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
Marriage License
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
If I could make a wish
And my wish came true
I believe I would have the solution
To make it more clear for you to see
Here is what, here is what my wish would be
I wish that a marriage license
Was just like a driver's license
That expires every two years
With an option to hold
Just in case love doesn't grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Let's say you don't want him
And he felt the same way too
How is it would be all over
And there'd be nothing anyone could do
If this were to be, to be the best
Than no one, no one would ever fail this test
I wish that a marriage license
Was just like a driver's license
That expires every two years
With an option to hold
Just in case love doesn't grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
With so many tears
Shed year after year
I believe this would be the difference
Between Goodbye and I love you, dear
So if you got a good thing
And this you know
You'll think twice or maybe three times
Before you let go
I wish that a marriage license
Was just like a driver's license
That expires every two years
With an option to hold
Just in case love doesn't grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Just in case, just in case love doesn't grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Just in case, just in case love doesn't grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Just in case, just in case love doesn't grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
The Chi-Lites' song "Marriage License" presents the idea of a marriage license that expires every two years. The song starts with the vocalist singing "Ooh ooh ooh ooh" and then continues with the lyrics, "If I could make a wish and my wish came true, I believe I would have the solution to vows that are made when you say, I do." The wish in the song is that a marriage license is like a driver's license- it has an expiration timeframe, and it can be renewed, but it is not forever. The vocalist believes that this would be the difference between "Goodbye and I love you, dear" and that people would think twice or maybe three times before they let go.
The song presents an interesting perspective on marriage- one that many people do not think of. Love is viewed as something that can grow cold, and relationships are viewed as something that can eventually come to an end. The idea of a marriage license expiring every two years can be seen as either something positive- giving people the option to renew their license if their love is still strong, or negative- creating a sense of instability in relationships. Overall, the song is about the uncertainties of love and relationships and the desire to have a solution to make things easier.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could make a wish
If I had the power to make a wish
And my wish came true
And that wish actually got fulfilled
I believe I would have the solution
I think I'd have the answer
To vows that are made when you say, I do
To the promises you make when you get married
To make it more clear for you to see
To help you understand my point better
Here is what, here is what my wish would be
Here's what I would ask for
I wish that a marriage license
I want the legal document that certifies marriage
Was just like a driver's license
To be treated like a driving permit
That expires every two years
That has to be renewed every two years
With an option to hold
With the possibility to renew
Just in case love doesn't grow cold
In case the love gets weaker over time
Let's say you don't want him
Suppose you don't love your partner anymore
And he felt the same way too
And he doesn't love you anymore either
How is it would be all over
The marriage would be finished
And there'd be nothing anyone could do
And it would be irreversible
If this were to be, to be the best
If this was the optimal solution
Than no one, no one would ever fail this test
Then no marriage would ever end in failure
With so many tears
With so much sadness
Shed year after year
That comes year after year
I believe this would be the difference
This change could be significant
Between Goodbye and I love you, dear
Between ending the relationship and still loving each other
So if you got a good thing
So, if you have a great relationship
And this you know
And you're aware of it
You'll think twice or maybe three times
You'll consider the consequences carefully
Before you let go
Before you end the relationship
Just in case, just in case love doesn't grow cold
As a precaution, in case the love fades
Grow cold, grow cold, grow cold
Becomes weaker over time
Contributed by Lauren V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.