The Chi-Lites were a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early… Read Full Bio ↴The Chi-Lites were a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period to not come from Memphis or Philadelphia. They were led by Eugene Record, and scored eleven Top Ten R&B hits, in the early part of the decade.
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
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
My First Mistake
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'My First Mistake' by these artists:
Alecia Nugent The first mistake I made was falling in love with…
Falling Decibyls I heard you're doing okay Knowing that you miss me That wasn…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Chi-Lites:
(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People For God´s sake, you got to give more power to…
A Letter to Myself Write a letter, write another letter Write a letter, write …
A Lonely Man Ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah... Doo.…
All My Life I remember, oh yeah The signs of springtime There were bir…
Are You My Woman Seems to be a misunderstanding Bout who you belong to I'm ti…
Coldest Day of My Life I remember, oh yeah The signs of springtime There were bir…
Come And Get It To the moon Man walks on it Teach the children Else we lose…
Don't Let Me Be the Man My Daddy Was He's worth more Than every star in the sky With that look…
For God For God's sake, you got to give more power to…
Getting Back At You There's something that I want to give you I'm gonna give…
Give It Away Give it away Ooh, hoo, give it away Give it away Ooh, hoo,…
Give me a dream You're the same old girl That lived across the street And yo…
Give More Power to the People For God's sake, you got to give more power to…
Go Away Dream Go away, dream Shu-dup-shu-do Go away, dream, ′cause I know…
Have You Seen Her Ah ah ah ah ah ah Ooh Ah ah ah ah…
Have You Seen Her (Live) One month ago today I was happy as a lark But now…
Have You Seen Her? Ah ah ah ah ah ah Ooh Ah ah ah ah…
Here I Am Ready or not here I come You can't hide, gonna find…
Hold on to Your Dreams Oh yeah I tell you somethin' I think you'll understand When …
Homely Girl It must have broke your poor little heart When the…
Hot On A Thing Why was I attracted to you Tell me what man…
I Found Sunshine I found sunshine When I found you, oh, baby I found sunshi…
I Heard It Through the Grapevine I bet you're wonderin' how I knew 'Bout your plans to…
I Like To Live The Love Spent forty-eight dollars last night at the county fair I…
I Like Your Lovin Friends of mine try to change My mind about loving you The…
I Like Your Lovin' Friends of mine try to change My mind about loving you They…
I Never Had It So Good Ah, yeah, I felt like a king Standing in front of…
I wanna pay you back There's something that I want to give you I'm gonna give…
I Want to Pay You Back (For Loving Me) album: For God's Sake Give More Power To The People…
Inner City Blues Dah, dah, dah, dah Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah Dah,…
Intro Ten Nine Eight Seven Six Five Four Three Two One Let’s go He…
It's Time for Love Showed that I loved you When you gave me your heart I…
Let He's worth more Than every star in the sky With that look…
Let Me Be The Man My Daddy Was He's worth more Than every star in the sky With that look…
Letter To Myself Write a letter, write another letter Write a letter, write …
Lonely Man Ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah...ah... Doo…
Love At Its Best Spent forty-eight dollars last night at the county fair I…
Love Is Love is, love is Love is what we got goin', baby Love…
Love me Can't buy me love, love Can't buy me love I'll…
Low Key Real shit real... Oh my holy moly, people act like my…
Marriage License Ooh ooh ooh ooh Ooh ooh ooh ooh Ooh ooh ooh ooh Ooh…
Me And You There's something that I want to give you I'm gonna give…
My Whole World Ended Last week my life had meaning, it was beautiful and…
Never Had It So Good Ah, yeah, I felt like a king Standing in front of…
Oh Girl Oh, girl I'd be in trouble if you left me now 'Cause…
Oh Girl (Re-recorded Version) Oh, girl, I'd be in trouble if you left me…
Oh Girl! Oh, girl I'd be in trouble if you left me now 'Cause…
One Man Band Oooh... Ooooh) All my life I′ve been alone but I never reall…
Pay You Back There's something that I want to give you I'm gonna give…
Sally Sally! (Uuh) Talking ′bout Sally (Yeah) Sally! Talking 'bout…
Stoned out of My Mind Baby, when I found out you were lyin' Playin' around and…
That's How Long Sự thật thường đau lòng Lời nói cũng bằng không Yêu chi…
The Coldest day of My Life I remember, oh yeah The signs of springtime There were bir…
The Only One For Me There's something that I want to give you I'm gonna give…
There Will Never Be Any Peace There will never be any peace Until God is at the…
There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Ta There will never be any peace Until God is at the…
There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated At the Conference Table) There will never be any peace Until God is seated At the…
to change my love You say my cologne Reminds you of someone else That's kinda …
Toby Oh, oh, oh, I remember when we were kids We shared…
Too Good to Be Forgotten Too good to be forgotten Too good to be forgotten. Benny was…
Too Late To Turn Back Now My mama told me, she said, "Son, please beware There's this…
Trouble's-A-Comin' Ohhh, I can hear the people talkin' I can see the…
Try My Side You say my cologne Reminds you of someone else That's kind…
We Are Neighbors We are neighbors (Yeah, yeah, yeah) We are neighbors Whet…
We Need Order The world today is in so many pieces People searching for…
Yes I'm Ready FOR THE SCHOOL HOUSE ACROSS TOWN THE CITY PARK AND PLAYGROUN…
You And I There's something that I want to give you I'm gonna give…
You Don't Have to Go well you don't have to go you just wanna see me go…
You Got to Be the One If by chance you feel That you don't need me Whoa, oh…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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THE FUNK PUNK
WOW, WOW and double WOW, If there's one band that can be ARCHIE BELL AND THE DRELLS while still being the CHI- LITES, it's the CHI- LITES, absolutely Archie Bell fantastic.
THE FUNK PUNK
@Cortez Charles cooooooool Instagram lovesoul78
Cortez Charles
That is so SPOT on!
JF
Well stated Fraz! I'm not quite 50 but I was there and house music is a feeling that is not easily described, but if you're house, you know it when you hear it.
shreve99
I totally agree! I was around in the Disco days too and I remember this song well. There was no such thing as "house" music then...maybe someone did a remix of it in later years and called it "house", but this song was absolutely Disco!
RC CARTER
1:55 this song kills it!
Howard Gaston
Hell yeah!!!!
DAVID WOLF
Bill Summers said it best in 1981: "Call It What You Want!" Really worship at the altar of the Chi-lites little 7" dance gems on Brunswick, but this song kicks it for 1977! Thank you for posting this classic dance track still relevant to today!!!!!!!!! DAVEDJ
mayena
This is Urban Disco at its most raw yet very classy at the same time.
dirtyedna
@limetwig2007 Finally someone has "distilled"this entire house vs. disco discussion down to something we can all agree with !! Well put ....and thank you.