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
Yes I'm Ready
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
THE CITY PARK AND PLAYGROUND
THE PLACES WHERE KID'S JOYS ARE FOUND
I'M STANDING AND WAITING (YES I'M WAITING)
WITH HOPES THE BEST WILL SHOW (YES I'M WAITING)
I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
A DECENT WAY OF EARNING
THE GOOD LIFE FOR MANKIND
I'M NO LONGER DEBATING
I'M ANXIOUS TO KNOW
I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I KNOW THE FACTS
AND I KNOW HOW TO FIGHT BACK
BUT FIGHTING IS FOR FOOLS
TOWARD EACH OTHER
BUT IF THIS IS WHAT I MUST BE
I WILL STAND LIKE A TREE
CAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD I LOVE
FOR MAN TO DISCOVER (TO DISCOVER)
OOHH, I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I'M READY CAUSE OF WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH
MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE READY TOO
I'VE ROUGHIN' AN FIGHTIN'
TOUGHFIN' AND TIGHTIN'
NOW OPEN UP THE DOOR (OPEN UP THE DOOR)
SEE WHAT I'LL DO
OOHH, I'M READY (YES I'M READY) IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I'VE BEEN LAUGHED AT
AND TALKED ABOUT
BY THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE FRIENDS
I'VE BEEN CRITICIZED, DISPUTED
BUT I REFUSE TO GIVE IN
OOHH, I'M READY (YES I'M READY) IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I'M READY (YES I'M READY) IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
YES I'M READY (YES I'M READY) IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
YES I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO
OH YEAH YEAH YEAH, OH YEAH, I'M READY
YES I'M READY... (REPEAT AND FADE)
The Chi-Lites' song Yes I'm Ready (If I Don't Get to Go) is an expression of readiness to face challenges and opportunities that come with life. The song's lyrics express a strong desire for access to opportunities available to other members of the society, including schools, parks, playgrounds, and higher learning institutions. It expresses the feeling of waiting patiently, hoping that someone will open the door of opportunity for the individual, but also acknowledging that if the door of opportunity doesn't open, they are ready to face life's challenges and make the best of it.
The lyrics make a strong statement about the struggles and fight faced by individuals who are denied access to many of life's opportunities. It acknowledges the opposition and criticisms that those in similar situations have faced but also recognizes that fighting against each other is not the answer. Rather, hopeful optimism, hard work, and resilience should guide the way. The message of the song suggests that though one may face disappointments, they must remain hopeful and be ready to push and pursue excellence.
Overall, Yes I'm Ready (If I Don't Get to Go) speaks to the universal drive to succeed regardless of the circumstances one is faced with. The song is a call to be ready at all times, to take opportunities when they arise, and be prepared to forge ahead in the face of adversity and setbacks.
Line by Line Meaning
FOR THE SCHOOL HOUSE ACROSS TOWN
I'm waiting for the school across town where I hope to find joy and happiness
THE CITY PARK AND PLAYGROUND
I'm looking forward to visiting the park and playground in the city
THE PLACES WHERE KID'S JOYS ARE FOUND
I want to be where the kids are happy, free and enjoying their lives
I'M STANDING AND WAITING (YES I'M WAITING)
I'm patiently waiting for the opportunities that life may bring
WITH HOPES THE BEST WILL SHOW (YES I'M WAITING)
I'm waiting with optimism for the best to come my way
I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I'm prepared for whatever challenges may come my way, even if I don't achieve what I desire
FOR THE HALLS OF HIGHER LEARNING
I aspire to attend higher learning institutions to obtain knowledge and a better standard of living
A DECENT WAY OF EARNING
I want to earn a decent living by obtaining a good education
THE GOOD LIFE FOR MANKIND
By obtaining knowledge and a good education, I hope to contribute to making the world a better place for everyone
I'M NO LONGER DEBATING
I am no longer in doubt about the importance of education and its excellence in making the life of mankind better
I'M ANXIOUS TO KNOW
I am excited to learn and grow through education
I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I am prepared to face any challenges that may come with or without education
I KNOW THE FACTS
I am aware of the reality of life and what comes with it
AND I KNOW HOW TO FIGHT BACK
I know how to handle life's challenges and fight back when necessary
BUT FIGHTING IS FOR FOOLS
I know that fighting doesn't always lead to positive results
TOWARD EACH OTHER
I know that fighting one another doesn't lead to growth or progress
BUT IF THIS IS WHAT I MUST BE
But if fighting is what I must do, I am ready for it
I WILL STAND LIKE A TREE
I will stand my ground and hold firm like a tree in the face of anything life throws at me
CAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD I LOVE
There is so much good and beauty in life that I cherish and want to experience
FOR MAN TO DISCOVER (TO DISCOVER)
I want to discover and experience all the good that life has to offer, and I want others to experience it too
OOHH, I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I am prepared to face life's challenges and uncertainties with or without education
I'M READY CAUSE OF WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH
I am ready for anything because of the struggles I've faced and overcame in life
MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE READY TOO
Perhaps you should also prepare yourself for the challenges that life brings
I'VE ROUGHIN' AN FIGHTIN'
I've struggled and fought hard in life
TOUGHFIN' AND TIGHTIN'
I've persisted and held my ground in the face of adversities
NOW OPEN UP THE DOOR (OPEN UP THE DOOR)
Now, I am ready to seize new opportunities in life
SEE WHAT I'LL DO
Watch and see what I can accomplish in life
I'VE BEEN LAUGHED AT
People have mocked and ridiculed me in the past
AND TALKED ABOUT
People have gossiped and spread rumors about me
BY THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE FRIENDS
Even those I considered friends have betrayed and talked behind my back
I'VE BEEN CRITICIZED, DISPUTED
I have been criticized and argued against by people
BUT I REFUSE TO GIVE IN
But I refuse to let their negativity break me or deter me from pursuing my dreams
OOHH, I'M READY (YES I'M READY) IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I am ready to face whatever challenges come my way regardless of whether I accomplish my goals or not
I'M READY (YES I'M READY) IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I am prepared for whatever life throws at me, whether I achieve my goals or not
YES I'M READY (YES I'M READY) IF I DON'T GET TO GO (YES I'M READY)
I am ready and prepared for anything life throws at me, even if I don't achieve my aspirations
YES I'M READY IF I DON'T GET TO GO
I am prepared for any outcome in life
OH YEAH YEAH YEAH, OH YEAH, I'M READY
I am truly prepared and enthusiastic about tackling life's challenges
YES I'M READY... (REPEAT AND FADE)
I am ready and prepared for whatever comes my way
Contributed by Sebastian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.