The Chi-Lites' "Oh Girl" is one of the classic soul ballads of the '70s, and the finest of many classics written by the group's leader, the perpetually broken-hearted Eugene Record. His restrained but aching lead vocal is almost a solo performance (the other three Chi-Lites add only a few wordless harmonies and one line per verse), and his passionate delivery of his own beseeching lyrics is a marvel. (Compare Record's tasteful restraint to the over-emotional wailing on covers by Leo Sayer, Paul Young, and even the usually more aware Smokey Robinson for a quick demonstration of how true soul is not always about keening and melisma.) The arrangement, credited to someone named Tom Tom (probably Record again, who also produced the song and was probably getting shy by his third or fourth solo credit), is magnificently simple, with an almost minimalist string section that adds to the lushness of the vocals without being overbearing, and the brilliant stroke of a wailing harmonica part, a surprisingly down-home touch for such a stylish ballad that's probably the song's crowning achievement. Nearly every cover of the song has swiped the harmonica part wholesale, proof of how key it is to the song's success.
Oh Girl
The Chi-Lites
Share on
Song Review by Stewart Mason
Appears On
| Year | Artist/Album | Label | Time | AllMusic Rating | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1972 | Import | 3:43 | ||||
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1989 |
Various Artists
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Time / Life Music | 3:30 | |||
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1990 |
Various Artists
|
Perfect Pitch Marketing | ||||
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1991 |
Various Artists
|
K-Tel Distribution | 0:00 | |||
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1992 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | ||||
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1993 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino | 3:51 | |||
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1993 |
Various Artists
|
The Right Stuff | 3:30 | |||
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1994 |
Various Artists
|
Laserlight / Delta Distribution | 3:50 | |||
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1994 |
Various Artists
|
Delta Distribution | ||||
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1994 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino | 3:20 | |||
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1995 |
Various Artists
|
Spectrum Music | 0:00 | |||
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1995 |
Various Artists
|
JCI Associated Labels | ||||
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1995 |
Various Artists
|
Universal Special Products | 3:35 | |||
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1995 |
Various Artists
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Quality Music / Quality | 3:47 | |||
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1995 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino | 3:50 | |||
![Sweet Soul Music [K-Tel]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=G-Z7LECgPpsFH8oDyYaD4t_M69_UI9rrJSVvWL2-yAg=&f=2) |
1995 |
Various Artists
|
K-Tel Distribution | 0:00 | |||
|
|
1995 |
Various Artists
|
K-Tel Distribution | ||||
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1995 |
Various Artists
|
K-Tel Distribution | 3:40 | |||
|
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1995 | Charly Records | 4:49 | ||||
![Soul [Friedman/Fairfax]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=M5ROsNnUQmM3PTO59ldA5QSijaXJlYnq0St31qpAJWo=&f=3) |
1995 |
Various Artists
|
Friedman Fairgfax | 3:41 | |||
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1996 |
Various Artists
|
Quality | 3:47 | |||
|
|
1996 |
Various Artists
|
Priority Records | ||||
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1996 |
Various Artists
|
Intercontinental Records | 3:50 | |||
|
|
1996 |
Various Artists
|
Sony Music Distribution | 0:00 | |||
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1996 |
Original Soundtrack
|
The Right Stuff / Capitol | 3:47 | |||
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1996 |
Various Artists
|
K-Tel Distribution | 3:48 | |||
![The Best of the Chi-Lites [Prime Cuts]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=y-b1JXjm9Me-geT_rEbcKYAf7E_1E-2MlBBPmPAXRBU=&f=2) |
1997 | Prime Kutz / Prime Cuts | 2:57 | ||||
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1997 | Intercontinental Records | 3:05 | ||||
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1997 |
Various Artists
|
Prime Cuts | 3:00 | |||
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1997 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino Flashback | ||||
![Hit Songs from the 70's [Deuce]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=P5XGw8qRvecqtlvq-IHCkj6KsMttLlyBmmVTZ6_CLs0=&f=2) |
1997 |
Various Artists
|
Deuce | 3:00 | |||
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1997 |
Various Artists
|
3 for 3 | 2:56 | |||
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1997 |
Various Artists
|
Columbia River Entertainment Group | ||||
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1997 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair / Sixties / Seventies | 3:04 | |||
|
|
1997 |
Various Artists
|
BMG Special Products | 3:50 | |||
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1997 |
Various Artists
|
3:45 | ||||
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1998 |
Various Artists
|
Crimson Productions | 3:36 | |||
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1998 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair / Number 1 Hits | 3:05 | |||
|
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1998 | Music Club Records | |||||
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1998 |
Various Artists
|
Crimson Productions | 3:27 | |||
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1998 |
Various Artists
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Dressed To Kill | ||||
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1998 | Demon Records / Demon | 3:36 | ||||
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1998 | Universal Special Products | 4:48 | ||||
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1998 |
Various Artists
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Double Play Records | 3:07 | |||
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1998 | Masters | 3:07 | ||||
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1998 | Diablo (UK) | 3:36 | ||||
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1998 | Excelsior Recordings | |||||
![Body + Soul: Love Serenade [1999]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=Cc_zVWv6kiXJyZ8J77VvE1WnbEN5fCjifro6xhIBuB4=&f=2) |
1999 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 3:44 | |||
|
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1999 |
Various Artists
|
Crimson Productions | ||||
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1999 | Remember Records | 3:20 | ||||
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1999 |
Various Artists
|
Double Play Records | 3:06 | |||
![Soul [Book & CD]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=O62rYeewacbcFNvV8Ob6-JhUoDg0hsvx4F4sL4oO-nA=&f=3) |
1999 |
Various Artists
|
Friedman Fairgfax | 3:43 | |||
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1999 |
Various Artists
|
Polygram | 3:50 | |||
![Smooth Soul [Intercontinental]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=psRI04u0sRdyBJf0v7aZvJhUoDg0hsvx4F4sL4oO-nA=&f=2) |
1999 |
Various Artists
|
Intercontinental Records | 3:00 | |||
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1999 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 3:44 | |||
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1999 | Empire Music Group Inc. / Music Club Records | 3:35 | ||||
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1999 |
Various Artists
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Excelsior Recordings | ||||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
Atlantic | 3:29 | |||
![Soul Ballads [Boxsets]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=wZo5aGu0m0NyBmETE1KTkh_TZlp6n_cq-Emr2zx15tU=&f=2) |
2000 |
Various Artists
|
Boxsets | 3:03 | |||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
Boxsets | 3:04 | |||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
Buddha Records | 3:49 | |||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
Direct Source | 3:01 | |||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 3:04 | |||
![Soul Sensations [Direct Source]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=N_s911UUwOcU0iGgmlHgf4Af7E_1E-2MlBBPmPAXRBU=&f=2) |
2000 |
Various Artists
|
Direct Source | 3:02 | |||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
Direct Source | 3:01 | |||
![Best of the 70's [Direct Source 6 CD Box]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=b-ILSlHPM554mainplsKvhyhM-OFI8zG4l-qVpXXB1I=&f=2) |
2000 |
Various Artists
|
Direct Source | 3:00 | |||
 |
2000 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino | 3:50 | |||
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2000 | Golden Music / Goldenlane | 3:50 | ||||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
Goldies | 3:33 | |||
![Forever Gold: Soul Ballads [2 Disc]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=UCtgmZRxThkGUvDNHoU4ThyhM-OFI8zG4l-qVpXXB1I=&f=2) |
2000 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 3:03 | |||
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2000 |
Various Artists
|
Top Sail Productions | 3:30 | |||
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2001 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 3:03 | |||
![Love Is Forever [Box Set]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=oMEgPRaoE3Jxe4bICg4ydt_M69_UI9rrJSVvWL2-yAg=&f=2) |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 3:03 | |||
![70's Generation [Direct Source]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=j6tobJZjZPQcpK-AsKJn1B_TZlp6n_cq-Emr2zx15tU=&f=2) |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
Direct Source | 3:01 | |||
 |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
Goldies | 3:34 | |||
 |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 3:30 | |||
|
|
2001 |
Various Artists
|
Buddha Records | 3:49 | |||
 |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino | 3:14 | |||
 |
2001 | Brunswick | 3:36 | ||||
 |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
Thump Records | 3:45 | |||
![Best of the 70's [Direct Source 5 CD Box]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=DBQNOws2NsqK2qV6xOiceQ4Q1ghY8VaPylnm7PwcKNY=&f=2) |
2001 |
Various Artists
|
Direct Source | 3:01 | |||
 |
2002 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 3:05 | |||
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2002 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino | 3:13 | |||
 |
2002 | EMI-Capitol Special Markets | 3:36 | ||||
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2002 | Park South Records / Orpheus Records | 3:00 | ||||
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2002 | BR Music | 4:47 | ||||
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2002 |
Various Artists
|
Rerooted | 3:36 | |||
![Classic Soul Hits! [Direct Source 2003]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=WJQFHs5dJbg-18BqffxYGT6KsMttLlyBmmVTZ6_CLs0=&f=2) |
2003 |
Various Artists
|
Direct Source | 3:02 | |||
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2003 |
Various Artists
|
Cleopatra | 3:49 | |||
![Soul Ballads [St. Clair Box]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=0veXMgAMyuSezFSZFLqczoAf7E_1E-2MlBBPmPAXRBU=&f=2) |
2003 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 2:59 | |||
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2003 |
Various Artists
|
Thump Records | 3:45 | |||
 |
2003 |
Various Artists
|
K-Tel Distribution | 2:59 | |||
![21 Winners: Best of Soul [2003]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=CxqCZQC9xQYVQEQr4wdsMh_TZlp6n_cq-Emr2zx15tU=&f=2) |
2003 |
Various Artists
|
Madacy Distribution / Madacy | 2:58 | |||
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2003 |
Various Artists
|
Rhino | 3:14 | |||
![#1 R&B Hits [Madacy Box]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=VYuRDilKCyTsNIJDYRaLNypQg_7iAU1wjqLgK_xGXts=&f=2) |
2003 |
Various Artists
|
Madacy | 2:58 | |||
 |
2003 |
Various Artists
|
WEA International | 3:37 | |||
![The Best of the Chi-Lites [Collectables]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=tmbeG6rbOHMWXvGGCBjlMipQg_7iAU1wjqLgK_xGXts=&f=2) |
2003 | Collectables | 3:36 | ||||
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2004 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 2:59 | |||
![The Best of the Chi-Lites [Kent]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=OXWGZn1kgJLOi5mOkpZBFSpQg_7iAU1wjqLgK_xGXts=&f=2) |
2004 | Kent | 3:36 | ||||
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2004 | Demon Records | |||||
![Hits of the 70's [Madacy Box]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=P-Q6o6abjQGzy2Wc9K3-T4Af7E_1E-2MlBBPmPAXRBU=&f=2) |
2004 |
Various Artists
|
Madacy | 3:32 | |||
 |
2004 |
Various Artists
|
Golden Stars | 3:34 | |||
![Soul Grooves [Columbia River]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=g_38M1kkbrgR4Cd8xaiPZQSijaXJlYnq0St31qpAJWo=&f=2) |
2004 |
Various Artists
|
Columbia River Entertainment Group | 2:56 | |||
![The Best of Soul Ballads [St. Clair 2004]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=iWkvsBVkJLTvHsoLFbRaZRyhM-OFI8zG4l-qVpXXB1I=&f=2) |
2004 |
Various Artists
|
St. Clair | 2:58 | |||
![Soul Searchin' [Northquest]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=pTupLBIsdyAE7pkkwJrk-wSijaXJlYnq0St31qpAJWo=&f=2) |
2005 |
Various Artists
|
Northquest | 2:58 | |||
![Only You [Columbia River 2005]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=ZDkDzRjTVj8y6CgC7qJ_MSpQg_7iAU1wjqLgK_xGXts=&f=2) |
2005 |
Various Artists
|
Columbia River Entertainment Group | 2:58 | |||
 |
2005 |
Various Artists
|
SPG | 3:41 | |||
 |
2005 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 0:00 | |||
 |
2005 |
Various Artists
|
K-Tel Distribution | 2:59 | |||
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2006 | Brunswick | 3:37 | ||||
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2006 |
Various Artists
|
Brunswick | 3:36 | |||
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2006 |
Various Artists
|
Hip-O | 3:37 | |||
![Soul Heaven [Malaco]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=nUgunltQrh5qvJxU-frcagSijaXJlYnq0St31qpAJWo=&f=2) |
2007 |
Various Artists
|
Malaco | 3:48 | |||
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2008 |
Various Artists
|
Rolling Stone | 3:36 | |||
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2009 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 3:30 | |||
![Jackie: Love Songs [2010]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=3MEozgmBYfwVIrSP6pqyFYAf7E_1E-2MlBBPmPAXRBU=&f=2) |
2010 |
Various Artists
|
EMI Music Distribution / UMTV | 3:43 | |||
![Sweet Soul of the '70s [Time Life]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=ibDPP5LpkXnDFZIPgvUU8g4Q1ghY8VaPylnm7PwcKNY=&f=2) |
2011 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 3:30 | |||
![Smooth Soul [Time Life]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=qUyPBNViZ-2DbNSe8NzGXz6KsMttLlyBmmVTZ6_CLs0=&f=2) |
2012 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 3:30 | |||
 |
2012 |
Various Artists
|
Bellevue Publishing | 3:00 | |||
![The Greatest Ever... Love Songs [Bellevue]](https://rovimusic.rovicorp.com/image.jpg?c=jND4gERsjJ-rWsqzPzBURypQg_7iAU1wjqLgK_xGXts=&f=2) |
2014 |
Various Artists
|
Bellevue / Wienerworld | 3:02 | |||
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2014 |
Various Artists
|
Bear Family Records | 3:30 | |||
 |
Various Artists
|
Bellevue Publishing | 3:00 | ||||
 |
Various Artists
|
AAO Music / United Audio Entertainment | 2:56 | ||||
 |
Various Artists
|
Geffen | 3:47 | ||||
 |
Various Artists
|
Sugarhill | 3:08 | ||||
 |
Expansion Records | 4:45 | |||||
|
|
Awesome Inc. | ||||||
 |
Various Artists
|
Time / Life Music | 3:32 | ||||
 |
Various Artists
|
Dockland Music | 2:56 | ||||
 |
Various Artists
|
Sugar Hill | 3:08 | ||||
 |
Various Artists
|
Time Life | 3:42 |