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
Lonely Man
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 Lonely Man is a heart-wrenching ballad that reveals the story of a man who has lost his love and now lives in loneliness. The song is carried by the soulful and emotional delivery of lead singer Eugene Record, whose vocals convey the pain and desperation of the lyrics. The song's opening lines set the tone, as the singer pleas to be heard: "You better let me tell you." He then goes on to describe how his life has been since his lover left, saying that while she may have found happiness, he is consumed by regret and can't stop thinking about her. He suggests that tears and words are insufficient to express his grief and loneliness and that only his heart can reveal the depth of his despair. He promises to make every day of his life better with her and to be true to her.
The song's chorus emphasizes the singer's loneliness, repeating the refrain "But why should a man be lonely / When he had someone like you." He pleads with his former lover to believe him when he tells her that he needs her, that he would do anything for her, and that he's still searching for someone who's the closest thing to her. The song's emotional climax comes in the final verses when the singer admits defeat and says, "I've just gotta go," as he realizes that he can't go on living without her.
Overall, The Chi-Lites' Lonely Man is a timeless and powerful ballad that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss. The pain, desperation, and regret of the lyrics are deeply moving, and the song's soulful delivery makes it an unforgettable musical experience.
Line by Line Meaning
You better let me tell you
I need to explain something to you
You know some time ago our pathways parted
We went our separate ways a while back
Now you may have found bliss
You may have found happiness
But I found regret
But I feel regret
Maybe you can smile, maybe even laugh
Maybe you can be happy
Yeah, but all the while
But at the same time
I'm trying to forget
I'm trying to forget
Tears cannot express my grief nor words my loneliness
I am too sad to cry and too lonely to express my feelings in words
For they can only tell apart
Words and tears are not enough
Let my heart tell you the rest
Let my feelings speak for me
I would season every day of my life with you
I would make every day of my life better with you
I would show you just what it means to be true, girl
I would prove my love to you
'Cause after love has come and gone, baby, I'm the lonely one
After our love ended, I'm the one who feels lonely
But why should a man be lonely
Why should a man be alone
When he had someone like you
When he had someone like you in his life
How can I make you believe
How can I make you trust me
That I got to have you, baby
That I need you
I would sweeten every hour of my day with you
I would make every moment with you better
I would give you all the things a good lady would need
I would provide for you and give you what you deserve
For you I?d save up all of my time, give you every dime
I would do anything for you and give you all that I have
Yeah, I'm searching for someone
I'm looking for someone
Who's the closest thing to you
Who is most like you
Gotta go on
I have to move forward
I'm so lonely, I gotta go
I feel so alone, I have to leave
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EUGENE RECORD, J. EDWARD HAYCRAFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donald Clark
45 years later... these harmonies make me feel good and takes me back to my innocence.
Cecilia Diana Francis
teenage love was alive and well.
John Robertson
the best
Derrick Edney
This is a true love song that will outlast the age of time! The Chi-lites were the 70's R&B musical giants and did put forth some memorable love songs, but A LONELY MAN proved to be their best song EVER! Thanks for the post!
Charles Perry-Kelly
Sing on!
Six Three
Classic Chi-lites. This song brings out the true meaning of relationships good and bad. Let the lyrics tell you the rest.
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
Realmusiclover1957
By far one of the most harmonious groups in the industry & most under-rated. If you really listen to The Chi-Lites you will notice they have the most perfect tone in their vocal illustrations.
Johnny Campbell
For sure
DEVINE JUSTICE ALLAH!!
One of the best harmonizing groups ever.Right up there with The Dells.