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The Chi-Lites

Oh Girl

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Song Review by Stewart Mason

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.

Appears On

Year Artist/Album Label Time AllMusic Rating
A Lonely Man 1972
The Chi-Lites
A Lonely Man
Import 3:43
Sounds of the Seventies: 1972 1989
Various Artists
Sounds of the Seventies: 1972
Time / Life Music 3:30
Varig Collection: Love Songs 1990
Various Artists
Varig Collection: Love Songs
Perfect Pitch Marketing
Super Bad Is Back 1991
Various Artists
Super Bad Is Back
K-Tel Distribution 0:00
Rhythm & Blues: 1972 1992
Various Artists
Rhythm & Blues: 1972
Time / Life Music
'70s Smash Hits, Vol. 6 1993
Various Artists
'70s Smash Hits, Vol. 6
Rhino 3:51
Slow Jams: The 70's, Vol. 1 1993
Various Artists
Slow Jams: The 70's, Vol. 1
The Right Stuff 3:30
Soulful Love 1994
Various Artists
Soulful Love
Laserlight / Delta Distribution 3:50
No Image 1994
Various Artists
Chart Bustin' Hits
Delta Distribution
Soul Train: Hall of Fame, 20th Anniversary 1994
Various Artists
Soul Train: Hall of Fame, 20th Anniversary
Rhino 3:20
The Story of Soul Music 1995
Various Artists
The Story of Soul Music
Spectrum Music 0:00
Only Rock 'N Roll 1975-1979: 20 Pop Hits 1995
Various Artists
Only Rock 'N Roll 1975-1979: 20 Pop Hits
JCI Associated Labels
Classic Soul Greatest Hits 1995
Various Artists
Classic Soul Greatest Hits
Universal Special Products 3:35
Slow Jamz from Back in Da Day 1995
Various Artists
Slow Jamz from Back in Da Day
Quality Music / Quality 3:47
Billboard Hot Soul Hits: 1972 1995
Various Artists
Billboard Hot Soul Hits: 1972
Rhino 3:50
Sweet Soul Music [K-Tel] 1995
Various Artists
Sweet Soul Music [K-Tel]
K-Tel Distribution 0:00
No Image 1995
Various Artists
Slow Groove Love Jams of '70s
K-Tel Distribution
Super Box of Soul, Vol. 3 1995
Various Artists
Super Box of Soul, Vol. 3
K-Tel Distribution 3:40
No Image 1995
The Chi-Lites
Sweet Soul Music
Charly Records 4:49
Soul [Friedman/Fairfax] 1995
Various Artists
Soul [Friedman/Fairfax]
Friedman Fairgfax 3:41
Old Skoolin' 1996
Various Artists
Old Skoolin'
Quality 3:47
No Image 1996
Various Artists
Slow Grind, Vol. 2
Priority Records
Classic Soul Love Songs 1996
Various Artists
Classic Soul Love Songs
Intercontinental Records 3:50
No Image 1996
Various Artists
3 Decades of Soul Ballads
Sony Music Distribution 0:00
Flick Hits: Old School Tracks 1996
Original Soundtrack
Flick Hits: Old School Tracks
The Right Stuff / Capitol 3:47
Music Power 1996
Various Artists
Music Power
K-Tel Distribution 3:48
The Best of the Chi-Lites [Prime Cuts] 1997
The Chi-Lites
The Best of the Chi-Lites [Prime Cuts]
Prime Kutz / Prime Cuts 2:57
Golden Hits 1997
The Chi-Lites
Golden Hits
Intercontinental Records 3:05
Greatest Hits from the 70's 1997
Various Artists
Greatest Hits from the 70's
Prime Cuts 3:00
70's Radio Hits, Vol. 6 1997
Various Artists
70's Radio Hits, Vol. 6
Rhino Flashback
Hit Songs from the 70's [Deuce] 1997
Various Artists
Hit Songs from the 70's [Deuce]
Deuce 3:00
3 for 3: The Chi-Lites, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes & Sam & Dave 1997
Various Artists
3 for 3: The Chi-Lites, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes & Sam & Dave
3 for 3 2:56
Global Rock, Vol. 3: From London to L.A. 1997
Various Artists
Global Rock, Vol. 3: From London to L.A.
Columbia River Entertainment Group
The Seventies Generation: 1972 1997
Various Artists
The Seventies Generation: 1972
St. Clair / Sixties / Seventies 3:04
No Image 1997
Various Artists
Soulful Sounds of the 70's
BMG Special Products 3:50
Lowrider Oldies, Vol. 2 1997
Various Artists
Lowrider Oldies, Vol. 2
3:45
Essential Hits Collection 1998
Various Artists
Essential Hits Collection
Crimson Productions 3:36
#1 Hits: The 70's Decade 1998
Various Artists
#1 Hits: The 70's Decade
St. Clair / Number 1 Hits 3:05
No Image 1998
The Chi-Lites
The Very Best of the Chi-Lites [Music Club]
Music Club Records
Love of Your Own 1998
Various Artists
Love of Your Own
Crimson Productions 3:27
Blues & Soul Bible 1998
Various Artists
Blues & Soul Bible
Dressed To Kill
Too Good to Be Forgotten 1998
The Chi-Lites
Too Good to Be Forgotten
Demon Records / Demon 3:36
Remembered 1998
The Chi-Lites
Remembered
Universal Special Products 4:48
20 Sweet Soul Classics 1998
Various Artists
20 Sweet Soul Classics
Double Play Records 3:07
Back 2 Back 1998
The Delfonics
Back 2 Back
Masters 3:07
Hit Highlights 1998
The Chi-Lites
Hit Highlights
Diablo (UK) 3:36
No Image 1998
The Delfonics
Back 2 Back: Delfonics and Chi-Lites
Excelsior Recordings
Body + Soul: Love Serenade [1999] 1999
Various Artists
Body + Soul: Love Serenade [1999]
Time / Life Music 3:44
No Image 1999
Various Artists
Let's Stay Together
Crimson Productions
Have You Seen Her: Their Greatest Hits 1999
The Chi-Lites
Have You Seen Her: Their Greatest Hits
Remember Records 3:20
4 Smooth Soul Legends 1999
Various Artists
4 Smooth Soul Legends
Double Play Records 3:06
Soul [Book & CD] 1999
Various Artists
Soul [Book & CD]
Friedman Fairgfax 3:43
More Broken Hearted Soul Essentials 1999
Various Artists
More Broken Hearted Soul Essentials
Polygram 3:50
Smooth Soul [Intercontinental] 1999
Various Artists
Smooth Soul [Intercontinental]
Intercontinental Records 3:00
Body + Soul: Between the Sheets 1999
Various Artists
Body + Soul: Between the Sheets
Time / Life Music 3:44
The Best of the Chi-Lites: One in a Million 1999
The Chi-Lites
The Best of the Chi-Lites: One in a Million
Empire Music Group Inc. / Music Club Records 3:35
No Image 1999
Various Artists
Soul Ballads, Vols. 1 & 2
Excelsior Recordings
The Official American Bandstand Library of Rock & Roll 2000
Various Artists
The Official American Bandstand Library of Rock & Roll
Atlantic 3:29
Soul Ballads [Boxsets] 2000
Various Artists
Soul Ballads [Boxsets]
Boxsets 3:03
Seventies Generation: 1972-1973 2000
Various Artists
Seventies Generation: 1972-1973
Boxsets 3:04
Entertainment Weekly: The Greatest Hits 1972 2000
Various Artists
Entertainment Weekly: The Greatest Hits 1972
Buddha Records 3:49
1972 2000
Various Artists
1972
Direct Source 3:01
The Seventies Generation: A Decade of Fun 2000
Various Artists
The Seventies Generation: A Decade of Fun
St. Clair 3:04
Soul Sensations [Direct Source] 2000
Various Artists
Soul Sensations [Direct Source]
Direct Source 3:02
The Best of the 70's, Vol. 2 2000
Various Artists
The Best of the 70's, Vol. 2
Direct Source 3:01
Best of the 70's [Direct Source 6 CD Box] 2000
Various Artists
Best of the 70's [Direct Source 6 CD Box]
Direct Source 3:00
Soul Train: The Dance Years 1972 2000
Various Artists
Soul Train: The Dance Years 1972
Rhino 3:50
Golden Classics 2000
The Chi-Lites
Golden Classics
Golden Music / Goldenlane 3:50
Soul Greats 2000
Various Artists
Soul Greats
Goldies 3:33
Forever Gold: Soul Ballads [2 Disc] 2000
Various Artists
Forever Gold: Soul Ballads [2 Disc]
St. Clair 3:03
Casey Kasem Presents: Number One Hits-The Love Songs 2000
Various Artists
Casey Kasem Presents: Number One Hits-The Love Songs
Top Sail Productions 3:30
Love Is Forever 2001
Various Artists
Love Is Forever
St. Clair 3:03
Love Is Forever [Box Set] 2001
Various Artists
Love Is Forever [Box Set]
St. Clair 3:03
70's Generation [Direct Source] 2001
Various Artists
70's Generation [Direct Source]
Direct Source 3:01
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: Great Soul Ballads 2001
Various Artists
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me: Great Soul Ballads
Goldies 3:34
Hey Love, Vol. 2 2001
Various Artists
Hey Love, Vol. 2
Time / Life Music 3:30
No Image 2001
Various Artists
Entertainment Weekly: The Greatest Hits 1970-1974
Buddha Records 3:49
Can You Dig It? The '70s Soul Experience 2001
Various Artists
Can You Dig It? The '70s Soul Experience
Rhino 3:14
20 Greatest Hits 2001
The Chi-Lites
20 Greatest Hits
Brunswick 3:36
Lowrider Oldies, Vols. 1-9: Cruisin' Chrome Series 2001
Various Artists
Lowrider Oldies, Vols. 1-9: Cruisin' Chrome Series
Thump Records 3:45
Best of the 70's [Direct Source 5 CD Box] 2001
Various Artists
Best of the 70's [Direct Source 5 CD Box]
Direct Source 3:01
Number 1 Hits 50's 60's & 70's 2002
Various Artists
Number 1 Hits 50's 60's & 70's
St. Clair 3:05
Soul Spectacular! The Greatest Soul Hits of All Time 2002
Various Artists
Soul Spectacular! The Greatest Soul Hits of All Time
Rhino 3:13
The Best of the Chi-Lites: Ten Best Series 2002
The Chi-Lites
The Best of the Chi-Lites: Ten Best Series
EMI-Capitol Special Markets 3:36
Back to Back Hits 2002
The Chi-Lites
Back to Back Hits
Park South Records / Orpheus Records 3:00
Hot on a Thing 2002
The Chi-Lites
Hot on a Thing
BR Music 4:47
The Story of Brunswick: The Classic Sound of Chicago Soul 2002
Various Artists
The Story of Brunswick: The Classic Sound of Chicago Soul
Rerooted 3:36
Classic Soul Hits! [Direct Source 2003] 2003
Various Artists
Classic Soul Hits! [Direct Source 2003]
Direct Source 3:02
Gold Funk and Soul 2003
Various Artists
Gold Funk and Soul
Cleopatra 3:49
Soul Ballads [St. Clair Box] 2003
Various Artists
Soul Ballads [St. Clair Box]
St. Clair 2:59
Lowrider Oldies, Vol. 1-3: Cruisin' Chrome Series 2003
Various Artists
Lowrider Oldies, Vol. 1-3: Cruisin' Chrome Series
Thump Records 3:45
Soul Bands 2003
Various Artists
Soul Bands
K-Tel Distribution 2:59
21 Winners: Best of Soul [2003] 2003
Various Artists
21 Winners: Best of Soul [2003]
Madacy Distribution / Madacy 2:58
The Incredible Soul Collection 2003
Various Artists
The Incredible Soul Collection
Rhino 3:14
#1 R&B Hits [Madacy Box] 2003
Various Artists
#1 R&B Hits [Madacy Box]
Madacy 2:58
The Ultimate Soul Collection, Vol. 2 2003
Various Artists
The Ultimate Soul Collection, Vol. 2
WEA International 3:37
The Best of the Chi-Lites [Collectables] 2003
The Chi-Lites
The Best of the Chi-Lites [Collectables]
Collectables 3:36
Gold Collection: Jukebox Giants 2004
Various Artists
Gold Collection: Jukebox Giants
St. Clair 2:59
The Best of the Chi-Lites [Kent] 2004
The Chi-Lites
The Best of the Chi-Lites [Kent]
Kent 3:36
The Complete the Chi-Lites on Brunswick Records, Vol. 1 2004
The Chi-Lites
The Complete the Chi-Lites on Brunswick Records, Vol. 1
Demon Records
Hits of the 70's [Madacy Box] 2004
Various Artists
Hits of the 70's [Madacy Box]
Madacy 3:32
Fuhgeddaboudit! Music You Heard on the Sopranos 2004
Various Artists
Fuhgeddaboudit! Music You Heard on the Sopranos
Golden Stars 3:34
No Image 2004
Various Artists
Soul Grooves [Columbia River]
Columbia River Entertainment Group 2:56
The Best of Soul Ballads [St. Clair 2004] 2004
Various Artists
The Best of Soul Ballads [St. Clair 2004]
St. Clair 2:58
Soul Searchin' [Northquest] 2005
Various Artists
Soul Searchin' [Northquest]
Northquest 2:58
Only You [Columbia River 2005] 2005
Various Artists
Only You [Columbia River 2005]
Columbia River Entertainment Group 2:58
Slow Jams, Vol. 3 2005
Various Artists
Slow Jams, Vol. 3
SPG 3:41
Peabo Bryson Presents Classic Soul Ballads 2005
Various Artists
Peabo Bryson Presents Classic Soul Ballads
Time / Life Music 0:00
Top 20 of Soul 2005
Various Artists
Top 20 of Soul
K-Tel Distribution 2:59
The Ultimate Chi-Lites 2006
The Chi-Lites
The Ultimate Chi-Lites
Brunswick 3:37
Brunswick Top 40 R&B Singles 1966-1975 2006
Various Artists
Brunswick Top 40 R&B Singles 1966-1975
Brunswick 3:36
'70s Soul Gold 2006
Various Artists
'70s Soul Gold
Hip-O 3:37
Soul Heaven [Malaco] 2007
Various Artists
Soul Heaven [Malaco]
Malaco 3:48
Soulful Expression of 70's R&B 2008
Various Artists
Soulful Expression of 70's R&B
Rolling Stone 3:36
Jackie: Love Songs [2010] 2010
Various Artists
Jackie: Love Songs [2010]
EMI Music Distribution / UMTV 3:43
Soul: Soul Man 2012
Various Artists
Soul: Soul Man
Bellevue Publishing 3:00
The Greatest Ever... Love Songs [Bellevue] 2014
Various Artists
The Greatest Ever... Love Songs [Bellevue]
Bellevue / Wienerworld 3:02
Sweet Soul Music: 1972 2014
Various Artists
Sweet Soul Music: 1972
Bear Family Records 3:30
60 #1 Pop Hits
Various Artists
60 #1 Pop Hits
AAO Music / United Audio Entertainment 2:56
Crooklyn, Vol. 1
Various Artists
Crooklyn, Vol. 1
Geffen 3:47
D.E.F. Classics Presents Redefining the Classics, Vol. 1
Various Artists
D.E.F. Classics Presents Redefining the Classics, Vol. 1
Sugarhill 3:08
Heavenly Body/Me And You
The Chi-Lites
Heavenly Body/Me And You
Expansion Records 4:45
Soul Love: 25 Gorgeous Tracks for Lovers
Various Artists
Soul Love: 25 Gorgeous Tracks for Lovers
Dockland Music 2:56
The Best of the Best, Vol. 1
Various Artists
The Best of the Best, Vol. 1
Sugar Hill 3:08
The Greatest Love Songs of the '70s
Various Artists
The Greatest Love Songs of the '70s
Time Life 3:42