Sounds of the Time: The Chi-Lites tell the story of "Oh Girl"

Share this article

    Sounds of the Time: The Chi-Lites tell the story of "Oh Girl"

    In the 60s, Smokey Robinson virtually reinvented the sweet soul ballad and paved the way for a number of groups that would make the early 70s a ballad lovers dream era. And no act epitomized that genre more than this hard working group from Chicago. 

    Sounds of the Time: The Chi-Lites tell the story of "Oh Girl"

    In the 60s, Smokey Robinson virtually reinvented the sweet soul ballad and paved the way for a number of groups that would make the early 70s a ballad lovers dream era. And no act epitomized that genre more than this hard working group from Chicago. 

    Like many popular soul groups of the 60s and 70s, the Chi-Lites found each other as teens, singing together and apart in various groups in their native Chicago until joining together as the Hi-Lites in the mid 60s. By the time they signed with the local Brunswick label in the late 60s, they had added a "C" and become the Chi-Lites. The Chi-Lites marriage with Brunswick bore fruit quickly, as they had their first R&B hit in 1968 with the sweet ballad, "Give It Away." And over time the Chi-Lites developed their own unique sound and moved from "soul superstars" to simply superstars in 1972, as two group ballads rocketed to the top of the charts and became among the most memorable songs of the decade. "Have You Seen Her," with its sad opening monologue, took the pop world by storm, only to be topped by the forlorn harmonica lead and impeccable harmonies of the group's greatest song, "Oh Girl."

    Decades TV Network has recently issued a number of short videos, with classic rock and R&B artists telling the stories behind some of their biggest hits. And one of the first of these stories is from Chi-Lites group leader Marshall Thompson, who tells the backstory for the #1 hit "Oh Girl." We love the tale and the video, and think you will too. Check it out below and enjoy!