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
That's How Long
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lời nói cũng bằng không
Yêu chi rồi tuyệt vọng
Tình trôi như giấc mộng
Lời ngọt hôm qua
Nay sao mật đắng
Nếu không yêu gì
Thì thôi đến nhau chi
Rồi đường khuya lê bước mỏi
Chỉ mình với ta thôi
Yêu đương xa thật rồi
Vì đam mê gọi mời
Người vội buông xuôi
Xem như chẳng có
Bước qua cuộc đời
Dứt bỏ rồi tình tôi
Đau ta đau từng cơn dại
Ta đau cả một đời
Người dẫm nát tim tôi
Xé nát chân tình tôi
Mang con tim đầy nhung nhớ
Trót yêu quá nhiều nên giờ tình quạnh hiu
Người đừng buôn lên tiếng lòng
Sự thật vẫn là không
Bao nhiêu lời mặn nồng
Người ru ta giấc mộng
Giờ còn trong ta
Yêu thương gục ngã
Vết thương trong đời
Vĩnh biệt rồi tình ơi.
The Chi-Lites' song "That's How Long" is a poignant ballad about the pain of lost love. The Vietnamese lyrics translate to "The truth often hurts, words are powerless, loving leads to despair, and love fades like a dream." The song speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the difficulty of moving on.
The lyrics describe the bitter truth of relationships that end, where the words of love that were once sweet become bitter, and the passion that was once shared turns to apathy. The singer is left to wander through the night, feeling lost and alone, as the memories of the past continue to haunt him. Despite the pain, he cannot help but hold onto the memories and the love that he once had.
This song is a reminder that love is not always sweet and easy, and that sometimes the pain of lost love can last a lifetime. It speaks to the human experience of heartbreak and the struggle of moving on.
Line by Line Meaning
Sự thật thường đau lòng
The truth is often painful
Lời nói cũng bằng không
Words are also pointless
Yêu chi rồi tuyệt vọng
Why love if it will end in despair?
Tình trôi như giấc mộng
Love fades away like a dream
Lời ngọt hôm qua
Sweet words from yesterday
Nay sao mật đắng
Now turned bitter
Nếu không yêu gì
If there’s no love
Thì thôi đến nhau chi
Then why bother coming together?
Rồi đường khuya lê bước mỏi
Walked wearily in the dark
Chỉ mình với ta thôi
Alone with myself only
Yêu đương xa thật rồi
Love has become distant
Vì đam mê gọi mời
Because passion calls
Người vội buông xuôi
Someone quickly let go
Xem như chẳng có
Treating it like it was nothing
Bước qua cuộc đời
Moving on with life
Dứt bỏ rồi tình tôi
Abandoned my love
Đau ta đau từng cơn dại
I am hurt by every foolish act
Ta đau cả một đời
I am hurt for a lifetime
Người dẫm nát tim tôi
Someone has trampled on my heart
Xé nát chân tình tôi
Ripped apart my sincerity
Mang con tim đầy nhung nhớ
Carrying a heart full of longing
Trót yêu quá nhiều nên giờ tình quạnh hiu
Loving too much, now left with emptiness
Người đừng buôn lên tiếng lòng
Don't speak from the heart
Sự thật vẫn là không
The truth remains unknown
Bao nhiêu lời mặn nồng
So many sweet words
Người ru ta giấc mộng
Lulling us into a dream
Giờ còn trong ta
Now, it's still within me
Yêu thương gục ngã
Love has fallen
Vết thương trong đời
The wound within my life
Vĩnh biệt rồi tình ơi.
Farewell my love, forever.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Sơn Hạ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Norman Schlongdongovic
That's how long, that's how long
Hi, baby, what's wrong
You look like you've lost your best friend
Tell me, is it something that I've done again
Say what, how long will I love you
Ha, is that all that's bothering you
Remember when we took our vows
And we the words, "Till death do us part"
Well, darling, I meant that with all of my heart
Honey, when our useful days have passed on gone
And our kids have left us all alone
Baby, when a rocking chair is our only company
And all the good times in life are old memories
That's how long I'll love you, and longer
That's how long I'll love you
I'm gonna love you till the end of time
(That's how long, that's how long)
Baby, when a stroll down the hall seems like a nine-mile walk
Girl, I will still say I love you
Honey, when old age creeps upon us so we can hardly talk
I'll still say I love you, baby
I'm gonna love you till the end of time
Nothing in this world is gonna change my mind
Cause that's how long I'll love you, and longer
That's how long I'll love you
I'm gonna love you till the end of time, and longer
That's how long I'll love you
I'm gonna love you till the end of time
Nothing in this world is gonna change my mind
Cause that's how long I'll love you (and hoo, and oh, oh, baby)
That's how long I'll love you (oh)
I'm gonna love you till the end of time (oh, oh, oh)
That's how long, that's how long
I'm gonna love you till the end of time
Nothing in this world is gonna change my mind
Cause that's how long I'll love you (and oh, oh, oh)
That's how long I'll love you (how long I'll love you)
I'm gonna love you till the end of time (that's how long I'll love you)
That's how long, that's how long
I'm gonna love you till the end of time
Nothing in this world is gonna change my mind
Cause that's how long I'll love you (and oh, oh, oh)
That's how long I'll love you
I'm gonna love you till the end of time (the end of time)
That's how long, that's how long (oh)
I'm gonna love you till the end of time (yeah)
The Soothing Movement
Chi Lites made some timeless hits they really touch my soul and break me down
Leslie Ramsay
Real song writers...good singers..all round..good music
LadeeGee Genelle Majied
From 1975, one of the Chi-Lites forgotten gems. I love this song
1hunny
LadeeGee Genelle Majied, I'll bet you, I NEVER forgot it!! Love, Love, LOVE this song!!💝💋🎤🎶🎵🎼💽💿💯💯💯💯💯
ndharris12
My Dad and I used to sing this song together when I was little. This was our song. Good memories! I searched these lyrics for years and couldn't find them. So happy!
Everton Linton
Awesome song love it
Ian Patterson
This song revitalizes the nature of love for you significant other or your wife. Pierces the heart. Love this song
Tino 09
This classic right here... this is Divine.
Tanya Brinkley
I love the way they sing this song. That's how long beautiful singers
Rifle Eyez
This is why I love sampling ngl, finding songs that you never would have found but really become favourites. 1:51 I just vibe man, but the whole song is 10/10.