Commodores, “Nightshift” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 108^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Nightshift” by Commodores. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 108^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Nightshift”, performed by 🎙 Commodores. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍

When a famous lead vocalist and songwriter leaves a band/collective, it can be utterly crushing.  Losing 🎙 Lionel Richie was a big hit for 🎙 Commodores, who’d thrived with him fronting them.  Of course, Richie would go onto earn a fruitful solo career which earned him four 🏆 Grammys including the highly coveted, Album Of The Year (💿 Can’t Slow Down).  Of course, Richie had been nominated for multiple Grammys while a member of Commodores. What’s shocking is the fact that the collective won their sole 🏆 Grammy for a record that wasn’t written or sung Richie (Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal).  That record, folks, is 🎵 “Nightshift”.

“Nightshift” appeared on Commodores’ 1985 album, also titled, 💿 Nightshift.  It’s safe to say that “Nightshift” was the big attraction on this album, featuring 🎙 J.D. Nicholas as the lead vocalist.  Also, “Nightshift” marks one of the final hits for Commodores,  crossover to the pop charts peaking at no. 3.  It’s an impressive post-Richie joint, characterized by silky smooth, hella groovy backdrop.  Thematically, the record remembers two iconic musicians, 🎙 Marvin Gaye and 🎙 Jackie Wilson, who both passed away in 1984.  “Marvin, he was a friend of mine,” Nicholas sings in the first verse, adding, “And he could sing a song, his heart in every line / Marvin sang of the joy and pain / He opened up our minds…” Of Wilson, he sings in the second verse, “Jackie, you set the world on fire / You came and gifted us, your love it lifted us higher and higher,” referencing Wilson’s beloved classic, 🎵 “Your Love (Keeps Lifting Me Higher)”.  Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus which references the nightshift – the afterlife for Gaye and Wilson:

“Gonna be some sweet sounds, coming down on the nightshift

I bet you’re singing proud, I bet you’ll pull a crowd

Gonna be a long night, it’s gonna be all right, on the nightshift

You found another home, I know you’re not alone, on the nightshift.”

Final Thoughts 💭 

To reiterate, surviving the exit of a group’s biggest member can be utterly devastating.  Commodores were never the same without Lionel Richie but 🎵 “Nightshift” marked a high point.  It’s worth noting, Fantasia sampled the hit on her single, 🎵 “Lose To Win”, from her 2013 album, 💿 Side Effects of You. Safe to say, the 🏆 Grammy winner had good taste!

🎙 Commodores • 💿 Nightshift • 🏷 Motown • 🗓 1985

Commodores, “Nightshift”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 108 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash, Motown, The Musical Hype]