Oh Girl

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"Oh Girl" is a Number one single, recorded by the soul vocal group, The Chi-Lites, and released on Brunswick Records in 1972. Included on the group's 1972 album A Lonely Man, "Oh Girl" centers around a relationship on the verge of break-up. The narrator, portrayed by the song's author Eugene Record, expressess concern that the break-up may prove unbearable for him ("Oh girl/I'd be in trouble if you left me now/'Cause I don't know where to look for love/I just don't know how"), while knowing that staying will be no better ("I could save myself a lot of useless tears/Girl I've got to get away from here"; "Better be on my way, I can't stay here").

"Oh Girl" was the Chi-Lites first and only Number one single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at that position in May of that year for one week. The single also reached the top position of Billboard's R&B Singles chart the following month, remaining in that position for two weeks. In addition, it reached number fourteen on the UK Singles Chart in July 1972.

[edit] Covers and uses in the medias

• Over thirty years later, the recording was sampled by the Southern rapper, Paul Wall, for his 2006 single Girl.
• It was covered in a punk style by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes on their 2003 album, Take a Break.
• The track was also performed in the 1990s by Paul Young.
• "Oh Girl" was featured on The Sopranos during Season 4. This song caused Tony to attack Assemblyman Zellman.
• "Oh Girl" was also covered by British hip hop artist Hard Livin'

Preceded by "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack	Billboard Hot 100 number one single (The Chi-Lites version) May 27, 1972	Succeeded by "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers
Preceded by "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers	Billboard's Hot Soul number one single (The Chi-Lites version) June 3 - June 10, 1972	Succeeded by "Woman's Gotta Have It" by Bobby Womack