Nightshift - Commodores (1985) 7/11/23

It's really quite a shame that after Lionel Ritchie left The Commodores, they only had one more hit.

The good news: It was a Great Song of 1985.

"Nightshift" was a tribute to singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, both of whom died too young in 1984.

It was designed as sort of a sequel to "Rock & Roll Heaven," the 1974 hit by The Righteous Brothers, which mentioned a number of artists (like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix) who had passed away, and suggested they were forming "a hell of a band" in the afterlife. (We highlighted the song back on 10/19/22.)

Franne Gold, who co-wrote today's song with Commodores drummer Walt Orange and Producer Dennis Lambert, had recently seen the film "Nightshift" starring henry Winkler, and thought the title would work around the idea that Marvin and Jackie were singing heavenly soul sounds after midnight.

In effect, it was a perfect groove--especially when the lead vocals were added by Walt and Lionel's replacement J.D. Nicholas.

When the song was released from the album of the same name, the group was against it...but in this case, Motown Records got it right. The song was a massive worldwide hit, reaching the Top 5 in 14 countries. In the US alone, it reached #1 on Billboard's Black Singles Chart, #2 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, and #3 on the Hot 100!

To top it off, "Nightshift" won the Grammy Award for "Best Rhythm & Blues Performance by a Duo/Group.

Unfortunately, The Commodores couldn't ride that wave of success with any of their following releases, but that doesn't take away from the fact that "Nightshift" was a "Great Song of 1985!

Note: In 2022, Bruce Springsteen recorded a wonderful cover version. check the link below!

Commodores: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrkEDe6Ljqs

Bruce Springsteen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsTKEQzLkmw

Tomorrow: Dreams of the Heart.