Commodores, Celebrate | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 194^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Celebrate” by Grammy-winning R&B collective, Commodores. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 194^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Celebrate”, performed by Commodores.

“Feel good thinking ‘bout you, girl, baby / You blow my mind.” Ow!!! When it comes to the 1980, Commodores album, Heroes, three singles stand out: “Old-Fashion Love”, “Heroes”, and “Jesus is Love”. That said, Lionel Richie and company deliver another fabulous song, obscure compared to ‘the big three’: “Celebrate”.  The colorful, soulful “Celebrate” arrives as the second track and was NOT penned by Richie. Instead, this celebratory joint was written by Larry Davis, Harold Hudson, and Thomas McClary. A non-single, this record is what you can characterize as a solid album track.

“Celebrate” runs north of five minutes in duration – there’s a lot to celebrate.  Notably, what Richie is celebrating is his love with her.  He asserts, “Out of all my experiences / Being in love with you, baby / Is the one thing that stands out in my mind.” Aww, the feels! The dedication! Specifically, Lionel is pumped “When I wrap my arms around you” and, “can’t wait to kiss you, honey / And make sweet love again.” Ooh-wee, it’s getting hot in here! Interestingly, within the narrative of the song, Richie is coming home, and you know what he’s going to do – “Celebrate” with her, of course! This underrated 80s Commodore gem has served as a sample for several songs including “Celebration” by Jay-Z and “How I Made It” by Mario Winans.

🎙 Commodores • 💿 Heroes • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1980

Commodores, Celebrate: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 194 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Motown; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]