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)
Flying High
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flyin' high
Flyin' high on a good thing
Flyin' high on your love
I knew we could make it from the beginning
The first time I saw you passing by, whoa
To me it was much more than a notion
Flyin' high on a good thing
Flyin' high on your love
Your face has a glow, girl, like a sunrise
You speak in a whisper like the wind, whoa
And when I touch you I see clearly
That we can be more than just friends
Ooh
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo (Yeah, baby)
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo doo (Woo)
Flyin' higher
For your love (Hey)
Flyin' higher
For your love
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Flyin' high on a feelin' (Baby, sing it loud)
Flyin' high
Flyin' high on a good thing
Flyin' high on your love
On your love (On your love)
On your love (On your love)
On your love (On your love)
Yeah
Flyin' (Whoa, oh)
Higher, higher (Woo), higher (High), higher, (Yeah)
The song "Flying High" by Commodores is about the exhilarating feeling of being in love. The singer describes how he knew that he and his love interest would make it from the very first time he laid eyes on her. He compares her beauty to a sunrise and her voice to a whisper like the wind. When they touch, he realizes that their connection is more than just friendship. They are both "flying high on a good thing" and the chorus repeats the notion that they are flying higher for each other's love. The song ends with a jubilant repetition of "higher," capturing the feeling of complete and utter joy that comes with being in love.
The lyrics to this song are relatively simple, but they effectively capture the feeling of being in love. The use of nature imagery (sunrise, wind) adds a layer of romance to the lyrics, and the repetition of "flying high" reinforces the theme of the song. The Commodores were known for their smooth and soulful sound, and "Flying High" is a prime example of their style.
Line by Line Meaning
Flyin' high on a feelin'
Experiencing great happiness and excitement
Flyin' high
Feeling euphoric and carefree
Flyin' high on a good thing
Feeling joyful and content with a positive situation or relationship
Flyin' high on your love
Feeling elated and fulfilled by the love and affection of another person
I knew we could make it from the beginning
Feeling confident in the potential for a successful relationship
The first time I saw you passing by, whoa
Recalling the moment when the singer first saw their romantic partner
To me it was much more than a notion
Believing strongly in the potential for a deep and meaningful connection
It was the fire in your eyes
Recognizing the passion and intensity in their partner's gaze
Your face has a glow, girl, like a sunrise
Noticing the beauty and radiance in their partner's appearance
You speak in a whisper like the wind, whoa
Marveling at the soft and gentle tone of their partner's voice
And when I touch you I see clearly
Feeling a deeper sense of emotional connection and understanding
That we can be more than just friends
Realizing the possibility of a romantic relationship beyond platonic affection
Flyin' higher
Continuing to experience intense feelings of love and happiness
For your love (Hey)
Feeling increasingly devoted and committed to their partner
On your love (On your love)
Emphasizing the central role that their partner's love plays in their life
Yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement
Flyin' (Whoa, oh)
Feeling unrestrained and exhilarated
Higher, higher (Woo), higher (High), higher, (Yeah)
Experiencing progressively greater joy and elation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LIONEL RICHIE, THOMAS MCCLARY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jaylen E. Turner
Lionel Richie
(Lead Vocals;
Piano)
Walter Orange
(Drums and Percussion;
Background Vocals)
William King
(Trumpet;
Background Vocals)
Ronald LaPread
(Bass Guitar;
Background Vocals)
Thomas McClary
(Lead Guitar;
Background Vocals)
Milan Williams
(Keyboards and percussion)
(R.I.P.)
Clinton P. 1701
I played this album to death when I was a teenager in the 70's, great memories.
Vee Barton
ME too!! I won it and tickets in DC when Carter was Present
Diane Kiddle
Ditto
CJ Barwick
I have adored this song from the minute it came out!
R B C
Indeed....
pbruc brooks
This is feel good stuff. That harmony is awesome!!
steveland76
This is another example of when music was music. Real music at its finest. There's just something that I love about old school music. The musicianship alone just gets me excited whenever I listen to it.
Kenny Dee
Everything's artificial now .
Dee Jay
Speak on it bro...
Mike Halpern
Preach!