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)
SWEET LOVE
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show me a mountain so high
I'll show you love that'll last forever
Flyin' high, so high
Ah, show me a place where dreams are for dreamers
And all the things you wish come true, yeah
I'd wish the world had all happy people
Then there'd be no more wishing to do
Oh
Sweet love
Oh
Sweet love
Oh
Woo
Sweet, sweet love
Sun shines over the rainbow
High on a hill
Take a ride on a magic carpet
And you know it's for real
The world is filled with all the lonely people
Trying to find their way
All they need is a hand to guide them
To a brighter day
Oh
Sweet love (sweet, sweet love)
Oh (well, well)
Sweet love (sweet, sweet love)
Oh
Woo, yeah
Sweet love, yeah
Sweet love that comes through the ages
Reach out and touch my soul
Give my life so much meaning
And everyone a heart of gold
Oh
Sweet love (well, well, well)
Oh
Sweet love (sweet, sweet, sweet love)
Oh
(Sweet sweet, sweet sweet love)
Oh you needed love, woo
(Sweet love)
Sweet, sweet love
(Oh)
Sweet love, well
I know you're searchin'
I know you're searchin' for a little love
A little peace and understanding
And I know it's been hard tryin' to find your way
But you got to keep on searchin' harder, day by day
'Cause I want you, and you, you, you, you, you, you, you you and you
To stand on up, yes sir
Put a little love in your heart
Or a little heart in your love
Together we can make a way
Huh, listen to me
Don't wonder too hard, oh, of what I trying to say
'Cause it's love, love's the only way
Oh, nothin' but love
Oh (love)
Sweet love (Sweet love, ow)
Oh (when you're down and out and you can't see your way)
Sweet love (and you need a friend, well)
Oh (Just call on love, love)
Sweet love (sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love)
The lyrics to the Commodores' "Sweet Love" speak to the search for true love and happiness, and the belief that these things are attainable even in a world filled with hardship and loneliness. The singer calls for a world without wishing, where dreams come true and people are happy. He believes that love can fulfill this wish and make life more meaningful. The lyrics speak of the power of love to reach through the ages, to touch the soul, and to give everyone a heart of gold.
The imagery in the lyrics is evocative and speaks to the power of nature and the magical possibilities of life. The singer asks to be shown a river that's deep or a mountain that's high, but claims that he can show love that will last forever. He speaks of flying high and riding on a magic carpet, images that evoke a sense of freedom and magic. The world is filled with lonely people, the lyrics say, but all they need is a hand to guide them to a brighter day. Love can be that hand, encouraging people to keep searching for connection and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me a river that's so deep
Demonstrate to me something that is truly profound
Show me a mountain so high
Show me something that's really monumental
I'll show you love that'll last forever
I'll illustrate to you an undying love
Flyin' high, so high
Feeling ecstatic and exuberant
Ah, show me a place where dreams are for dreamers
Oh, present me a location wherein the aspirations belong to those who imagine
And all the things you wish come true, yeah
Where all your desires are fulfilled, yeah
I'd wish the world had all happy people
I would desire for happiness to be ubiquitous
Then there'd be no more wishing to do
And subsequently, no more yearning
Oh Sweet love
Oh, the incomparable and beautiful thing that love is
Sun shines over the rainbow
The sun shines beyond the ordinary
High on a hill
The top of a hill
Take a ride on a magic carpet
Take an enchanted journey on a magic carpet
And you know it's for real
And it actually doesn't get any better than that
The world is filled with all the lonely people
Lonely people fill the world
Trying to find their way
Searching for their way in life
All they need is a hand to guide them
All they need is someone to show them the way
To a brighter day
To a happier future
Sweet love that comes through the ages
The wonderful love that is handed down through generations
Reach out and touch my soul
Extend a hand to my soul and connect with it
Give my life so much meaning
Give me enough meaning to keep existing
And everyone a heart of gold
To every person, a compassionate heart
I know you're searchin'
I understand you are looking for something
For a little love
A bit of love
A little peace and understanding
Some peace and empathy
And I know it's been hard tryin' to find your way
And I know it has been strenuous finding your path in life
But you got to keep on searchin' harder, day by day
But you have to continue seeking with hard work daily
Or a little heart in your love
Or even a slight amount of fondness in your affection
Together we can make a way
We can facilitate a journey together
Don't wonder too hard, oh, of what I trying to say
Do not think too much of what I'm telling you
Sweet love, well
The divine and wonderful affection, well
Oh, nothing but love
Oh, nothing but the positive and all-encompassing emotion that is love
(love)
Love
And you need a friend, well
When you require a friend, well
Just call on love
Simply call out for love
Love's the only way
Love is the only method
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lionel B. Jr. Richie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind