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 BeyoncΓ© 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
We Are Neighbors
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
We are neighbors
Whether we wanna be or not
Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?
Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so
Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?
If everybody looked the same
We'd get tired of looking at each other
You couldn't tell the lady next door
From your own damn mother
If variety ain't the spice of life
Then why are some
Peppercorn lights so nice?
You telling me things
That you can't do
It's not that you can't
It's that you just don't want to
We are neighbors
We are neighbors
We are neighbors
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
We are neighbors
Whether we wanna be or not
Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so
Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?
Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so
Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?
You put me in prison in my own house
(Yes, yes, you did)
And expect me to be quiet as a mouse
(Yes, yes, you did)
When I see it your way
You let me out
(Yes, yes, you did)
But here is something
To think about
(Yes, yes, you did)
The good and
The bad die together
Nobody's gonna live
Forever and ever
The truth is the light
That you should know
Let's walk in
The sunshine together
We are neighbors
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
We are neighbors
We are neighbors
We are neighbors
Whether we wanna be or not
Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so
Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know
Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so
Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know
We are neighbors
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so)
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?)
We are neighbors
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so)
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?)
We are neighbors
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so)
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?)
We are neighbors
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so)
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?)
We are neighbors
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so)
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?)
We are neighbors
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so)
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?)
We are neighbors
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so)
(Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?)
The Chi-Lites's song "We Are Neighbors" celebrates the spirit of community and challenges the idea that differences between people should divide us. The lyrics emphasize that despite our differences, we are all neighbors, and we should strive to live together in harmony. The first verse reminds us that even if we don't want to be neighbors, the nature of our existence means that we are. The repetition of "I told you so, didn't you know?" in the chorus reinforces the idea that we should already know this, but it's a message that we need to be reminded of constantly.
The second verse touches on the importance of diversity and how it adds richness to our lives. If everyone looked the same, life would be dull, and we wouldn't be able to discern who's who. The lyric, "If variety ain't the spice of life, then why are some peppercorn lights so nice?" underscores the idea that our differences should be celebrated because they make life more interesting. The lyrics also address the issue of people saying they can't do things when, in reality, they just don't want to. The song suggests that this unwillingness to do something is what creates the divide between people, which in turn negatively impacts the community.
The final verse encourages people to live in the light of the truth and walk together in the sunshine. It acknowledges that good and bad people die together and that nobody gets to live forever, thus stressing the importance of embracing people while they're still around. The song ends by repeating the titular line, "We are neighbors," reminding us of the central message of this song.
Line by Line Meaning
We are neighbors
We live near each other
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Emphasizes the previous line
Whether we wanna be or not
Regardless of our desire
Bom-bom-bom-bom, I told you so
Reiteration of previous verse
Bom-bom-bom-bom, didn't you know?
Asking if the listener is aware of the situation
If everybody looked the same
If people were identical
We'd get tired of looking at each other
We would lose interest in each other's appearance
You couldn't tell the lady next door
The woman living beside you
From your own damn mother
From your biological mother
If variety ain't the spice of life
If diversity is not enjoyable
Then why are some
Why do some
Peppercorn lights so nice?
Why are different types of lights appealing?
You telling me things
You are sharing information
That you can't do
That you are incapable of doing
It's not that you can't
It's not that you lack the ability
It's that you just don't want to
It's that you lack motivation or desire
You put me in prison in my own house
You made me feel trapped at home
(Yes, yes, you did)
Emphasizes previous line
And expect me to be quiet as a mouse
And expect me to remain silent
When I see it your way
When I agree with your perspective
You let me out
You allow me to be free
But here is something
Here is something else
To think about
To consider
The good and
The positive aspects
The bad die together
Positive and negative events impact everyone
Nobody's gonna live
No one will exist
Forever and ever
Eternally
The truth is the light
Honesty is enlightening
That you should know
You should be aware of
Let's walk in
Let us stroll
The sunshine together
Enjoy the sunlight as a group
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donnell W
It was fun growing up with this type of music to play on the record player or hear it on the radio. Yeah Chi-Lites!
Chrystal Craig
You tellin me things that you can't do. It's not that you can't, it's that you just don't want to. I'm so lovin' this! ππβ
Ken Kovar
insanely great, relevant as ever! ππΏπ
eduardo rosario
IN THESE TRYING TIMES IN OUR COUNTRY - THIS SONG SPEAKS VOLUME '' THANK YOU''
euphrates556
Way ahead of their time with this song!
Ken Kovar
truly
NuNu Mack
love it
Jerry Forward
This is a cool ass song!!!!! I LOVE IT
Ken Kovar
never got into em before, gotta change that!
Charles Green
Really? Man !! I was digging this when it came out...I'm gonna do a remake.. this song. should've been the bomb hit...