But why should a man be lonely when he had someone like you
The singer is wondering why he is still alone when he had such a wonderful partner in the past
How can I make you believe that I got to have you, baby
The singer is expressing to his former partner that he still feels strongly about them
I would sweeten every hour of my day with you
The singer would make every moment with his partner feel special and enjoyable
I would give you all the things a good lady would need
The singer is emphasizing that he would be a good partner who would take care of his loved one's needs
For you, I'd save up all of my time, give you every dime
The singer is willing to go to great lengths to make his former partner happy
'Cause after love has come and gone, baby, I'm the lonely one
The singer reiterates that he is still alone and unhappy without his former partner
I got to travel alone down life's highway
The singer is expressing that he now has to move forward in life without his former partner
Searching faces, some old, some new
The singer is trying to find someone new to share his life with
Seeking someone whom I need the most
The singer is looking for a partner who he feels a deep emotional connection with
I know there can't be two
The singer understands that he can't be with two people at once and needs to make a choice
Yeah, I'm searching for someone who's the closest thing to you
The singer is expressing that he is hoping to find someone who reminds him of his former partner
Gotta go on, gotta go on
The singer is expressing that he needs to keep moving forward in life, even if it is difficult
I'm so lonely, I gotta go, I'm so lonely, gotta go, yeah...
The singer is expressing that he is lonely and needs to move on in life
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EUGENE RECORD, J. EDWARD HAYCRAFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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
DEVINE JUSTICE ALLAH!!
One of the best harmonizing groups ever.Right up there with The Dells.
Wymell
Giving you must have been from shy town regardless of whatever town show you right
bunnyoneful
@Michael L Ray, Goodman and Browm AKA the Moments, they all sound good to me!! And let's not forget the Dramatics!
Michael L
What about the Manhattans & Ray , Goodman & Brown ?!
Randy Thomas
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!
Brock Cureton
CHICAGO
Donald Clark
45 years later... these harmonies make me feel good and takes me back to my innocence.
John Robertson
the best
Cecilia Diana Francis
teenage love was alive and well.
CJ Jeanie
Ohhh My; I remember my Big brother growing up getting ready for school playing this. Wow, over 45 years later still sound sooo GOOD!!! Thanks for posting