The Commodores
The Commodores are an iconic American funk and soul band formed in 1968 at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. They rose to fame with Motown Records, selling over 60 million records worldwide through hits like "Machine Gun," "Brick House," and "Sail On."
The group originated from the merger of two college bands, the Mystics and the Jays, with original members including Lionel Richie (vocals, saxophone, keyboards), William King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Milan Williams (keyboards), Ronald LaPread (bass), and Walter "Clyde" Orange (drums, vocals). They signed with Motown in 1972 after opening for the Jackson 5, debuting with the instrumental hit "Machine Gun" recorded in Muscle Shoals.
Their most successful era spanned the late 1970s to early 1980s, blending funk, soul, and ballads, with Lionel Richie as co-lead singer alongside Orange. Key albums included Machine Gun (1974), Movin' On (1975), Commodores (1977), and Natural High (1978), featuring No. 1 hits like "Slippery When Wet" and "Three Times a Lady."
Lionel Richie left in 1982 for a solo career, followed by McClary in 1983; later departures included Williams (1989) and LaPread (1986). J.D. Nicholas joined as lead vocalist in 1984, and the core touring lineup became King, Orange, and Nicholas with a backing band.
Active for over 50 years, the Commodores continue performing globally with William King and Walter Orange as original members into 2024, though Nicholas departed that year. They've been inducted into halls of fame, including Alabama Music Hall of Fame (1995).
Caught In The Act
Written-By – Walter "Clyde" Orange
3:31
A2 Slippery When Wet
Written-By – Thomas McClary
3:20
A3 The Bump
Written-By – Milan Williams
2:52
A4 I'm Ready
Written-By – Milan Williams
3:23
A5 This Is Your Life
Written-By – Lionel Richie
5:53
B1 Let's Do It Right
Written-By – Lionel Richie
3:45
B2 Better Never Than Forever
Written-By – Milan Williams
3:48
B3 Look What You've Done To Me
Written-By – Ronald LaPread
4:00
B4 You Don't Know That I Know
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, Thomas McClary, Walter "Clyde" Orange, William King
6:35
B5 Wide Open (Reprise) 1:00
Label: Motown – M6-820S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk, Soul
Commodores
Written-By – Walter Orange
2:58
A2 Funny Feelings
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
4:50
A3 Heaven Knows
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
4:48
A4 Zoom
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Ronald LaPread
6:43
B1 Won't You Come Dance With Me
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
3:49
B2 Brick House
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, Thomas McClary, Walter Orange, William King (3)
3:28
B3 Funky Situation
Written-By – William King
3:44
B4 Patch It Up
Written-By – Milan Williams
3:59
B5 Easy
Written-By – Lionel Richie
4:14
Label: Motown – M7-884R1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1977
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Funk
Commodores 13
Written-By – Harold Hudson, Shirley King, William King
3:54
A2 Turn Of The Lights
Written-By – Shirley King, William King
4:06
A3 Nothing Like A Woman
Written-By – Harold Hudson, Walter Orange
4:53
A4 Captured
Written-By – Linda McClary, Thomas McClary
4:34
B1 Touchdown
Written-By – Michael Dunlap, Walter Orange
4:45
B2 Welcome Home
Written-By – Bill Champlin, Thomas McClary
5:12
B3 Ooo, Woman You
Written-By – Melissa Manchester, Thomas McClary
4:20
B4 Only You
Written-By – Milan Williams
4:56
Label: Motown – 6054ML
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Rock, Funk, Soul
Style: Pop Rock, Soul
Heroes
Written-By – L. Richie, T. McClary
5:44
A2 Celebrate
Written-By – H. Hudson, L. Davis, T. McClary
5:03
A3 Old Fashion Love
Written-By – M. Williams
4:56
A4 Heroes
Written-By – D. Jones, L. Richie
5:24
B1 All The Way Down
Written-By – D. Cochrane, W. Orange
3:35
B2 Sorry To Say
Written-By – D. Jones, R. LaPread
4:01
B3 Wake Up Children
Written-By – L. Richie, T. McClary
4:33
B4 Mighty Spirit
Written-By – H. Hudson, W. King
4:06
B5 Jesus Is Love
Written-By – L. Richie
6:04
Label: Motown – M8-939M1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Gospel
Hot On The Tracks
Written-By – L. Richie, M. Williams, R. LaPread, T. McClary, W. Orange, W. King
3:55
A2 Girl, I Think The World About You
Written-By – L. Richie, T. McClary
4:33
A3 High On Sunshine
Written-By – L. Richie, T. McClary
4:25
A4 Just To Be Close To You
Written-By – L. Richie
6:23
B1 Fancy Dancer
Written-By – L. Richie, R. LaPread
3:51
B2 Come Inside
Written-By – L. Richie, T. McClary
4:26
B3 Thumpin' Music
Written-By – W. King
3:26
B4 Quick Draw
Written-By – M. Williams
4:20
B5 Can't Let You Tease Me
Written-By – W. Orange
3:18
Label: Motown – M6-867S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
In The Pocket
Written-By – Harold Hudson, Shirley King, William King (3)
4:46
A2 Saturday Night
Written-By – Harold Hudson, Thomas McClary
5:00
A3 Keep On Taking Me Higher
Written-By – Harold Hudson, Thomas McClary
5:19
A4 Oh No
Written-By – Lionel B. Richie, Jr.
2:51
B1 Why You Wanna Try Me
Written-By – David Cochrane, Lionel B. Richie, Jr.
4:36
B2 This Love
Written-By – Walter Orange
5:15
B3 Been Loving You
Written-By – Walter Orange
3:52
B4 Lucy
Written-By – Lionel B. Richie, Jr.
4:48
Label: Motown – M8-955M1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Disco, Funk, Soul
Machine Gun
Written-By – Milan Williams
2:43
A2 Young Girls Are My Weakness
Written-By – Ronald LaPread, William King
2:42
A3 I Feel Sanctified
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Milan Williams, Ronald LaPread, Thomas McClary, Walter Orange
3:30
A4 The Bump
Written-By – Milan Williams
4:11
A5 Rapid Fire
Written-By – Milan Williams
3:08
B1 The Assembly Line
Written-By – Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer
5:10
B2 The Zoo (The Human Zoo)
Written-By – Gloria Jones, Pam Sawyer
3:16
B3 Gonna Blow Your Mind
Written-By – Milan Williams, Walter Orange
6:09
B4 There's A Song In My Heart
Written-By – Lionel Richie
2:38
B5 Superman
Written-By – Lionel Richie
2:39
Label: Motown – M6-798S1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Midnight Magic
Written-By – David Cochrane, Walter Orange
4:18
A2 Midnight Magic
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Jr., Thomas McClary
5:42
A3 You're Special
Written-By – Harold Hudson, William King
5:10
A4 Still
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Jr.
5:51
B1 Wonderland
Written-By – Milan Williams
5:28
B2 Sexy Lady
Written-By – Thomas McClary
3:30
B3 Lovin' You
Written-By – Ronald LaPread
4:36
B4 Sail On
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Jr.
5:43
B5 12:01 A.M. (Reprise)
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Jr., Thomas McClary
0:59
Label: Motown – M8-926M1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco
Movin' On
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
3:16
A2 Free
Written-By – Lionel Richie, Thomas McClary
3:54
A3 Mary, Mary
Written-By – Milan Williams
4:08
A4 Sweet Love
Written-By – Lionel Richie
6:31
B1 (Can I) Get A Witness
Written-By – Walter Orange
5:01
B2 Gimme My Mule
Written-By – Ronald LaPread
5:05
B3 Time
Written-By – Thomas McClary, William King
3:21
B4 Cebu
Written-By – Thomas McClary
4:48
Label: Motown – M-848V1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Natural High
Written-By – D. Jones, D. Cochrane, W. King
4:12
A2 X-Rated Movie
Written-By – M. Williams
4:45
A3 Flying High
Written-By – L. Richie, T. McClary
5:11
A4 Three Times A Lady
Written-By – L. Richie
6:37
B1 Such A Woman
Written-By – W. Orange
4:40
B2 Say Yeah
Written-By – L. Richie, R. LaPread
5:44
B3 I Like What You Do
Written-By – L. Richie, W. Orange
4:49
B4 Visions
Written-By – L. Richie, T. McClary
5:43
Label: Motown – M7-902R1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Nightshift
Arranged By – Peter Wolf
Lead Vocals – Walter
Written-By – Martin Page
4:54
A2 Nightshift
Arranged By – Peter Wolf
Lead Vocals – J.D., Walter
Written-By – Dennis Lambert, Franne Gold, Walter Orange
5:03
A3 I Keep Running
Arranged By – Harold Hudson, Paul Fox, William King
Co-producer – William King
Lead Vocals – J.D.
Written-By – Harold Hudson, Shirley King, William King
4:11
A4 Lay Back
Arranged By – Peter Wolf
Lead Vocals – J.D.
Written-By – Dennis Lambert, Franne Gold, Martin Page, Milan Williams
5:01
B1 Slip Of The Tongue
Arranged By – Peter Wolf
Lead Vocals – Walter
Written-By – Lenny Macaluso, Peter Beckett
3:53
B2 Play This Record Twice
Arranged By – Paul M. Jackson Jr.
Lead Vocals – Walter
Written-By – Kevin Smith, Ronald LaPread
4:22
B3 Janet
Arranged By – Paul Fox
Lead Vocals – Walter
Written-By – Bobby Caldwell, Franne Gold, Paul Fox
3:41
B4 The Woman In My Life
Arranged By – Peter Wolf
Lead Vocals – Walter
Written-By – Keith Stegall, Patrick Henderson
3:34
B5 Lightin' Up The Night
Arranged By – Jeff Lorber
Arranged By [Horns] – Jerry Hey
Lead Vocals – Walter
Written-By – Diane Warren, Jeff Lorber
4:02
Label: Motown – 6124ML
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul
Released in 1985 on Motown Records, Nightshift is often cited as a "remarkable renaissance" for the Commodores, marking their first major success after the departure of lead singer Lionel Richie.
Critics generally viewed the album as a solid, if slightly uneven, comeback project. It holds a 4 out of 5 stars rating from Record Mirror and an average user rating of 3.46/5 on Discogs.
The addition of British-born J.D. Nicholas (formerly of Heatwave) was praised as a "welcome change," providing a smooth tenor that complemented the group's transition into mid-80s synth-pop and R&B.
The album was a commercial triumph, peaking at No. 4 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 12 on the Billboard 200.
Track Highlights & Analysis:-
"Nightshift": The titular track is the album's undisputed "crown jewel". A moving tribute to late soul legends Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, it won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
"Animal Instinct": This second single received mixed reviews; while successful at the time, some modern critics find its heavy 80s synth-pop production "cheesy" but memorable.
"Janet": Often highlighted as a deep-cut favorite, this track features an infectious melody co-written by Bobby Caldwell.
Criticisms: Some reviewers have noted that beyond the hit singles, the album contains several "filler" tracks or "weak" ballads like "The Woman In My Life," which struggled to match the group's previous Richie-led successes.
The album solidified the group's ability to survive after Richie’s departure, providing them with one of their biggest hits and a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.
Rock Solid
Written-By – Jennine Elcock, Walter Orange
2 Bump The La La
Written-By – Walter Orange
3 Thank You
Lead Vocals – J.D. Nicholas
Written-By – Harold Hudson, Shirley King, William A. King
4 I'm Gonna Need Your Loving
Written-By – Pamela Phillips Oland, Walter Orange
5 Solitaire
Written-By – Chris Cameron, Sandy Torano
6 Homeless
Written-By – David Malloy, Marti Sharron, Randy Goodrum
7 Miracle Man
Written-By – Douglas Smith, J.D. Nicholas
8 Right Here 'N Now
Written-By – Gerry Stober, Susan Pomerantz, Wardell Potts
9 Stretchhh
Written-By – J.D. Nicholas, Sheldon Reynolds
10 Ain't Givin' Up
Written-By – Milan B. Williams, Paula E. Smith, Tyron Stanton
11 So Nice
Written-By – Alan Rich, Anthony Malloy
Label: Polydor – 835 369-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1988
Genre: Electronic, Funk, Soul, Rock
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Synth-pop
United
Written-By – A. Goldmark, D. Lambert, F. Golde
4:19
A2 Take It From Me
Written-By – A. Goldmark, D. Lambert, F. Golde
4:00
A3 United In Love
Written-By – P. Reswick, S. Werfel
4:24
A4 Can't Dance All Night
Written-By – J. Scott, R. Feldman
3:52
A5 You're The Only Woman I Need
Written-By – M. Leeson, P. Vale
4:40
B1 Land Of The Dreamer
Written-By – D. Lambert, J. D. Nicholas, S. Reynolds
4:27
B2 Talk To Me
Written-By – H. Hudson, S. King, W. King
4:49
B3 I Wanna Rock You
Written-By – K. Cover, M. Williams
4:50
B4 Let's Apologize
Written-By – B. Steinberg, G. Usher, T. Kelly
4:02
B5 Serious Love
Written-By – H. Hudson, V. Redding, W. Orange
4:02
Label: Polydor – 422 831 194-1-DJ
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul
Uprising
Written-By – Jerry Williams Jr.
A2 Cowboys To Girls
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
A3 I Know I'm Losing You
Written-By – Cornelius Grant, Edward Holland, Jr., Norman Whitfield
A4 Who's Making Love
Written By – David Porter
Written-By – Isaac Hayes
A5 Sing A Simple Song
Written-By – Sly Stone
B1 Baby This Is Forever
Written-By – Jerry Williams Jr.
B2 Love Canoe
Written-By – Jerry Williams Jr.
B3 Come By Here
Written-By – Inez Foxx, Luther Dixon
B4 Keep On Dancing
Written-By – Alvin Cash
Label: Intermedia – QS-5047
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1983
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eigties Soul, Funk