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 Lambertโall prior albums were produced by James Anthony Carmichael)โdelivered 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)
Brickhouse
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's mighty-mighty, just lettin' it all hang out
She's a brick house
That lady's stacked and that's a fact
Ain't holding nothing back
Ow, she's a brick house
Well put-together, everybody knows
She knows she got everything
That a woman needs to get a man, yeah, yeah
How can she lose with the stuff she use
Thirty-six, twenty-four, thirty-six oh what a winning hand
'Cause she's a brick house
She's mighty-mighty, just lettin' it all hang out
She's a brick house
Ow, that lady stacked and that's a fact
Ain't holding nothing back
Ow, she's a brick house
Yeah, she's the one, the only one, built like an amazon
The clothes she wears, her sexy ways
Make an old man wish for younger days, yeah, yeah
She knows she's built and knows how to please
Sure enough to knock a strong man to his knees
'Cause she's a brick house
Yeah, she's mighty mighty, just lettin' it all hang out
She's a brick house
The lady's stacked and that's a fact
Ain't holding nothing back
Shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down now
Brick house
Yeah, she's mighty mighty, just lettin' it all hang out
She's a brick house
Yeah, she's the one, the only one, built like an amazon, yeah
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it, shake it
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it down now
Shake it down, shake it down, shake it
Ow, a brick house
The lyrics of "Brick House" describe a woman who is confident about her physical attributes, and she knows how to use them to her advantage. She is a brick house, meaning she is solid, robust, and appealing. The singer implies that the woman he is singing about is curvy and voluptuous, and this adds to her appeal. She is built like an amazon, and she knows how to use her body to get what she wants. The song emphasizes the woman's physical attributes, and her ability to attract men, which is a common theme in many funk songs. The singer also mentions the woman's clothing and demeanor, further adding to her appeal.
The song's message about the woman's physical attributes and her confidence in using them is intended to celebrate a strong, empowered woman. The lyrics seem to say that a woman should be proud of her body and use it to her advantage. It is a song that has endured for decades and has become an anthem for women who are confident in their own skin.
Line by Line Meaning
Ow, she's a brick house
Wow, she is a stunningly attractive woman.
She's mighty-mighty, just lettin' it all hang out
She is self-assured and confidently flaunts her physical attributes.
That lady's stacked and that's a fact
She has an impressive, curvy figure that is impossible to miss.
Ain't holding nothing back
She is unafraid to show off her body and personality with all her might.
Well put-together, everybody knows
She has an aesthetically pleasing appearance that is easily appreciated by onlookers.
This is how the story goes
This is how she is known and talked about by others.
She knows she got everything
She has the confidence and self-awareness to recognize her own value.
That a woman needs to get a man, yeah, yeah
She possesses all the necessary elements to attract and keep a man's attention.
How can she lose with the stuff she use
She has all the tools she needs to succeed and is unbeatable.
Thirty-six, twenty-four, thirty-six oh what a winning hand
Her body measurements are precisely what men desire, making her irresistible.
Yeah, she's the one, the only one, built like an amazon
She is unique in her stature, like a legendary Amazon warrior.
The clothes she wears, her sexy ways
Her clothing and behavior are both suggestive and enticing to those around her.
Make an old man wish for younger days, yeah, yeah
Her youthfulness and beauty make older men regretful of their own aging bodies.
She knows she's built and knows how to please
She recognizes her own physical attractiveness and how to use it to her advantage.
Sure enough to knock a strong man to his knees
She is powerful enough to humble even the strongest men.
Shake it down, shake it down now
Encouraging her to move in a way that showcases her physical attributes.
Brick house
A slang term indicating a curvy and sexy woman.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LIONEL RICHIE, MILAN WILLIAMS, RONALD LAPREAD, THOMAS MCCLARY, WALTER ORANGE, WILLIAM KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lori Parker
I told my husband that I wanted this played at my funeral and he was like "OH HELL NO!!"
Couber
That's reason enough for a divorce.
Rachael D
Divorce! We played this at my Mom's funeral. She loved this and Aretha and Tom Jones.
Phil Wood
@Couber loop
Phil Wood
Ok pl lol o
Phil Wood
@Couber t and in wk
Carrie Froman
Makes me smile and to think I heard this excellent music on 8 trac tape the first time. Great memories
Ree McLaughlin
Weโre old! Weโre still here enjoying! โฎ๏ธ๐ธ
Kevin Gumfory
COMMODORES greatest hits. My very first 8 track followed by Queen The game. Different worlds now. I can't get with rap. Has nothin to offer me. But fck yeah I still do George Clinton. And Smokey. And a list of others. Good times man.
mary
What era !!! No era ! Was better than the 70โs, greatest shows ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ