Tag Archives: The Commodores

♫ Three Times A Lady ♫ (Redux)

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music

Okay, so tonight I have a special song request from some character named Filosofa … oh wait … that’s ME!  Yep, folks, I’m in the mood for some Lionel Richie tonight, and so I’m treating myself!  I hope you guys like it as much as I do!

Three Times a Lady, released in 1978, was written by Lionel Richie who said …

“I wrote it back in 1978 and it was a very personal meaning to me. I attended the wedding anniversary of my parents and my father made a speech about how much he loved my mother and appreciated the way she had stood beside him for 37 years. It was beautiful and I started to think about my own life and how my wife stands by me, how she does so many things without being asked or thanked. So, I wrote ‘Three Times A Lady’ as a dedication to my wife and my mother. I think my next door neighbor summed it up when she said that if a man wanted to buy her a present, all he need do is buy her that record and he wouldn’t have to say anything else.”

Awwww … doesn’t it bring a tear to your eye?  Ladies, if you are ever lucky enough to have a man say that to you, hold him tight and never let him go, for he’s a keeper!  Well … maybe.  This song was released in 1978 and in 1993, Lionel and his wife, Brenda Harvey, divorced after she was arrested for “corporal injury to a spouse, resisting arrest, trespassing, vandalism, battery, and disturbing the peace” after finding Lionel at someone else’s apartment.  Okay, perhaps my next song should be Chad & Jeremy’s A Summer Song that has a line …

“They say that all good things must end someday …”

This was the first #1 hit Lionel Richie wrote, but far from his last: he wrote songs that were #1 US hits in each of the next seven years, giving him the record for most consecutive #1 songs by a songwriter who was never a Beatle (Paul McCartney wrote songs that went to #1 1964-1971).  In the UK, this was #1 for five weeks. It was the biggest UK hit for Motown Records.

Three Times a Lady
Commodores

Thanks for the times that you’ve given me
The memories are all in mind
And now that we’ve come
To the end of our rainbow
There’s something I must say out loud!

Your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you
Yes, your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you!

You shared my dreams
My joys
My pains
You made my life worth living for
And if I had to live my life over again, dear
I’d spend each and every moment with you

Your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you
Yes, your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you!

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 !

Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Three Times a Lady lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

♫ Easy ♫ (Redux)

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music

For some reason … probably a combination of things like a respiratory infection I’ve been fighting for two weeks, the news from the past week, and the state of the world, I find myself on the brink of tears tonight.  I need a pick-me-up, something to bring a smile to my face.  I KNOW — LIONEL RICHIE!!!  Lionel and Stevie Wonder are two people who can most always bring a smile and wipe away the tears.   I’ve played this one only once, back in 2019, so it’s fair game for a redux.

It was almost too easy.  In a back-and-forth comment, Padre Steve mentioned something called “Sirius Radio 70s on 7”.  Now, I vaguely remembered hearing of Sirius Radio, but really had no idea what it was, or how it worked.  But, I decided to check into it, and I’m so glad I did.  It’s so easy that even I could figure it out, and while there are hundreds of different decades and genre combinations to choose from, I decided to stick, for my first foray into the unknown, with Padre’s recommendation.  Wow … better than my ipod playlist, more variety!  And best of all … it’s FREE! The third song I heard was one by the Commodores … surely I must have already played that one, right?  A trip to the archives, check, double-check … nope … I can’t believe I haven’t already played this one.  Almost too Easy!

Commodores lead singer Lionel Richie wrote this song, which became a crossover hit for the band, bringing them into pop and adult contemporary territory when they were previously pure funk.

The guitar solo, played by group founder Thomas McClary, was tricky business.

“When you have lyrics in a song that say, ‘Why in the world would anybody put chains on me? I’ve paid my dues to make it,’ you have to match the intensity of those lyrics to a sound and a feel that musically portrays the same intensity and the same context of what you’re saying. A lot of ballads, the song would just end, but we wanted the guitar solo to take it to another level of intensity. So that was basically the inspiration behind it.”

I never knew, until tonight, how the Commodores got their name.  The seven original members each had a name they liked, so they agreed to throw a dictionary in the air and blind-pick a word on the page it landed on. That word was “Commodore,” which was a ranking in the United States Navy that is no longer used. They came very close to being “The Commodes.”

This song made it to #4 in the U.S., #9 in the UK, and #12 in Canada.

Easy
Commodores

Know it sounds funny
But, I just can’t stand the pain
Girl, I’m leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me girl
You know I’ve done all I can
You see I begged, stole, and I borrowed! (yeah)

Ooh that’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning!

Why in the world would anybody put chains on me?
I’ve paid my dues to make it
Everybody wants me to be
What they want me to be
I’m not happy when I try to fake it! no!

Ooh that’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning!

I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know
The things I do are right
I wanna be free
Just me! Whoa, oh! Babe!

That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning, yeah
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning, whoa
‘Cause I’m easy
Easy like Sunday morning, yeah
‘Cause I’m easy
Easy like Sunday morning

Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Easy lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

♫ Still ♫ (Redux)

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, History, music, Personal, Social commentary

I’ve only played this one once, back in 2018, but it seemed to somehow fit in with my earlier morning post, On Friendship.  And who better to sing a sad song and yet bring a smile than Lionel Richie, right?

This was written by Lionel Richie for a couple who decided to end their marriage in order to save their friendship. Commodore’s member Lionel Richie got the idea for this song from the failing marriage of his childhood friend William “Smitty” Smith. After Smith’s marriage broke up the two buddies had a long conversation from 9:00 pm to sunrise in which they agreed that it’s better to divorce as friends rather than stay married and hate each other.

This song charted at #2 in Canada, #4 in the UK, and #1 in the U.S.

Still
Lionel Richie

Lady, morning’s just a moment away
And I’m without you once again
You laughed at me, you said you’ve never needed me
I wonder if you need me now
We played the games that people play
We made mistakes along the way
Somehow I know deep in my heart, you needed me
Remembering the pain, if I must say
It’s deep in my mind and locked away
But then most of all, I do love you
Still

Those memories, times I’m sure we’ll never forget
Those feelings we can’t put aside
For what we had, sometimes I try to understand
But it’s so heavy on my mind
So many dreams that flew away, so many words we didn’t say
Two people lost in a storm, where did we go, where’d we go?
Lost what we both had found, you know we let each other down
But then most of all, I do love you
Still

We played the games that people play
We made our mistakes along the way
Somehow I know deep in my heart, you needed me
‘Cause I needed you so desperately
We were too blind to see, but then
Most of all, I do love you
Still

Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Still lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Monster Mish-Mash

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, music, Re-blogs

Since I was not able to do a music post this morning, I am instead sharing our friend David’s Saturday music treats! He’s done a great mix today, one that will brighten your day and give you something to sing about! Thanks, David!

The BUTHIDARS

Or, where my mind takes me. And for a start it takes me back to an old favourite straight away. Let’s slip back to 1973.

Dobie Grey- Drift Away.

Back to 1968 now and a truly unusual record.

Sly and the family Stone – Everyday People

1985 next finds one of my favourite groups outside Motown in action.

Commodores- Nightshift

I’m getting almost modern now with a single from 1978. Bob Segar is a World Class writer and performer. Here he is with his Silver Bullet Band.

Bob Segar- Hollywood Nights

Finally, from 1985 I bring you a man whom some say the word conceited was written. Well, judging by some of his partners I’d say he has every right. But, and this is the important bit. He’s hugely talented and this single was what blew me away when I first heard it. Simply Red with Holding Back the Years…

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♫ Nightshift ♫ (Redux)

Posted on by under music

Yes, yes … I played this one just over a year ago … September 2019.  But, I had a request of sorts for it, and as I listened to it again, I really wanted to play it again!  I do love this one, so please bear with me …

This song, released in 1985, is a tribute to singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984. Gaye was a Motown star known for love songs like Let’s Get It On and Sexual Healing. Wilson was an R&B singer known for his stirring performances and hits like Lonely Teardrops. Wilson was 49 when he died; Gaye was 44. Both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The songwriter Franne Golde was brought in to help with the lyrics. She had recently seen the 1982 movie Night Shift (starring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton; directed by Ron Howard), which gave her the idea for the title.  This is the Commodores’ only hit since Lionel Richie left the band in 1982. J.D. Nicholas, a former backup singer for Diana Ross, was brought in to replace Richie.  When this song was performed on Motown Returns to the Apollo in the early ’80s, more verses were added to honor other Motown legends who had passed on.

Nightshift
Commodores

Marvin, he was a friend of mine
And he could sing a song
His heart in every line
Marvin sang of the joy and pain
He opened up our minds
And I still can hear him say
Aw talk to me so you can see
What’s going on
Say you will sing your songs
Forevermore (evermore)

Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Jackie (Jackie), hey what’you doing now
It seems like yesterday
When we were working out
Jackie (Jackie, oh) you set
The world on fire
You came and gifted us
Your love it lifted us
Higher and higher
Keep it up and
We’ll be there
At your side
Oh say you will sing
Your songs forevermore (evermore)

Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Gonna miss your sweet voice
That soulful voice
On the nightshift
We all remember you
Ooh the songs are coming through
At the end of a long day
It’s gonna be okay
On the nightshift
You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Songwriters: Franne Golde / Dennis Lambert / Walter Orange
Nightshift – Single Version lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management Inc, BMG Rights Management

♫ Easy ♫

Posted on by under music

It was almost too easy.  In a back-and-forth comment, Padre Steve mentioned something called “Sirius Radio 70s on 7”.  Now, I vaguely remembered hearing of Sirius Radio, but really had no idea what it was, or how it worked.  But, I decided to check into it, and I’m so glad I did.  It’s so easy that even I could figure it out, and while there are hundreds of different decades and genre combinations to choose from, I decided to stick, for my first foray into the unknown, with Padre’s recommendation.  Wow … better than my ipod playlist, more variety!  And best of all … it’s FREE! The third song I heard was one by the Commodores … surely I must have already played that one, right?  A trip to the archives, check, double-check … nope … I can’t believe I haven’t already played this one.  Almost too Easy!

Commodores lead singer Lionel Richie wrote this song, which became a crossover hit for the band, bringing them into pop and adult contemporary territory when they were previously pure funk.

The guitar solo, played by group founder Thomas McClary, was tricky business.

“When you have lyrics in a song that say, ‘Why in the world would anybody put chains on me? I’ve paid my dues to make it,’ you have to match the intensity of those lyrics to a sound and a feel that musically portrays the same intensity and the same context of what you’re saying. A lot of ballads, the song would just end, but we wanted the guitar solo to take it to another level of intensity. So that was basically the inspiration behind it.”

I never knew, until tonight, how the Commodores got their name.  The seven original members each had a name they liked, so they agreed to throw a dictionary in the air and blind-pick a word on the page it landed on. That word was “Commodore,” which was a ranking in the United States Navy that is no longer used. They came very close to being “The Commodes.”

Easy
Commodores

Know it sounds funny
But, I just can’t stand the pain
Girl, I’m leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me girl
You know I’ve done all I can
You see I begged, stole, and I borrowed! (yeah)

Ooh that’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning!

Why in the world would anybody put chains on me?
I’ve paid my dues to make it
Everybody wants me to be
What they want me to be
I’m not happy when I try to fake it! no!

Ooh that’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning!

I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know
The things I do are right
I wanna be free
Just me! Whoa, oh! Babe!

That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning, yeah
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning, whoa
‘Cause I’m easy
Easy like Sunday morning, yeah
‘Cause I’m easy
Easy like Sunday morning

Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Easy lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

♫ Nightshift ♫

Posted on by under music

This song, released in 1985, is a tribute to singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984. Gaye was a Motown star known for love songs like Let’s Get It On and Sexual Healing. Wilson was an R&B singer known for his stirring performances and hits like Lonely Teardrops. Wilson was 49 when he died; Gaye was 44. Both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The songwriter Franne Golde was brought in to help with the lyrics. She had recently seen the 1982 movie Night Shift (starring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton; directed by Ron Howard), which gave her the idea for the title.  This is the Commodores’ only hit since Lionel Richie left the band in 1982. J.D. Nicholas, a former backup singer for Diana Ross, was brought in to replace Richie.  When this song was performed on Motown Returns to the Apollo in the early ’80s, more verses were added to honor other Motown legends who had passed on.

Nightshift
Commodores

Marvin, he was a friend of mine
And he could sing a song
His heart in every line
Marvin sang of the joy and pain
He opened up our minds
And I still can hear him say
Aw talk to me so you can see
What’s going on
Say you will sing your songs
Forevermore (evermore)

Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Jackie (Jackie), hey what’you doing now
It seems like yesterday
When we were working out
Jackie (Jackie, oh) you set
The world on fire
You came and gifted us
Your love it lifted us
Higher and higher
Keep it up and
We’ll be there
At your side
Oh say you will sing
Your songs forevermore (evermore)

Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Gonna be some sweet sounds
Coming down on the nightshift
I bet you’re singing proud
Oh I bet you’ll pull a crowd
Gonna be a long night
It’s gonna be all right
On the nightshift
Oh you found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Gonna miss your sweet voice
That soulful voice
On the nightshift
We all remember you
Ooh the songs are coming through
At the end of a long day
It’s gonna be okay
On the nightshift
You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

Songwriters: Franne Golde / Dennis Lambert / Walter Orange
Nightshift – Single Version lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management Inc, BMG Rights Management

♫ Truly ♫

Posted on by under music

Some nights, ya just want some Lionel, y’know?  This is one of those nights.  I’ve got worries on my mind tonight, and I want Lionel to take them away for just a few minutes.

Released in 1982, this was Lionel’s first solo single after leaving the Commodores earlier in the year.  Richie’s co-producer on this track was James Anthony Carmichael, who worked on most of the Commodores material.  Richie wrote the song and co-produced it with James Anthony Carmichael.

After 18 nominations (mostly for songs with the Commodores), Richie finally won his first Grammy when this took the award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male in 1983. Richie almost skipped the ceremony, as he was nominated each of the previous five years and had come up empty handed each time.

Truly
Lionel Richie

Girl, tell me only this
That I’ll have your heart for always
And you want me by your side
Whispering the words “I’ll always love you”

And forever
I will be your lover
And I know if you really care
I will always be there

I need to tell you this
There’s no other love like your love
And I, as long as I live
I’ll give you all the joy
My heart and soul can give

Let me hold you
I need to have you near me
And I feel with you in my arms
This love will last forever

Because I’m truly
Truly in love with you, girl
I’m truly head over heels with your love
I need you, and with your love I’m free
And truly, you know you’re all right

With me

Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Truly lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

♫ Sail On ♫

Posted on by under music

‘Tis one of those nights when I am melancholy, memories of times past are replaying in my mind, and I’m recovering from the “Day From Hell”.  Now, you all know where I turn on nights like this, right?  Gotta be either Lionel or Stevie.  I seem to have played most of their best ones, but tonight I found an old favourite that I haven’t played here yet.

I was able to find very little background information about this song other than that it was produced by both Commodores and James Anthony Carmichael. The song reached the top ten on both the US and UK music charts that same year. Richie later recorded the song with Tim McGraw for 2012’s Tuskegee.  So … just listen and (hopefully) enjoy.

Sail On
Lionel Richie

Sail on down the line ’bout-a half-a mile or so
And-a don’t really wanna know-a where you’re goin’
Maybe once or twice, you see, time after time
I tried-a to, to hold on to what we got, but-a now you’re goin’
And I don’t mind about the things you’re gonna say, Lord
I gave all my money, and my time
I know it’s a shame, but I’m givin’ you back your name, yeah, yeah
Yes I’ll be on my way, I won’t be back to stay
I guess I’ll move along, I’m lookin’ for a good time

Sail on down the line, ain’t it funny how the time can go on-a
Friends say they told me so, but it doesn’t matter
It was plain to see that a small town boy like me
Just-a wasn’t your cup of tea
It was wishful thinkin’
I gave you my heart and I tried to make you happy
And you gave me nothin’ in return
You know, it ain’t so hard to say, “Would you please just go away,” yeah, yeah
I’ve thrown away the blues, I’m tired of bein’ used
I want everyone to know I’m lookin’ for a good time, good time

Sail on honey
Good times never felt so good
Sail on honey
Good times never felt so good
Sail on sugar
Good times never felt so good

Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Sail On lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

♫ Three Times A Lady ♫

Posted on by under music

Y’know how some nights you’re just in the mood for something and nothing else will do?  Like … cracked pepper potato chips, or jalapeño cheese dip … or Lionel Richie!  So, tonight I had a whole medley of Lionel going through my head, from Lady to Still, but of course I’ve already played most of the ones I heard in my mind.  The two I hadn’t played were Easy and Three Times A Lady.  I looked all around for a coin to toss, finally found a penny, tossed it, and it came up heads, and thus … you get this song tonight!

Three Times a Lady, released in 1978, was written by Lionel Richie who said …

“I wrote it back in 1978 and it was a very personal meaning to me. I attended the wedding anniversary of my parents and my father made a speech about how much he loved my mother and appreciated the way she had stood beside him for 37 years. It was beautiful and I started to think about my own life and how my wife stands by me, how she does so many things without being asked or thanked. So, I wrote ‘Three Times A Lady’ as a dedication to my wife and my mother. I think my next door neighbor summed it up when she said that if a man wanted to buy her a present, all he need do is buy her that record and he wouldn’t have to say anything else.”

Awwww … doesn’t it bring a tear to your eye?  Ladies, if you are ever lucky enough to have a man say that to you, hold him tight and never let him go, for he’s a keeper!

This was the first #1 hit Lionel Richie wrote, but far from his last: he wrote songs that were #1 US hits in each of the next seven years, giving him the record for most consecutive #1 songs by a songwriter who was never a Beatle (Paul McCartney wrote songs that went to #1 1964-1971).  In the UK, this was #1 for five weeks. It was the biggest UK hit for Motown Records.

Three Times a Lady
Commodores

Thanks for the times that you’ve given me
The memories are all in mind
And now that we’ve come
To the end of our rainbow
There’s something I must say out loud!

Your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you
Yes, your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you!

You shared my dreams
My joys
My pains
You made my life worth living for
And if I had to live my life over again, dear
I’d spend each and every moment with you

Your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you
Yes, your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you!

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 !

Songwriters: Lionel Richie
Three Times a Lady lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC