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
Go Away Dream
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shu-dup-shu-do
Go away, dream, ′cause I know you ain't real
You let me see her, but you won′t let me feel
Now her arms will be open, she'll be there until
I try to touch her and I cannot turn again
So I stay awake, just as long as I can
And in an open field, she appears again
I run to kiss her, and the broken heart she sees
I wake up, hugging my pillow, hating reality
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
Now my mother hears me crying, all through the night
She said: "Son, that lady is much too hard in life"
Well, live it too much for me, in life it seems
You've been too much for me, baby, for my dreams
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
I know the reason, he won′t let me have her
Man have submit to her, heaven, here on earth
So even in real life, she′s still just a dream
So when I see her, I turn my head and sing
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
Go away, dream - ooh-ooh-ooh
Go away, dream - yeah-yeah-yeah
The Chi-Lites’ “Go Away Dream” speaks of the pain of unrequited love and the longing to hold on to a dream that is not real. The lead singer pleads with his dream to go away because he knows it is not real and it only lets him see the woman he longs for but does not allow him to feel. The dream only brings him pain and he is unable to touch her or turn back time. He stays awake for as long as he can to avoid the dream but she continues to appear in his life as he longs for her. This continues to be his reality, causing him to hug his pillow and hate reality.
Throughout the song, the lead singer’s mother expresses her disapproval of his love interest and tells him that the lady is too hard in life. Nonetheless, the lead singer continues to long for her, and he sings of the reason why he cannot have her. In his dreams, she appears as a beautiful soul who he wants to hold and cherish, but in reality, she is unattainable. Thus, he begs for his dream to go away so that he can focus on reality and come to terms with the fact that he may never have the woman he desires.
Overall, “Go Away Dream” is a beautiful yet melancholic song that speaks of the pain of lost love and the longing to hold on to something that is not real. It highlights the feeling of longing and the difficulties of accepting reality when our dreams are shattered.
Line by Line Meaning
Go away, dream
The singer is addressing their dream and telling it to leave them alone.
Shu-dup-shu-do
This line could be interpreted as an onomatopoeia indicating the sound of a dream dissipating or disappearing.
'Cause I know you ain't real
The singer recognizes that their dream is just a fantasy and has no basis in reality.
You let me see her, but you won't let me feel
The dream allows the artist to see the person they desire, but they are unable to physically touch or engage with them.
Now her arms will be open, she'll be there until
In the dream, the object of the artist's affection is available and waiting for them.
I try to touch her and I cannot turn again
As soon as the singer attempts to reach out and connect with their love interest, the dream ends and they wake up.
So I stay awake, just as long as I can
The singer tries to resist sleep and stay awake in order to avoid their dreams.
And in an open field, she appears again
Despite the artist's efforts to avoid dreaming, their mind conjures up the object of their desire again.
I run to kiss her, and the broken heart she sees
The artist attempts to engage with their love interest in the dream but is ultimately rejected, resulting in heartbreak.
I wake up, hugging my pillow, hating reality
The dream ends, and the artist is left with the harsh reality that their love interest is unattainable.
Now my mother hears me crying, all through the night
The singer's mother hears them crying in their sleep, indicating that their dreams are affecting them emotionally.
She said: 'Son, that lady is much too hard in life'
The artist's mother advises them that the person they desire may be too difficult for them to actually have in real life.
Well, live it too much for me, in life it seems
The singer feels that life is already too much to bear without the added stress of their unrequited love.
You've been too much for me, baby, for my dreams
The singer admits that their dream is too much for them to handle and is causing them more pain than happiness.
I know the reason, he won't let me have her
The singer believes that fate or a higher power is preventing them from being with the person they desire.
Man have submit to her, heaven, here on earth
The artist believes that their love interest is so magnificent that even in reality, they are unattainable and have an otherworldly quality.
So when I see her, I turn my head and sing
In order to avoid heartbreak, the artist tries to distance themselves from their love interest, both in dreams and reality.
Writer(s): Eugene Record, Stan Mckenney
Contributed by Ellie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@snhongo1
These Guy surely knew how to sing.....this is amazingly beautiful 🎵🎶🎵🤗🥰🥰.. .
@B1ackReign
Lyrics!!! Wow! Poetry on a dope track. A true classic!
@stanleyclark843
Truly A Smooth Groove From Their Wonderful Self Titiled Album That Was Magnificent From The Begining To The End.
@danielapagliaro8025
This tune is still so good!
@stewartops
Eugene Record...Straight Legendary nuff said! 💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯...and check the piano runs on this track...CRAZY!! R I P Gene Record...Master!!!!
@brutalbrunzwik1332
So Smooth & Soulful back seat diploma on this thanks to pops & OG's giving it play
@E_Rico
We need this type of music back
@user-zm2oj9kv9l
❤❤❤❤
@farouk414
chi-lites best tune ever -dont u agree raregrooveman
@stewartops
It's definitely in they top 3 tracks...no specific order...Gene Record at his best...R I P King! You did it right ✅ 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯💯💯