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)
The First Noel
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born is the King of Israel
The first Noel, the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields where they
Lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
They looked up
And saw a star
Shining in the the East
Beyond them far
And to the earth it
It gave great light
And so it continued
Both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
And by the light of that same star,
Three wise men came
From country far;
To seek for a King
Was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.
Born is the King of Israel.
The song "First Noel" by Commodores is a popular and classic Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The song begins with the repetition of the word "Noel," which means Christmas in French. The first verse speaks about the message of an angel to a group of poor shepherds, announcing the birth of the King of Israel, referring to Jesus. The scene is set in a cold winter night, with the shepherds watching over their sheep in the fields.
In the second verse, the shepherds witness a bright star in the sky that leads them to the baby Jesus. The star shines both day and night, indicating the divine and eternal nature of Jesus. The final verse mentions the wise men who come from a distant land to seek the King, guided by the same star. The chorus repeats the message that the King of Israel has been born.
The song "First Noel" has a beautiful and simple melody that is easy to sing along and is often performed by choirs during Christmas. The lyrics are powerful as they tell the story of the origins of Christianity and remind us of the importance of Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus, the King of Israel.
Line by Line Meaning
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
The refrain of the song, expressing joy and celebration of the birth of the King of Israel.
Born is the King of Israel
The reason for the celebration - the birth of the King of Israel.
The first Noel, the angel did say
The angel announced the birth of the King to the poor shepherds in the fields, marking the first Noel.
Was to certain poor shepherds
The announcement was made specifically to poor shepherds, showing that the King brings hope and salvation to all people regardless of social status.
In fields as they lay
The shepherds were resting in fields, illustrating the humble and ordinary circumstances of the King's birth.
In fields where they Lay keeping their sheep
The shepherds were tending to their sheep while the announcement was made, emphasizing their humble profession.
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
The timing of the announcement further emphasized the humble circumstances of the King's birth, as it occurred in the midst of a cold, dark winter night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
The refrain of the song, repeated to reinforce the message of celebration and joy.
Born is the King of Israel
The reason for the celebration, repeated to reinforce the message that the King has been born.
They looked up
The shepherds directed their attention to the source of the light.
And saw a star
The source of the light was a star, indicating that the birth of the King was a significant event that even the heavens acknowledged.
Shining in the East beyond them far
The star was located in the East and its light was visible from a far distance, further emphasizing the significance of the King's birth.
And to the earth it it gave great light
The star shone brightly upon the earth, illuminating the way towards the King.
And so it continued both day and night
The star continued to shine both day and night, again emphasizing the magnitude of the King's birth.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
The refrain of the song, repeated to remind us of the reason for the celebration.
Born is the King of Israel.
The reason for the celebration, repeated to reinforce that the King has indeed been born.
And by the light of that same star,
The star again plays a significant role, guiding three wise men from a far country towards the King.
Three wise men came from country far;
The wise men, representing the world outside of Israel, recognized the significance of the King's birth and journeyed from afar to pay homage.
To seek for a King was their intent,
The wise men were in search of the King, indicating that the birth of the King had far-reaching implications beyond Israel.
And to follow the star wherever it went.
The wise men were led by the star to the King, further illustrating the importance of the star in guiding people towards the King.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
The refrain of the song, repeated one last time to conclude the celebration of the King's birth.
Born is the King of Israel.
The final statement, emphasizing that the King of Israel has indeed been born.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Calello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind