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
Don't Let Me Be the Man My Daddy Was
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than every star in the sky
With that look of forgiveness
That's always in his eyes
But gentle as a lamb
He gave up so much
To make me just what I am and, oh
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
When I was young
Sometimes foolishly I played
But he reached out and, oh
Showed me the way
Now he's only human
And bound to make mistakes
But it was all right
By the moment I would awake and, oh
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
Sometimes I hope
I don't live to see the day
When he reaches down
And take them both away
And look at my children
Sometimes foolishly they play
Let me live long enough
Let me show them the way
My clothes were sometimes untidy
And that bed was never made
But mom and dad would scold me good
Never doubted I've made the grade
But now that I'm a man
I ask the Lord up above
Please let me raise my children right
And be the man my daddy was and, oh
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
He was a good man
He was a poor man
Oh, let me be
The Chi-Lites' song Let Me Be The Man My Daddy Was is a heartwarming tribute to a kind and loving father. The lyrics express the deep respect and admiration the singer has for his dad, who is described as being worth more than every star in the sky. His father's forgiveness is also highlighted, shown by the look that's always in his eyes. Despite working hard, the father is gentle and gave up a lot to make the singer who he is. The chorus drives home the point of the song, with the singer requesting to be like his dad, to be the man his daddy was.
The verses go on to recount how the father helped guide the singer when he was young, sometimes foolishly playing. The father's humanity is also acknowledged, with the realization that he's bound to make mistakes. Nevertheless, the singer's faith in his father remains unshaken. The song tugs at the heartstrings, especially when the singer expresses hope that he'll be able to raise his children right and be like his father.
Line by Line Meaning
He's worth more
The singer's father has immeasurable value to him.
Than every star in the sky
His father's worth is indescribable and impossible to measure in comparison to anything else.
With that look of forgiveness
The singer's father consistently conveys an expression of forgivingness.
That's always in his eyes
The expression of forgiveness in his father's eyes is constant and unwavering.
He works so hard
The artist's father is a diligent and hardworking man.
But gentle as a lamb
His father's nature is soft and tender like that of a lamb.
He gave up so much
The singer's father sacrificed a lot for his children's well-being.
To make me just what I am and, oh
The father's sacrifices are what molded the artist into who he is now.
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
Oh, let me be
The man my daddy was
The artist aspires to be like his father and follow in his footsteps.
When I was young
Sometimes foolishly I played
But he reached out and, oh
Showed me the way
As a child, the son made mistakes but the father was always there to guide him and show him the right path.
Now he's only human
And bound to make mistakes
But it was all right
By the moment I would awake and, oh
The father, being human, isn't perfect and is prone to making mistakes. However, his love and care for his son are unwavering.
Sometimes I hope
I don't live to see the day
When he reaches down
And take them both away
The artist fears the thought of losing his father and hopes he passes away before his children do.
And look at my children
Sometimes foolishly they play
Let me live long enough
Let me show them the way
The singer hopes to live long enough to guide his own children, the way his father guided him.
My clothes were sometimes untidy
And that bed was never made
But mom and dad would scold me good
Never doubted I've made the grade
As a child, the singer was scolded for not always having tidy clothes or an unmade bed, but his parents never doubted his academic success.
But now that I'm a man
I ask the Lord up above
Please let me raise my children right
And be the man my daddy was and, oh
As an adult, the singer prays to be able to emulate his father's parenting and raise his own children well.
He was a good man
He was a poor man
Oh, let me be
Despite being poor, the artist's father was a great man and the artist hopes to be like him.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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