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)
Let's Get Started
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sit back and watch our love grow
I′ll be winter, you'll be summer
I couldn't ask for just another
I′ll be sunday, you′ll be monday
Look into those eyes, my heart beats
Saw you standing, then I thought it
Baby, why don't we get started
Now, come on, let′s get started
Just don't leave me broken-hearted
Oh, come on, let′s get started
You are my love, come on, let's get started
All your problems disregarded
Oh, come on, let′s get started
We can say what you want
Not ever give it up
Just say what you want from me
So come on up, now, let's get started
Just don't leave me broken-hearted
Oh, come on, let′s get started
I′ll be quiet, you'll be dangerous
Want to show you just how love is
I′ll be singing, you'll be humming
Baby know that we got something
I′ll be laughing, you'll be dancing
I guess I′ll have to take the chance and
I see you standing, think about it
Baby, what if we got started?
The lyrics of Commodores' "Let's Get Started" describe the early stages of a romantic relationship, with the singers imagining themselves as the famous couple John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and using seasonal and weekly metaphors to highlight the differences and complementarity of their personalities. The first verse sets the pace of the song by introducing the idea of love growing between two people, with the male voice offering a more traditional and introverted personality as "winter", while the female voice represents a more spontaneous and extroverted nature as "summer". The next verse suggests that the relationship is already becoming serious, as the male voice wants to look into the "eyes" of his partner and feels his "heart beat" faster. The chorus then invites the couple to "get started" with their love, promising that all their problems will be "disregarded" and this will be a journey of mutual discovery and happiness.
The second verse reinforces the emotional intensity of the relationship, as the couple takes risks and challenges each other to become better versions of themselves. The male voice offers to be "quiet" and let the female voice "be dangerous", using this contrast to showcase their trust and respect for each other. The chorus repeats the call to action, urging the lovers not to leave each other "broken-hearted" and reminding them that they are each other's love. The last verse adds a playful and sensual element to the song, with the male voice singing that he will be "laughing" while the female voice will be "dancing" and he will "take the chance" to approach her. The song ends with the same question it began with: "Baby, what if we got started?", which leaves the listeners to imagine the rest of the story.
Line by Line Meaning
I’ll be John and you'll be Yoko
I propose that we become a great duo like John Lennon and Yoko Ono who demonstrated love can make the world a better place when we unite to share it.
Sit back and watch our love grow
We need not hurry, let's take this slowly and enjoy each other's company and allow our love to grow organically.
I'll be winter, you'll be summer
Like the seasons of the year, I'll be the time of the year that can be melancholic and cold while you are the time of the year that is lively and warm. Together, we complement each another just like the winter and summer seasons.
I couldn't ask for just another
I don't find a suitable mate to be with, and I don't need to look for anyone else as you are the one for me.
I'll be Sunday, you'll be Monday
You are the start of the workweek, representing the beginning of action, while I'll be Sunday, a day for rest and reflection. Our complementary nature would keep us in balance.
Look into those eyes, my heart beats
Whenever I stare into your eyes, I feel something that makes my heart thud with excitement becaues it's you who stirs it.
Saw you standing, then I thought it Baby
When I first laid eyes on you standing there, I suddenly knew something; there was an immediate attraction, and I was smitten with you.
Why don't we get started?
I can't help but feel we have phenomenal chemistry and it's about time we take our mutual attraction to the next level. Would you like to join me in starting an exciting venture together?
Just don't leave me broken-hearted
I fear the pain of starting off something wonderful only to have it crash and burn. Please don't break my heart.
You are my love, come on, let's get started
My love for you is authentic, and I want to start something real with you.
All your problems disregarded
I see you for who you truly are, and I accept all your flaws and issues. I want to start something with you despite all that.
We can say what you want
We should feel comfortable communicating with each other about our aspirations, desires, and wants. Nothing should be held back.
Not ever give it up
We have to be committed to making whatever it is we want to happen, happen no matter the obstacles.
Just say what you want from me
I want to make you happy and meet your needs. Just tell me, and I'll do it.
I'll be quiet, you'll be dangerous
I can be reserved, while you are daring and bold. I admire your confidence and fearlessness, but I also intend to be supportive and make our relationship harmonious.
Want to show you just how love is
I adore you, and I hope for an opportunity to show it to you and make you feel just how it is to be loved.
I'll be singing, you'll be humming
We can sing together or sing separate tunes. Our distinct passions complement each other, leading to a melodious and a delightful harmony.
Baby know that we got something
There's something significant about us. I feel we have a natural connection, and it's worth exploring how deep our bond goes and where it takes us.
I'll be laughing, you'll be dancing
I'll play my part in making you chuckle while you move to the beat of life in laughter and dance. That's reciprocal vital support in a relationship.
I guess I'll have to take the chance and
I know there are risks involved in starting a relationship but, I am ready to do whatever it takes to take a shot at making it work with you.
I see you standing, think about it
Looking at you standing there makes me momentarily forget my worries and instead fixate on you. Thoughts of creating something with you cross my mind.
Writer(s): Lionel Richie, Ronald Lapread, Walter Orange, William King, Milan Williams, Thomas Mcclary
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
tanya hamilton
One of my favorites by the Commodores....classic.
Not Me But You
Love this cut! This album was so good!!
Q Puryear
That intro is amazing
Mackley Street
Loved this
MzJanuary
Funky sh**. Love this album 💜