Oh Girl

1972 single by the Chi-Lites

"Oh Girl"
Single by the Chi-Lites
from the album A Lonely Man
B-side"Being in Love"
ReleasedMarch 2, 1972
GenreR&B, soul
Length
  • 3:43 (album version)
  • 3:16 (single edit)
LabelBrunswick
Songwriter(s)Eugene Record
Producer(s)Eugene Record
The Chi-Lites singles chronology
"Have You Seen Her"
(1971) 		"Oh Girl"
(1972) 		"The Coldest Days of My Life"
(1972)

"Oh Girl" is a song written by Eugene Record and recorded by American soul vocal group the Chi-Lites, with Record on vocals and also producing. It was released as a single on Brunswick Records in 1972. Included on the group's 1972 album A Lonely Man, "Oh Girl" centers on a relationship on the verge of break-up.

"Oh Girl" was the Chi-Lites' first and only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at that position in May 1972 for one week. The single also reached the top position of the Billboard R&B Singles chart the following month, remaining in that position for two weeks.[1] Billboard ranked it as the No. 13 song for 1972.[2] In addition, it reached No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1972, and was a UK hit again in 1975 when reissued as a double A-side with "Have You Seen Her", this time reaching a new peak of No. 5.[3]

The song prominently features a harmonica.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1972) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 58
Canada RPM Top Singles 9
UK[3] 14
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[4] 1
U.S. Billboard R&B 1
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[5] 1
Chart (1975) Peak
position
UK[3] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (1972) Rank
Canada 11
US Billboard Hot 100[2] 13
US Billboard R&B[6] 14
US Cash Box [7] 33

Personnel

  • Eugene Record – lead vocals, guitar, bass, composer, producer
  • Robert "Squirrel" Lester – vocals
  • Creadel "Red" Jones – vocals
  • Marshall Thompson – vocals, harmonica, melodica
  • Floyd Morris – piano
  • Quinton Joseph – drums
  • Tom Tom (Thomas Washington) – arranger[8]

Paul Young version

"Oh Girl"
Single by Paul Young
from the album Other Voices
B-side"Leaving Home"
ReleasedJune 25, 1990[9]
GenreSoft rock[10]
Length3:33
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Eugene Record
Producer(s)Pete Wingfield
Paul Young singles chronology
"Softly Whispering I Love You"
(1990) 		"Oh Girl"
(1990) 		"Heaven Can Wait"
(1990)

The track was most prominently covered in 1990 by Paul Young, from his album Other Voices. It became a top 10 hit in the U.S. (#8) and Canada (#4). It was also a major adult contemporary hit, reaching number one on both the US and Canadian[11] Adult Contemporary charts.

Charts

Chart (1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA Charts)[12] 111
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[13] 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[14] 4
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[15] 64
Ireland (IRMA)[16] 20
Netherlands (Single Top 100) 73
New Zealand (RIANZ) 41
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 25
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 8
US Billboard Adult Contemporary 1
US Cash Box Top 100[17] 6
Chart (1990) Rank
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[18] 27
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 84

Other versions

References

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 117.
  2. ^ a b "Musicoutfitters.com". Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 103. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ a b Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  5. ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, June 3, 1972
  6. ^ "1972: The Top 100 Soul/R&B Singles – RYM/Sonemic".
  7. ^ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 30, 1972". Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  8. ^ "Soulful Detroit: This is driving me nuts: What's the instrument on "Oh Girl"?". Faac.us. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  9. ^ Smith, Robin (June 23, 1990). "This Week: The Next Seven Days in View – Releases". Record Mirror. p. 32. ISSN 0144-5804.
  10. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Best of Love: 16 Great Soft Rock Hits". AllMusic.
  11. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. September 22, 1990. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "Bubbling Down Under 17 September 1990". September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. September 29, 1990. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  14. ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. October 13, 1990. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  15. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. August 4, 1990. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  16. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Oh Girl". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  17. ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, October 6, 1990
  18. ^ "Top 100 Singles of 1990 in Canada". Music Canada. March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  19. ^ Musicoutfitters.com

External links

  • The Chi-Lites – Oh Girl on YouTube
  • Paul Young – Oh Girl on YouTube
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