The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was co-lead singer. The band's biggest hit singles are ballads such as "Easy", "Three Times a Lady", and "Nightshift"; and funky dance hits which include "Brick House", "Fancy Dancer", "Lady (You Bring Me Up)", and "Too Hot ta Trot". In 1986 the Commodores won their first Grammy for the song "Nightshift".
Band history
The Commodores originally came together from two former groups, the Mystics and the Jays. There was even a Jazz aspect to one of the groups. They wanted to change the name. Together, a six-man band was created from which the notable individuals were Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary, and William King from the Mystics; Andre Callahan, Michael Gilbert, and Milan Williams were from the Jays. To choose a new name, William "WAK" King opened a dictionary and randomly picked a word. "We lucked out", he remarked with a laugh when telling this story to People magazine. "We almost became 'The Commodes!
The band originated while its members attended Tuskegee University in Alabama. After winning the university's annual freshman talent contest, they played at fraternity parties as well as a weekend gig at the Black Forest Inn, one of a few clubs in Tuskegee that catered to college students. They performed mostly cover tunes and some original songs with their first singer, James Ingram (not the famous solo artist). Ingram, older than the rest of the band, left to serve active duty in Vietnam, and was later replaced by Walter "Clyde" Orange, who would write or co-write many of their hit tunes. Lionel Richie and Orange alternated as lead singers. (Orange was the lead singer on the Top 10 hits "Brick House" and "Nightshift".)
The Commodores made a brief appearance in the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday. They performed the song "Too Hot ta Trot" during the dance contest; the songs "Brick House" and "Easy" were also played during the movie.
"Machine Gun", the instrumental title track from the band's debut album, became a staple at American sporting events, and is similarly featured in many films, including Boogie Nights and Looking for Mr. Goodbar. It reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975. Another instrumental, "Cebu" (named after an island in the Philippines), later became a staple in the Quiet storm format. Three albums released in 1975 and 1976 (Caught in the Act, Movin' On, and Hot on the Tracks) are considered the peak of their harder funk period. After those recordings the group started to move towards a softer sound. That move was hinted at in their 1976 Top Ten hits "Sweet Love" and "Just to Be Close to You". In 1977 the Commodores released "Easy", which became the group's biggest hit yet, reaching No. 4 in the U.S., followed by "Brick House", also top 5, both from their album The Commodores, as was "Zoom". The group reached No. 1 in 1978 with "Three Times a Lady". In 1979 the Commodores scored another top-five ballad, "Sail On", before reaching the top of the charts once again with another ballad, "Still". In 1981 they released two top-ten hits with "Oh No" (No. 4) and their first upbeat single in almost five years, "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" (No. 8).
In 1982, Lionel Richie left to pursue a solo career. A transition that was smooth but slow, Richie's departure was evident after it was mentioned to the band why his distinct sound would never be a part of The Commodores; Skyler Jett replaced Richie as co-lead singer. Also in 1982, their manager Benjamin Ashburn who also managed another band Platinum Hook died of a heart attack aged 54.
Over time, several founding members left - McClary left in 1983 (shortly after Richie) to pursue a solo career and to develop a gospel music company. McClary was replaced by guitarist-vocalist Sheldon Reynolds while LaPread left in 1986 and moved to Auckland, New Zealand and Reynolds departed for Earth, Wind & Fire in 1987, which prompted trumpeter William "WAK" King to take over primary guitar duties for live performances. Keyboardist Milan Williams exited the band in 1989 after allegedly refusing to tour South Africa.
The group also gradually abandoned its funk roots and moved into the more commercial pop arena. In 1984 former Heatwave singer James Dean "J.D." Nicholas assumed co-lead vocal duties with drummer Walter Orange. The band remained hitless until 1985 when their final Motown album, Nightshift, produced by Dennis Lambert—all prior albums were produced by James Anthony Carmichael)—delivered the Grammy Award-winning title track "Nightshift" (No. 3 in the U.S.). It was a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. In 2010 a new version was recorded, dedicated to Michael Jackson. The Commodores were on a European tour performing at Wembley Arena, London, on June 25, 2009, when they walked off the stage after they were told that Michael Jackson had died. Initially the band thought it was a hoax. However, back in their dressing rooms they received confirmation and broke down in tears. The next night at Birmingham's NIA Arena, J.D. Nicholas added Jackson's name into the lyrics of the song, and thenceforth the Commodores have mentioned Jackson and other deceased R&B singers. Thus came the inspiration upon the one-year anniversary of Jackson's death, to re-record, with new lyrics, the hit song "Nightshift" as a tribute. "Nightshift" won The Commodores their first Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 1985.
In 1990 the Commodores formed Commodores Records and re-recorded their 20 greatest hits as Commodores Hits Vol. I & II. They have recorded a live album Commodores Live! along with a DVD of the same name, and a Christmas album titled Commodores Christmas. In 2012, the band was working on new material, some contributions written by current and former members.
The Commodores now consist of Walter "Clyde" Orange, James Dean "J.D." Nicholas, and William "WAK" King, along with their five-piece band, known as the "Mean Machine". The group continues to perform, playing at arenas, theaters, and festivals around the world.
Studio albums
Machine Gun (1974)
Caught in the Act (1975)
Movin' On (1975)
Hot on the Tracks (1976)
Commodores (1977)
Natural High (1978)
Midnight Magic (1979)
Heroes (1980)
In the Pocket (1981)
Commodores 13 (1983)
Nightshift (1985)
United (1986)
Rock Solid (1988)
Commodores Christmas (1992)
No Tricks (1993)
All The Way Down
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down upon my knees
And you have broken me all the way down
You'll be the last, you'll see
Some fight you gave
And I pushed you away
From me
And in the morning when you turn in
I'll be far to sea
And you have broken me all the way down
You'll be the last, you'll see
And what chance have we got
When you've missed every shot
For me?
And in the morning when you turn in
I'll be out of reach
And in the darkness when you find this
I'll be far to sea
And you have broken me all the way down
You'll be the last, you'll see
The song "All the Way Down" by Commodores is a poignant expression of heartbreak and lost love. The lyrics convey a sense of devastation and powerlessness, as the singer expresses the extent to which his partner has hurt him. The repetition of the phrase "you have broken me all the way down" emphasizes the depth of his emotional pain, while the lines "down upon my knees" and "I'll be far to sea" suggests a physical distance and separation from his former lover.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of missed opportunities, reflecting on the lack of connection and understanding between the singer and his partner. Lines like "what chance have we got when you've missed every shot for me" suggest that the relationship was doomed from the start, possibly due to a lack of communication or incompatible needs. The final lines, "you'll be the last, you'll see," imply a sense of finality and closure, suggesting that the singer has no intention of reconciling with his former lover.
Overall, the lyrics of "All the Way Down" capture the raw, painful emotions involved in a broken relationship. The use of repetition and simple phrases creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as the singer bares his soul and expresses the depth of his despair.
Line by Line Meaning
You have broken me all the way down
I am emotionally shattered because of you
Down upon my knees
I am helpless and vulnerable before you
And you have broken me all the way down
You have caused irreparable damage to me
You'll be the last, you'll see
You will regret hurting me when you realize what you lost
Some fight you gave
You tried to make things work between us
And I pushed you away
But I rejected your efforts and didn't let you in
From me
I kept you at a distance
And in the morning when you turn in
When you wake up
I'll be far to sea
I will be gone, out of your life
And what chance have we got
Our relationship has no hope
When you've missed every shot
You have failed to make things right between us
For me?
Why should I keep trying if you won't?
And in the darkness when you find this
When you realize the truth in the midst of your confusion
I'll be far to sea
I will have moved on from you
And you have broken me all the way down
You have caused me immense pain
You'll be the last, you'll see
You will understand the consequences of your actions too late
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WALTER ORANGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind