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
Homely Girl
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the boys used to say,
You looked better in the dark.
Oooh but now they'd give all they learnt in school
To be somewhere in the dark with you (Oh yes they would)
You know the teacher would ask the questions
And you, would always raise your hand
And my eyes would fill with water, inside I'd burn (Oh yes I did)
(Chorus)
Homely girl, She was so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yes lonely girl
Homely girl you used to be lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
There was a boy who used to sit beside you
Who'd like to hold that place his whole life through
Oooh you were beautiful to me
You had a heart no one could ever see, oh yes you did
I was the only one who offered
To carry your books
Took all the stares and laughter
With the dirty looks
But I saw then what they see now
They all want to ask you for a date
They don't know how, they don't know how
(Chorus)
Homely girl, She was so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yes lonely girl
Homely girl you used to be lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
Oooh first they want a chance to hold you
Then they want a chance to try to control you
Oh no, don't you know I got to say it
The Chi-Lites' song "Homely Girl" is a soulful tune that tells the story of a girl who was once considered unattractive by boys, but who is now desired by many. The lyrics describe the hurt and loneliness that the girl felt when she was younger, and how she was constantly overlooked and ridiculed. However, the singer's perspective is unique because he has always seen her beauty and has tried to protect her. He recounts how he would offer to carry her books and shield her from the stares of others.
The chorus expresses the message of the song - that this girl who was once lonely and homely is now a beautiful woman who is still lonely. Even though boys are now interested in her, they don't know how to approach her, and she remains isolated. The repetition of the phrase "You're a beautiful woman oh yeah" emphasizes the singer's admiration for her and his hope that she will soon find happiness.
Overall, the song is a touching reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that true beauty lies within. It encourages listeners to be kind to those who may not fit societal standards and to recognize the value in all people, regardless of their looks.
Line by Line Meaning
It must have broke your poor little heart
It's possible that it damaged your heart emotionally
When the boys used to say, You looked better in the dark.
When boys would tell you that you appeared more attractive in the absence of light
Oooh but now they'd give all they learnt in school To be somewhere in the dark with you (Oh yes they would)
Now they would give up all they learned in school just to be somewhere in the absence of light with you
You know the teacher would ask the questions And you, would always raise your hand Oooh but somehow you never got your turn And my eyes would fill with water, inside I'd burn (Oh yes I did)
The teacher would ask questions and you consistently raised your hand, but somehow you were never selected. This made me feel heartbroken.
Homely girl, She was so lonely You're a beautiful woman oh yes lonely girl Homely girl you used to be lonely You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
You felt very alone and homely before, but now you have become a gorgeous woman
There was a boy who used to sit beside you Who'd like to hold that place his whole life through Oooh you were beautiful to me You had a heart no one could ever see, oh yes you did
A boy used to sit next to you and would have liked that spot for eternity because he found you attractive. You were stunning for me, and you had a hidden heart
I was the only one who offered To carry your books Took all the stares and laughter With the dirty looks But I saw then what they see now They all want to ask you for a date They don't know how, they don't know how
I was the only one to volunteer to carry your books, even when others were making fun of us. I saw then what they see now - that they all want to ask you for a date, but they don't know how.
Oooh first they want a chance to hold you Then they want a chance to try to control you Oh no, don't you know I got to say it
Initially, they want to hold you, but eventually, they try to control you. I have to say it to you, my feelings.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EUGENE RECORD, STANLEY WAYNE MCKENNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gorgeouslady5612
It must have broke your poor little heart
When the boys used to say,
You looked better in the dark.
Oooh but now they'd give all they learnt in school
To be somewhere in the dark with you (Oh yes they would)
You know the teacher would ask the questions
And you, would always raise your hand
Oooh but somehow you never got your turn
And my eyes would fill with water, inside I'd burn (Oh yes I did)
Homely girl, She was so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yes lonely girl
Homely girl you used to be lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
There was a boy who used to sit beside you
Who'd like to hold that place his whole life through
Oooh you were beautiful to me
You had a heart no one could ever see, oh yes you did
I was the only one who offered
To carry your books
Took all the stares and laughter
With the dirty looks
But I saw then what they see now
They all want to ask you for a date
They don't know how, they don't know how
Homely girl, She was so lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yes lonely girl
Homely girl you used to be lonely
You're a beautiful woman oh yeah
Oooh first they want a chance to hold you
Then they want a chance to try to control you
Oh no, don't you know I got to say it.
@johnmccann8319
I was so in love with a girl in school when this song came out.She would come into the classroom and I would be overwhelmed.I daydreamed about her,I could'nt stop thinking about her all day and all night everywhere I went.She was like an Angel sent from heaven.I thought my heart would burst when she was close or had to sit next to me.Her name was Sandy.She never knew and I was so intraverted,too shy to even try to ask her out.This song brings it all back to me.I hope she is happy wherever she is.
@jamieredman5430
Dude, that's beautiful but also real sad. What could have been?
@walterrowan6831
I married a "Homely Girl " we met at 14yrs old. Everybody look good when they are young but as the older she got she didn't look as good BUT she was Ride or Die for me and let me know it. One New Years nite we went to a nite club and I noticed she had put blue eye shadow on and I told her she looked Beautiful to me I could tell it made her night After 51 years of marriage after hearing this song um glad I married Homely Girl cause she passed away 1-11-21 have you seen her hits hard the most......
@davidboyd2131
What that feeling really means is the garden of Eden .The feeling of the holy spirit.The true meaning of human nature when man and woman set eyes on each other and probably in your life you never quite experienced that unbelievable feeling again
@warasrashid5674
Proper person I mega understand,you romantic
@gloriapeebles8484
walter rowan condolences
@mikewalker7463
What 2023 needs is more artist like this. This is real music!
@susanharper3649
if a singer p j carter is reading this loved you singing this to me at the club sunday night loved it x
@spr2420
I think alot of male teens in the 70’s knew of stories like this song, I certainly did, I still know the lady in question, she is and always will be my number one
@stepheneastcoastuk2757
I'm now over 60 years old and I can remember having a slow dance when this amazing track was released