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
There Will Never Be Any Peace
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Until God is at the conference table
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
Men are runnin' from land to land
Tryin' to make things alright
Holding meeting after meeting, constantly reaching
For what they maybe thinking is right
Everybody has a plan
Ain't that just a man
People can't you understand?
We gotta tell 'em
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
What went on in the dark
Has come to light
Tell me who's to blame
And what's his name?
You can point your finger
But you gotta remember
What was done was done by a man
So we gotta tell 'em
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
There will never be any peace
Until God is seated at the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
Oh yeah, until God is seated
(There will never be any peace, until God)
At the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
God only needs
(There will never be any peace)
God seeing it [Incomprehensible]
(Until God)
Every body sing together
(He's at the conference table)
There will never be any peace
No, no, peace
(Until God)
Until he is seated at the conference table
(He's at the conference table)
There will never be any peace
So sing a little prayer now
(Until God, He's at the conference table)
Everybody
(There will never be any peace until God
He's at the conference table)
Holding hand in hand
(There will never be any peace)
All over the land
(Until God)
He's at the conference table
The Chi-Lites's song "There Will Never Be Any Peace" emphasizes the lack of peace in our world due to the absence of God at the conference table. The song uses a metaphorical setting of a conference table to represent diplomatic meetings between countries to negotiate and solve conflicts. The lyrics convey the message that despite continuous efforts from human beings to achieve peace and work out their differences, it is impossible to do so without the presence of God.
In the opening lines, the song introduces the central idea that true peace can only be achieved when God is present. It emphasizes the need for divine intervention and guidance to resolve conflicts, which human beings alone cannot resolve. The verse "Men are runnin' from land to land, Tryin' to make things alright, Holding meeting after meeting, constantly reaching" emphasizes the efforts of people in power to resolve conflicts but failed to do so without God's guidance.
The verse "What went on in the dark, Has come to light, Tell me who's to blame, And what's his name?" talks about exposing the wrongdoings of people in power, but it also points out that humans are responsible for causing conflicts. The song suggests that humans should acknowledge their faults and seek God's guidance to resolve conflicts for lasting peace.
Line by Line Meaning
There will never be any peace
Peace is a possibility that will never come true
Until God is at the conference table
Only the presence of God can bring peace
There will never be any peace
Peace is not achievable
Until God is seated at the conference table
Only God's participation in peace talks can make peace a reality
(He's at the conference table)
God's presence is required to make peace possible
Men are runnin' from land to land
People are trying to solve problems in different places
Tryin' to make things alright
Trying to fix things
Holding meeting after meeting, constantly reaching
People are having many meetings in the hope of finding solutions
For what they maybe thinking is right
People are trying to find what they believe to be the right solution
Everybody has a plan
Everyone has an idea of how to solve a problem
Ain't that just a man
Human nature is such that problems continue to exist
People can't you understand?
People need to comprehend the need for God to be present to make peace possible
We gotta tell 'em
We need to spread this message about God's role in achieving peace
What went on in the dark
Something hidden that was not known
Has come to light
The secret has been revealed
Tell me who's to blame
Assigning responsibility for something that went wrong
And what's his name?
Asking for the name of the person blamed
You can point your finger
You can blame someone else
But you gotta remember
But don't forget
What was done was done by a man
A human being is responsible for the decision/actions taken
So we gotta tell 'em
We need to spread the message about how peace can be achieved
Oh yeah, until God is seated
God's presence is essential
(There will never be any peace, until God)
Only God can provide peace
At the conference table
At the table where decisions are made
God only needs
God is enough
God seeing it [Incomprehensible]
Only God can truly see what is happening
Everybody sing together
Everyone needs to come together to make this happen
All over the land
Everywhere
So sing a little prayer now
Praying can help to make this a reality
Holding hand in hand
People coming together to achieve a common goal
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Mckoy
I was in second form in High School in Jamaica an being big fans of the Chilites in the seventies me and my class mates were always singing this song never really knew how relevant these lyrics were fast forward to this present moment in 2022 and you will see what i mean the world needs to listen to this potent song
Charles Webber
Lead singer Eugene Record left the group to eventually sing gospel! That's what made soul music so strong, it had meaningful lyrics and a spiritual base! Music today is barren and sensual, no lasting power! Thank God for the 60s and 70s!
WHODINI 20
AMEN! That's what I tell my kids
WHODINI 20
I love the Chi-Lites and heard this for the first time on a gospel station and LOVE IT!❤❤
Sandra Mcintyre
Remember as a child I use to listen this song every Saturday Morning while I clean the floor... Great song indeed ❤it
Alicia Gaiter
I like this song it's a true song
LUCKY 472
{-_-} #THECLASSICS Nuff said!! 🔥💯
Sheila Silvera
Amen!! Nothing but truth fantastic timeless music 2 thumbs up!!!
Miracle Morgan
Classic Divine Message until they get it and apply it!
Pam Jackson
I have always loved that song among others from the brilliant Chi lights. I was 13 in 1972 when I started hearing that song, and now I am blessed to be 64 years old today. That was the era of real beautiful songs and great singers. The mess today that is playing, it cannot and will not forever out do, or outshine those great oldies but goodies music. Our oldies but goodies music is forever have gone down in history, outshining anything that has come after it. The crap of today speaks violence, death, no respect for law, or for women influence children's mind in a negative way, and does all other negative drama. What plays today on radio,the internet, and other social media, are not the good rap music that once was. I thank God that I came from the old days of fabulous music when songs, the epitome of great performers, and true emotions, were the order of today. sensational music, absolutely 💯❤❤❤❤ DC