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)
Easy
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I just can't stand the pain
Girl, I'm leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me, girl
You know I've done all I can
You see, I begged, stole, and I borrowed, yeah, ooh
That's why I'm easy
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning
Why in the world would anybody put chains on me, yeah?
I've paid my dues to make it
Everybody wants me to be
What they want me to be
I'm not happy when I try to fake it, no, ooh
That's why I'm easy (yeah)
I'm easy like Sunday morning, yeah
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning
I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know the things I do are right
I wanna be free
Just me, oh babe
Ooh
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning, yeah
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning, whoa
'Cause I'm easy, woo
Easy like Sunday morning, yeah
'Cause I'm easy
Easy like Sunday morning, whoa
The lyrics to Commodores' song Easy express the feelings of a man who is tired of the pain and disappointment of a relationship. He expresses that despite all his efforts in trying to keep the relationship going by begging, stealing and borrowing, he feels it is time to leave. The man compares himself to the ease of a Sunday morning, whereby he is not weighed down by the pain and discomfort he had been experiencing.
The lyrics also express the artist's desire for freedom and the ability to be true to himself. He explains that he has worked hard to get to where he is, and he does not want to be forced to be what other people expect him to be. He wants to be free to do what he believes is right and to be who he truly is – a person who is easy-going and does not want to be weighed down by the burden of other people's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Know it sounds funny
It might sound strange or unexpected
But I just can't stand the pain
I can't handle the emotional pain anymore
Girl, I'm leaving you tomorrow
I'm telling you now that I'm leaving soon
Seems to me, girl
In my opinion, it appears that
You know I've done all I can
I've done everything I am able to do
You see, I begged, stole, and I borrowed, yeah, ooh
I even resorted to begging and stealing to try and fix things between us
That's why I'm easy
That's why I'm carefree and relaxed
I'm easy like Sunday morning
I'm as laid back as a Sunday morning
Why in the world would anybody put chains on me, yeah?
Why would anyone want to limit me
I've paid my dues to make it
I've worked hard and earned my place
Everybody wants me to be
Everyone has their own expectations of me
What they want me to be
Their version of who I should be
I'm not happy when I try to fake it, no, ooh
I'm unhappy when I pretend to be someone I'm not
I wanna be high, so high
I want to feel elated and blissful
I wanna be free to know the things I do are right
I want to have the independence to do what I believe is right
I wanna be free
I want to have the freedom to be myself
Just me, oh babe
I want to be entirely myself and no one else
That's why I'm easy
That's why I'm uncomplicated and easy-going
I'm easy like Sunday morning, yeah
I'm as relaxed as a quiet Sunday morning
'Cause I'm easy, woo
I'm carefree and easy-going
Easy like Sunday morning, yeah
As laid back as a peaceful Sunday morning
'Cause I'm easy
I'm chill and laid back
Easy like Sunday morning, whoa
As peaceful as a Sunday morning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, MUSIC.INFO FINLAND OY
Written by: Lionel Richie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markyucupisio4014
Know it sounds funny
But, I just can't stand the pain
Girl, I'm leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me girl
You know I've done all I can
You see I begged, stole, and I borrowed! (yeah)
Ooh that's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning!
Why in the world would anybody put chains on me?
I've paid my dues to make it
Everybody wants me to be
What they want me to be
I'm not happy when I try to fake it! no!
Ooh that's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning!
I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know
The things I do are right
I wanna be free
Just me! Whoa, oh! Babe!
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning, yeah
That's why I'm easy
I'm easy like Sunday morning, whoa
'Cause I'm easy
Easy like Sunday morning, yeah
'Cause I'm easy
Easy like Sunday morning
@d.antoniobrown7615
I listened to this song every single day during my deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005. It was the only way to keep my sanity.
@me-mh4qt
D. Antonio Brown thanks for your service.
@tomburns41
Thanks for your service. God bless and Prayers. Peace.
@onkelonion8288
Thank you for your service.
@lucky4724
I can relate warrior, I was overseas at the time myself, tough times don't last but tough people do !!! Welcome home my brother in arms an job well done. "ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL" "73-78" TIME SERVED #RESPECT Ooah! !!
@selsel1069
Thank you for your service thank you for risking everything
@marygenrich6234
Hearing this takes me back to the 70's, watching my beautiful mom singing to this and cleaning the house. Every Saturday was cleaning day and she played the music loud all morning. I'm so grateful for all the beautiful music she exposed my brother and I to. Listening just takes me back and since they're both no longer in this world, it just reminds me of home and good memories.
@fernandocervantesjr.3567
I hope all is well. They are smiling down on you as you vibe out to this. God Bless
@juggamina1426
Omg me too well in the 80s for me my mom just passed away and she loved this song she always had her music going never let is put on b96 in the car and im forever grateful for the best music she showed me
@fernandocervantesjr.3567
@@juggamina1426 Hope all is well with you and your family. Some of the best things our mothers can show us in life are some of the simplest. Thank you for sharing, God Bless