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)
Three Times a Lady
Commodores Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The memories are all in my mind
And now that we've come to the end of our rainbow
There's something i must say out loud
You're once, twice, three times a lady
And I love you
Yes, you're once, twice, three times a lady
When we are together the moments I cherish
With every beat of my heart
To touch you, to hold you
To feel you, to need you
There's nothing to keep us apart
You're once, twice, three times a lady
And I love you, I love you
The song Three Times A Lady by Commodores is a heartfelt ballad about a man expressing his love and gratitude to the woman in his life who has become an irreplaceable part of it. Through the song, he reminisces about the good times they shared together and expresses his deep admiration and love for her.
The lyrics "Thanks for the times that you've given me, the memories are all in my mind" show the deep appreciation the singer has for the memories created with his loved one. It is a way of saying that no matter what happens, these memories will remain treasured in his heart forever. The lyrics "When we are together, the moments I cherish with every beat of my heart" show how much he enjoys every moment with her and how every moment spent together is precious to him.
The singer ends the song by saying "You're once, twice, three times a lady and I love you." The repetition of "once, twice, three times" shows how significant she is to him and how he could express it multiple times. It is a beautiful way of expressing the intensity of his love for her.
Overall, the song is a touching portrayal of love and gratitude towards someone special. It showcases the importance of cherishing memories and being grateful for the people we love and hold dear.
Line by Line Meaning
Thanks for the times that you've given me
I appreciate all the moments we've shared together
The memories are all in my mind
I will always remember the moments we shared fondly
And now that we've come to the end of our rainbow
As our time together comes to a close, there's something I need to say
There's something I must say out loud
I need to express my feelings to you
You're once, twice, three times a lady
You are a lady of great value to me, in every way
And I love you
I have strong feelings of love for you
Yes, you're once, twice, three times a lady
I cannot express enough how much I value and cherish you as a lady
When we are together the moments I cherish
When we spend time together, every moment is precious to me
With every beat of my heart
I have a passionate and deep love for you
To touch you, to hold you
I desire physical connection with you, to feel close and connected
To feel you, to need you
I not only want you, but I need you in my life
There's nothing to keep us apart
No obstacle or distance can come between us and our love
And I love you, I love you
My love for you is strong, and I want to make sure you know it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lionel Richie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kittyproudfoot9877
This was my husband’s song for me. We had 34 wonderful years together and I cry every time I hear it.
@Sergidy
E o que aconteceu com ele?Me perdoe a pergunta.
@JS45678
I am so sincerely sorry for the loss of your beloved Husband. May you find peace, comfort, and strength in the time ahead. 🙏😔
@EZbasser1
My Wife was Three Times a Lady for Forty years and Now she is Three Times an Angel in Heaven.
@pameladerouen760
God blessed you Earl....
@kennethhindle7930
iv'e just read that sorry mate but it is a good song
@MrMontonman
Take care Earl that is a beautiful sentiment and a sign of how muched you loved her.
@stansell1
Mine too.
@angeltears8370
Earl Hedrick ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@johnrowell5448
I was 18yrs old was I would sing this song my future wife over and over. I loved her so much. And still do till this day after 28 yrs of marriage and loosing her 16 yes ago to breast cancer. Love you baby and always will. ❤