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
Stoned out of My Mind
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playin' around and connivin'
Undesired tears I was cryin'
'Cause sugar coated lies I was buyin'
I was just a backseat driver in a car of love
Goin' wherever you take me
Don't know why I put up with the pain
'Cause nobody else could make me
You got me goin'
(Stoned out of my mind)
You got me goin', hey, hey
(Stoned out of my mind)
You got me goin'
(Stoned out of my mind)
You got me goin', hey, hey
(Stoned out of my mind)
When you led me to the water I drank it
Man, I drank more than I could hold
When you took my mind and body
You know you wanna take my soul
Where can I run
Where can I hide
Who can I talk to
Tell me what, what can I do
You got me goin'
(Stoned out of my mind)
You got me goin', hey, hey
(Stoned out of my mind)
You got me goin'
(Stoned out of my mind)
You got me goin', hey, hey
(Stoned out of my mind)
Hee, you got me goin'
(Stoned out of my mind)
You got me goin', hey hey
(Stoned out of my mind)
Been around with every guy in town
(Stoned out of my mind)
Funny but I just can't put you down
(Stoned out of my mind)
The Chi-Lites' song "Stoned out of My Mind" tells the story of a man who has been deceived by his lover, causing him to feel lost and powerless in the relationship. The lyrics describe the pain and frustration he feels upon discovering his lover's lies and the struggles he faces to move on from the toxic relationship.
The opening lyrics reveal the man's vulnerability upon realizing that his lover has been unfaithful. He has been crying tears of disappointment and frustration because he believed the "sugar-coated lies" that she was telling him. Despite the pain he is experiencing, he continues to remain in the "car of love" as a passenger while his lover drives the relationship wherever she wants.
Throughout the song, the man expresses his feelings of being lost and trapped, as if he cannot escape the relationship. He compares himself to a person who is "stoned out of [his] mind," suggesting that the relationship is a drug that he cannot stop using. The repetition of the phrase "you got me goin'" emphasizes his inability to resist his lover's charm and her hold over him.
Overall, the lyrics of "Stoned out of My Mind" express the anguish, frustration, and powerlessness of a man who has been deceived by his lover. The use of metaphors and vivid imagery help to convey the depth of his emotions and the turmoil he is experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, when I found out you were lyin'
When I discovered that you were being dishonest
Playin' around and connivin'
Engaging in deceptive and manipulative behavior
Undesired tears I was cryin'
Crying tears of sadness and disappointment
'Cause sugar coated lies I was buyin'
Because I believed the false and sweet-tasting lies you were telling me
I was just a backseat driver in a car of love
I had no control in the relationship and was just being taken wherever you wanted to go
Goin' wherever you take me
Following your lead and going wherever you went
Don't know why I put up with the pain
I don't understand why I tolerated the emotional pain you caused me
'Cause nobody else could make me
No one else had the power to make me feel the way you did
When you led me to the water I drank it
When you presented me with an opportunity, I took it eagerly
Man, I drank more than I could hold
I took in more than I can handle
When you took my mind and body
When you had control over my thoughts and physical actions
You know you wanna take my soul
You want to have complete control over me, even my very being
Where can I run
I feel trapped and can't escape this situation
Where can I hide
I can't find a safe space to avoid being hurt
Who can I talk to
I have no one to confide in about my struggles
Tell me what, what can I do
I'm at a loss for what action to take to improve my situation
Been around with every guy in town
You've been with many other men before me
Funny but I just can't put you down
I find it ironic that I can't seem to let go of you, despite the hurt you've caused me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cherylcade334
Wow what a great classic. I graduated from high school in 1973 and i remember listening to this song on an R&B radio station. Along with so many other great hits from that time. Songs that still sound good today! ❤ i loved watching Soul Train on Saturday mornings and dancing the day away...good memories/good times.
@shirleybutler2623
OMG Cheryl You just hit a homerun with those comments 🎯I'm back here again can't help it this beautiful classic just moves one's soul in the right direction 4SURE!!!!! We were blessed we grew up on this magical sound so grateful to have lived through this era of beautiful music this kind of music will never go out of style 😂😛💃💖The lyrics that yank ur heartstrings for decades💞💞Do U Agree?? I will always have ode skool music in my blood 4EVER!!!!Can't have it no other way AMEN!!! Cheryl SOUL TRAIN Hell Yeah every Saturday morning. 💃💃💃😛😛 A trip down memory lane good ode days 🎯❤️❤️ I graduated in 1974. Cheryl we may be older now but we definitely young at HEART 🥰🥰🥰🥰Still listening how you July 06 2022
@dortheamcnulty3098
1974
@mikehorgan6025
one of those under-rated classics by the mighty Chi-Lites !!!!!
@derrickpowell5531
Yep!
@ebntje
Actually my favorite from the Chi Lites.
@NOV123
I don’t see how when it almost topped the charts
@dalewimbish1435
N eye neighborhood they were never underrated ❤❤🎉
@shermanw711
Only to those who are not true fans classic !🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@dkt1976dt
It's 50 years later and this song still sounds great, my parents were both 18 in 1973 and we're crazy in love with each other. They would get married a year later in November of 1974 and just celebrated 48 years of marriage.