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)
Angels We Have Heard On High
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
See Him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raise
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
The Commodores's rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High is a beautiful and moving anthem that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics themselves are based on a traditional French carol, that has been translated into English, and have been reimagined by this band in a way that infuses the song with a sense of urgency and joy. This makes it a perfect song to be sung during the Christmas season.
The song opens with the image of angels singing high over the plains and the hills, and the echoes of their voices reverberating through the mountains. This is a beautiful depiction of the Christmas story, in which angels proclaim the good news of the birth of Christ to the shepherds in the field. The chorus, "Gloria, in excelsis Deo" ("Glory to God in the highest"), echoes the angels' message of joy and praise.
The second verse invites the listener to come to Bethlehem and see the newborn Christ, and to adore him on bended knee. This is a call to worship, and a reminder that Christ's birth is an event that is worthy of celebration and recognition. The final verse speaks directly to Mary and Joseph, calling on them to lend their aid as the choir of angels sing their praises. This is a beautiful reminder of the importance of community and the ways in which we all play a role in celebrating the birth of Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have on heard high
We have heard angels sing joyfully in the sky
Sweetly singing ore the plains
Their singing echoes beautifully across the countryside
And the mountains in reply
Even the mountains are rejoicing in response
Echoing their joyous strains
Their melody repeats in a glorious way
Come to Bethlehem and see
Come visit Bethlehem and witness the event
Christ whose birth the angels sing
The angels are singing in celebration of the birth of Christ
Come adore on bended knee
Come and show your devotion by kneeling before him
Christ the Lord the newborn King
Jesus, who is both the savior and king, has just been born
See Him in a manger laid
Observe him lying in a manger, a feed trough for cattle
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
The heavenly choirs of angels are singing praises about him
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
Mary and Joseph, please help and assist us
While our hearts in love we raise
As we express our adoration for him, our hearts are filled with love
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TRADITIONAL, MACK DONALD III BROCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind