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 me a dream
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That lived across the street
And you're the same old girl, yeah
That I was dying to meet
Well, now you're running around
And you think that I don't know
And you know if I found out
And it hurts me so bad
Whoa, oh, oh, yeah
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody, please
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody, please
Tell me this is a dream
And I remember
When you kissed me
You said you loved me so much, girl
Said our love would always be
Now you're running around
You think that I don't know
And you know if I find out
It's gonna hurt me so
And it hurts me so bad
Whoa, oh, oh, yeah
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody, please
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody, please
Tell me this is a dream
You know, I'm just like a guy right now
That don't want to face the reality
Of the one I love, believe in me
You know, loving you too much
Not wanting you to realize
That you're in love with someone else
Whoa, oh, oh, yeah
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody
Tell me this is a dream
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody, please
Tell me this is a dream
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody
Tell me this is a dream
Somebody
The Chi-Lites' song "Give me a dream" is a heart-wrenching plea from a man who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that the woman he loves, who said she loved him too, is cheating on him. The opening lines set the scene of familiarity, as the woman is the "same old girl that lived across the street" and the man had been "dying to meet" her. However, he now realizes that she is running around and thinks he doesn't know, but he does. The pain of this realization is expressed in the line "And it hurts me so bad." The man then pleads with someone to "tell me this is a dream," emphasizing his inability to accept the reality of the situation.
In the second verse, the man reminisces about the times when the woman had professed her love for him and said it would always be that way. Now, he is struggling with the knowledge that she is seeing someone else, and it will hurt him so much if he finds out. He admits that he is avoiding facing the reality of losing the woman he loves, as he doesn't want to accept that she is in love with someone else.
Overall, the song depicts the sense of disorientation and despair that comes with realizing that a relationship you put so much effort into is crumbling. The man's repetition of the plea to be told that it is all a dream emphasizes the intensity of the pain he is feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the same old girl
You are the girl who lived across the street from me before.
That lived across the street
You resided on the same street I lived on before this unpleasantness.
And you're the same old girl, yeah
You're the same girl I had always been curious about.
That I was dying to meet
I had long anticipated the chance to meet you.
Well, now you're running around
Now you're gallivanting with others.
And you think that I don't know
And you seem to believe that I am oblivious to your behavior.
And you know if I found out
But, deep down, you realize that if I were to find out about your indiscretions,
It's gonna hurt me so
it would deeply wound me emotionally.
And it hurts me so bad
The mere thought of it is causing me immense pain.
Whoa, oh, oh, yeah
This is taking a toll on me.
Tell me this is a dream
Please, someone, tell me that this is not real.
Somebody, please
Anyone, I beg you.
And I remember
I still have memories of a different time.
When you kissed me
Particularly, the nights we spent together.
You said you loved me so much, girl
You used to affirm how deeply you cared for me.
Said our love would always be
You promised that our affection for each other would never waver.
You think that I don't know
You are still under the impression that I am unaware of your betrayal.
You know if I find out
Perhaps you are even apprehensive that I might stumble upon the truth.
It's gonna hurt me so
You realize that it would devastate me if I were to discover the details.
Tell me this is a dream
Please tell me that this is not happening to me.
You know, I'm just like a guy right now
I feel like any other person in a similar predicament.
That don't want to face the reality
A person afraid to confront the facts of the matter.
Of the one I love, believe in me
The one I have loved and believed in for so long.
You know, loving you too much
My feeling of love for you is overwhelming.
Not wanting you to realize
I fear that you might become aware of how much I care for you.
That you're in love with someone else
I can not bear the thought of losing you to someone else.
Tell me this is a dream
Please, someone, tell me that this is just a figment of my imagination.
Tell me this is a dream
I beg of you, please.
Tell me this is a dream
Just help me confirm this is not real.
Somebody
Anyone.
Tell me this is a dream
Please.
Somebody, please
I implore someone to help me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM HART, WILLIAM A. HART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tonyrussell879
Best music evverr
@annsam2111
I absolutely adore this song 😍😍😍
@waltervaught8896
The Greatest Entertainer The EUGENE Record writer, producer, composer Eugenious
@dohennorris2227
You Know the Funny thing is, GO AWAY DREAM is another Beautiful song.
@waltervaught8896
THE GREAT EUGENE B RECORD GENIUS EXTRAORDINAIRE R.I.P.
@tonyrussell879
My favorite song of all times one hell of an upliftter loving it
@euphrates556
Heavenly.
@aahmonddelite690
Beau-ti-fullllllllll...💖
@aahmonddelite690
I'm back again...This Song is Fitting and Beautiful for life! Thank you remaining OG member Marshall, it was truly a pleasure...💖😉
@jacquelineburke1164
WERE YOU A DREAM, OR WERE YOU FOR REAL. I AM COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY.