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
Too Late To Turn Back Now
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
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There's this thing called love, and it's ah ev'rywhere"
And she told me it can break your heart
And put you in misery
Since I met this little woman I feel it's happened to me
And I'm tellin' you
It's too late to turn back now
It's too late to turn back now
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
I find myself phonin' her at least ten times a day
It's so unusual for me to carry on this way
I tell you, I can't sleep at night, a wanting to hold her tight
I tried so hard to convince myself that this feelin' just can't be right
And I'm tellin' you
It's too late to turn back now
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
It's too late to turn back now
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
I wouldn't mind it if I knew she really loved me too
But I'd hate to think that I'm in love alone
And nothing that I can do, oh
It's too late to turn back now
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
It's too late to turn back now
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
It's too late to turn back now
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
It's too late to turn back now
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
The Chi-Lites' hit song "Too Late To Turn Back Now" tells the story of a man who has fallen in love and can't turn back now. The lyrics express how his mother warned him about love and how it can be painful, but now he can feel it happening to him. He finds himself constantly thinking about this woman and can't help but call her ten times a day, something that's unusual for him. He's so infatuated with her that he can't sleep at night and just wants to hold her tight. However, deep down, he's afraid that his love may not be reciprocated and he doesn't want to be in love alone.
The song's theme centers around the universal feeling of falling in love and how it can be both exciting and scary at the same time. The lyrics highlight the different emotions one can feel when falling in love, from the initial excitement to the fear of not being loved in return. The chorus, "It's too late to turn back now," also emphasizes the idea that falling in love is something that can't be undone.
Line by Line Meaning
My mama told me, she said, "Son, please beware"
The singer's mother warned him about the dangers of love.
There's this thing called love, and it's ah ev'rywhere"
Love is all around us.
And she told me it can break your heart
Love can cause heartbreak.
And put you in misery
Love can bring misery.
Since I met this little woman I feel it's happened to me
The artist has fallen in love with a woman and is experiencing these difficult emotions.
It's too late to turn back now
The singer has fallen too deeply in love to turn back.
I believe, I believe, I believe I'm falling in love
The singer is convinced that they are falling in love.
I find myself phonin' her at least ten times a day
The artist is very eager to talk to the woman they love and can't stop calling her.
It's so unusual for me to carry on this way
The artist is surprised by their own behavior because they are not usually this forward or persistent.
I tell you, I can't sleep at night, a wanting to hold her tight
The artist is so in love that they can't even sleep without wanting to be close to their love interest.
I tried so hard to convince myself that this feelin' just can't be right
The singer has tried to deny their feelings but ultimately can't.
I wouldn't mind it if I knew she really loved me too
The artist would be happy if they knew that the woman they love felt the same way.
But I'd hate to think that I'm in love alone
The singer is afraid of being in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eddie Cornileus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind