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
You Don't Have to Go
The Chi-Lites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you just wanna see me
go through changes
oh don't you baby
'cos you bring out
what's deep in me
'til my body flows with energy
now well well
you make me pout
just like a child
oh don't you baby
the height of my masculinity
begins to get the best of me
now make yourself ready
'cos tonight is just beginning
going to the moon
on a trip that has no end
and no no no
oh no i can't let you go no-no
how i love to love you baby
ah yeah
do-do-doop ba-baa
do-do-doop ba-baa
do-do-doop ba-baa
do-do-doop ba-baa
you don't have to go
you just want to see me
do some begging
oh don't you baby
you just keep on teasing me
'til i feel your love all over me
well well well
you don't have to go
you just want
to see me in a fever
oh don't you baby
the height of my masculinity
begins to get the best of me
now make yourself ready
'cos tonight is just beginning
going to the moon
on a trip that has no ending
no no no oh no
i can't let you go oh-no
how i love to love you baby
ah yeah
now make yourself ready
'cos tonight is just beginning
going to the moon
on a trip that has no ending
no no no oh no
i can't let you go oh-no
how i love to love you baby
no-no i can't let you go
how i love to love you baby
The Chi-Lites's song "You Don't Have to Go" is about the intense attraction and desire that the singer feels towards their lover. The lyrics express that the lover doesn't have to leave and encourages them to stay because they ignite a passion within the singer that they can't resist. The song is full of sensual imagery and describes how the lover makes the singer's body "flow with energy" and weakens their mind to the point of being childlike with desire. The song also alludes to the singer feeling a sense of hyper-masculinity and power in the presence of their lover.
The repetition of the lyrics "you don't have to go" emphasizes the idea of the lover not needing to leave and the singer's desperation to keep them there. The repeated phrase also creates a sense of urgency that adds to the overall feeling of tension and passion in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
well you don't have to go
You don't have to leave, but you want to watch me change.
you just wanna see me
Your desire is to observe me.
go through changes
You want to witness my evolution.
oh don't you baby
Please don't do this to me.
'cos you bring out
Because you elicit within me.
what's deep in me
My innermost emotions and desires.
'til my body flows with energy
To a point where my whole being is energized and alive.
now well well
And now, as a consequence.
my mind gets so weak
My mental fortitude weakens.
you make me pout
You prompt me to act childishly.
just like a child
In a comparable manner to a juvenile.
oh don't you baby
I implore you not to do this.
the height of my masculinity
At the zenith of my manhood.
begins to get the best of me
Starts to dominate my actions and mind.
now make yourself ready
Prepare yourself fully.
'cos tonight is just beginning
Because tonight is the start of something big.
going to the moon
Going somewhere very far away.
on a trip that has no end
On an unending journey.
and no no no
There is absolutely no chance.
oh no i can't let you go no-no
I simply cannot allow you to leave.
how i love to love you baby
How much I cherish loving you, darling.
ah yeah
Oh, yes.
do-do-doop ba-baa
Melodic filler.
do-do-doop ba-baa
Melodic filler.
do-do-doop ba-baa
Melodic filler.
do-do-doop ba-baa
Melodic filler.
you don't have to go
You don't need to leave.
you just want to see me
You just wish to observe me.
do some begging
Cause me to plead with you.
oh don't you baby
Please don't do that to me.
you just keep on teasing me
You continue to playfully provoke me.
'til i feel your love all over me
Until I sense your affection enveloping me entirely.
well well well
Well then.
you don't have to go
You don't have to leave.
you just want
You simply desire.
to see me in a fever
Observed while in a state of arousal.
oh don't you baby
Oh, please don't do that.
the height of my masculinity
When my masculinity is at its peak.
begins to get the best of me
It starts to overpower me.
now make yourself ready
Prepare yourself.
'cos tonight is just beginning
Because tonight is the start of something important.
going to the moon
Going somewhere distant and unknown.
on a trip that has no ending
Heading out on an endless journey.
no no no oh no
That's utterly impossible.
i can't let you go oh-no
I won't allow you to leave.
how i love to love you baby
I deeply enjoy loving you, my love.
ah yeah
Oh, yes.
now make yourself ready
Ready yourself.
'cos tonight is just beginning
Because tonight marks the start of something big.
going to the moon
Heading to some faraway place.
on a trip that has no ending
Going on an endless journey.
no no no oh no
There's no way.
i can't let you go oh-no
I refuse to allow you to go.
how i love to love you baby
How much I cherish loving you, my love.
no-no i can't let you go
No, I truly can't allow you to leave.
how i love to love you baby
How much I adore loving you, my love.
Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William Hill
Nearly 65 years old now and this still brings back many memories ,yes?
Dermot O'shea
GOD BLESS the Chi-lites, what a tune, brings back so many good memories
Colin Murdoch
I loved this song in the 70s and I still love it in June 2020.
Shaun Frere
Brilliant music from a band that were superb and totally underestimated, Thank you Chi-lites.
Chris marsden
Love this, takes me back to a happy go lucky 15 year old with not a care in the world and would go back in a heartbeat, great days gone to soon.
chocolate smile
One of my favorites ❤ still listening 2020! Memories!
Mhari Cotton
I love it , such a great feel good song by the Chi - Lites .
Philip Spencer
This is nothing but pure class from a fantastic era of music. I love it, Ady, thanks for posting it.
Jackie Dawes
I love this song u just cant beat the 70s great days lovely memories wish i had a time machine i go back in a shot
SANDRA O'REILLY
Just fabulous always loved this song ❤