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
Toby
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We shared all the hurt and tears
No matter what the weather [What the weather, what the weather]
We were always together
Then we grew up and time went on
We became separated
When I went off to school
I went off to school
My sweet Toby waited
Was a sad day
When Toby went away
Was a sad day
When Toby went away
Sad day
Toby went away
Sad day
Toby went away
I came home from Spring vacation
Expected to find my Toby waiting
Called her on her private phone
She didn't answer, something was wrong
I ran all the way to her house
Rang her bell
Her mother answered and told me
To come and sit a spell
I sat down to try to be prepared
For what she?d say
And what she said brought tears to my eyes
I couldn't push away
Toby left on a cloudy
Rainy day
She went to sing with angels
Toby's gone away
It was a sad day
Oh... ho... Toby went away
It was a sad day
When Toby went away
It was a sad day
Oh...oh...when Toby went away
It was a sad day
When Toby went away
Was a sad day
When Toby went away
Was a sad day
When Toby went away
The Chi-Lites’ song “Toby” is a touching tribute to a childhood friend who has passed away. The song starts with the singer reminiscing about the good old days when they were children, sharing all their hurt and tears, and how they were always together no matter the weather. The lyrics then transition to the present as the singer realizes that time has gone on and they have become separated. The singer went off to school, but Toby waited for them, and it was a sad day when Toby went away.
The song then takes a darker turn as the singer returns from spring vacation and finds out that something is wrong with Toby. The singer calls her private phone but gets no answer. They run all the way to her house and are greeted by her mother, who asks them to sit down. The singer prepares themselves for what she’s about to say and what they hear brings tears to their eyes - Toby has passed away. “Toby left on a cloudy rainy day. She went to sing with angels, Toby's gone away.” The song ends on a somber note, with the singer saying “It was a sad day when Toby went away” repeatedly.
This song showcases the power of friendship and the pain of losing someone close. It’s a reminder to cherish those we hold dear and to never take them for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh, oh, I remember when we were kids
I recall our childhood with fondness
We shared all the hurt and tears
We were close and supportive of each other through difficult times
No matter what the weather [What the weather, what the weather]
We stuck together through good and bad times
We were always together
Our bond was strong
Then we grew up and time went on
As we got older, life changed
We became separated
Our paths diverged
When I went off to school
After I went to college
My sweet Toby waited
My loyal friend Toby remained
Was a sad day
It was a day filled with sorrow
When Toby went away
When Toby passed away
I came home from Spring vacation
Upon returning from a trip
Expected to find my Toby waiting
I anticipated seeing my friend upon my return
Called her on her private phone
I tried to contact Toby on her personal line
She didn't answer, something was wrong
There was an issue because Toby didn't pick up
I ran all the way to her house
I hurried to Toby's home
Rang her bell
I pressed the doorbell
Her mother answered and told me
Toby's mother greeted me
To come and sit a spell
She invited me to sit down for a while
I sat down to try to be prepared
I composed myself as best I could
For what she?d say
In preparation for the news she would deliver
And what she said brought tears to my eyes
Her revelation caused me to cry
I couldn't push away
I couldn't ignore my grief
Toby left on a cloudy
Toby passed away on a overcast
Rainy day
and rainy day
She went to sing with angels
Toby has passed away to a better place
Toby's gone away
Toby has passed away
It was a sad day
It was a difficult day
Oh... ho... Toby went away
Toby has passed on
It was a sad day
It was a difficult day
Oh...oh...when Toby went away
When Toby passed, it was a painful loss
Was a sad day
It was a difficult day
When Toby went away
Toby's passing was shattering
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARBARA ACKLIN, EUGENE RECORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rerejones6208
My mom passed away 4 days ago… she was 58. She leaves behind 8 girls 1 boy …36 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I remember being a little girl all 8 of us at that time sitting on her bed she would be singing this song and the man from Galilee. I don’t know who’s putting someone or something off because you have time..well you don’t. Go see that person.. go do that something❤ Most importantly get it right with God you just never know when you’re going to leave here. Life is like a vapor here today and Gone tomorrow 😢
@consuellaturner
Condolences
@JMShaw-sj2wn
Sorry for your loss.
@ChristineHypolite-ht4tx
God Bless
🙏🏽📖🙏🏽
@debrawright9451
Beautiful post ❤️
@Postina93
Takes me back to my childhood bedroom laying on my bed, playing this song over and over again. Writing down the lyrics because I loved it so much. 63 now and love to go back there.
@carolegaynair7975
Oh yea
@suzetelima7889
Eu também
@melvinjames4954
Sister Christina l'm with you listen n to it now one of my favorite sad love songs l'm almost 72 Bday Sept 26
@christymaxwelt934
Me Too 💜💜