Commodores – Nightshift

“Nightshift” – Single by Commodores from the album Nightshift
Released: January 18, 1985
Recorded: 1984
Songwriters: Walter Orange, Dennis Lambert, Franne Golde
Producers: Dennis Lambert

The song features a lead vocal from drummer Walter Orange, who had sung lead years earlier on “Brick House”. Lionel Richie’s replacement, J.D. Nicholas, sings the second verse and then Orange and Nicholas share lead vocals on the remaining choruses.

The first verse mentions Gaye’s song “What’s Going On”, while the second verse mentions Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops” (“Say you will”), “Baby Workout” and “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher”.

“Nightshift” became their biggest hit after Richie’s departure, peaking at number three for the week of April 20 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, and rising to number one on the Hot Black Singles chart; the single also became a success on the Adult Contemporary and the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts in the first half of that year. It was the group’s final top ten hit.

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Commodores - Nightshift

Commodores - Nightshift (Official Music Video)03:47

This song was conceived as a soul version of “Rock And Roll Heaven,” the 1974 Righteous Brothers hit where they picture fallen stars like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin forming a band in heaven. In the Commodores song, Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson are on heaven’s nightshift, playing some sweet sounds.

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