Music Metrics Vault

Commodores

Data updated on 2025-02-12 07:49:13 UTC
Renowned for the R&B hits "Just to Be Close to You," "Easy," and "Brickhouse," to name but a few, Commodores were one of the top bands during their long tenure at Motown. The group is credited with seven number one songs and a host of other Top Ten hits on the Billboard charts, and their vast catalog includes more than 50 albums.

The members of Commodores, all of whom attended Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, came together as a result of two groups disbanding: the Mystics and the Jays. Initially formed to simply play music as a pastime and to meet girls, the lineup consisted of William King (trumpet), Thomas McClary (guitar), Ronald LaPread (bass), Walter "Clyde" Orange (drums), Lionel Richie (saxophone), and Milan Williams (keyboards). The members nearly went stir-crazy trying to pick a name for the group, but with no success. As a last resort, Orange gave King a dictionary and told him to pick a name -- that name was the Commodores. With Clyde Orange the only learned musician in the group, Commodores began spreading their music throughout their base, which included Tuskegee, Montgomery, and Birmingham, AL.

After success securing dates in their own backyard, the band ventured to New York City for a gig at Smalls Paradise. Told, in so many words by the club owner, that their sound was not happening, the self-contained band was nevertheless called back to the club to fill in for a last-minute cancellation. That night the Tuskegee alumni performed before a standing-room-only crowd -- most of which were friends and family of the band. Unaware of the planned crowd, the owner booked the band for two more weeks.

Commodores' long association with Motown began as a result of a tour opening for the Jackson 5. That opportunity occurred in 1971, when the group auditioned in New York City for an unknown yet high-profile gig. Two weeks later, they made their first appearance in the prized support slot, and didn't give it up for more than two years. Their excellent shows naturally led to a deal with Motown, and they debuted with the up-tempo instrumental dance cut "Machine Gun." Written by Milan Williams, its Top Ten outing gave the group immediate attention. It was followed by the Top 20 single "I Feel Sanctified," which led to their third single -- and first number one record -- in "Slippery When Wet." Inside of 17 weeks, the septet was rocking the airwaves with their brand of Southern funk, spiced with an animated vocal delivery courtesy of Lionel Richie and Clyde Orange.

In September of 1976, they released "Just to Be Close to You," their second number one single and a number seven pop hit. The Top Ten hit "Fancy Dancer" followed, and then came "Easy." Different from their other tunes, "Easy" was very serene and not nearly as soulful or funky as the band's other tunes. Nonetheless, it claimed the number one spot on the charts, and it paved the way for the style of ballads the group became known for. One exception to the ballad-heavy approach was "Brickhouse," the song that soon became the group's anthem. The arrangement and candid vocal lead by Clyde Orange was complemented by the evenly saturated percussive and rhythmic attack, and it cracked the Top Ten at number four. Two consecutive number one singles would follow: the dance cut "Too Hot ta Trot" and the placid number "Three Times a Lady." And then there was "Still," the last number one for the group with Richie as a member. In 1981, Richie recorded "Endless Love" with Diana Ross. The song peaked at number one for seven and nine weeks, respectively, on the Billboard R&B and pop charts. Its success was a prelude to what Richie enjoyed upon his 1982 exit from the group.

In the absence of Richie, the group promptly courted tenor J.D. Nicholas (formerly of Heatwave) and ended up recording their biggest hit. Penned by Clyde Orange, "Nightshift" paid tribute to the late soul singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. For four consecutive weeks it topped the charts, and it also won the group their only Grammy.

Commodores finally left Motown in 1985. Consequently, the group signed with Polydor the same year and had another swing at the Top Ten with "Goin' to the Bank." During the '90s, the band was reduced to a core of three: Orange, King, and Nicholas. The threesome were nearly as active as they'd ever been, performing around the world and managing their own label, Commodore Records. ~ Craig Lytle, Rovi

Genres

: motown

Total plays

1.3 billion
Updated on 2025-02-12

Country

United States

Monthly listeners

7,137,994

Followers

1,990,811

Top Cities

  1. Australia
    95,241 listeners
  2. Brazil
    97,830 listeners
  3. Chile
    79,391 listeners
  4. Netherlands
    76,623 listeners
  5. United Kingdom
    86,972 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Easy
Easy
678,303,363 4:16 1977-01-01
Brick House
Brick House
157,072,693 3:29 1977-01-01
Nightshift
Nightshift
108,114,720 5:07 1985-01-01
Three Times A Lady
Three Times A Lady
84,027,777 3:35 1978-01-01
Still
Still
39,402,007 5:47 1979-01-01
Lady (You Bring Me Up)
Lady (You Bring Me Up)
37,094,314 4:53 1981-01-01
Sail On
Sail On
31,921,995 3:55 1985-01-01
Machine Gun
Machine Gun
28,750,830 2:39 1974-01-01
Slippery When Wet
Slippery When Wet
20,488,554 3:21 1975-01-01
Zoom
Zoom
18,799,987 6:44 1977-01-01
Oh No
Oh No
15,745,761 3:04 1981-01-01
Just To Be Close To You
Just To Be Close To You
8,711,935 6:21 1976-01-01
Sweet Love
Sweet Love
7,917,733 6:34 1975-01-01
Too Hot Ta Trot
Too Hot Ta Trot
7,006,204 3:30 1977-01-01
Easy - Extended Version
Easy - Extended Version
6,730,792 4:51 1977-01-01
Jesus Is Love
Jesus Is Love
5,470,957 6:03 1980-03-17
Sail On
Sail On
5,459,065 5:32 1979-01-01
High On Sunshine
High On Sunshine
3,974,192 4:24 1976-01-01
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - International Extended Drum Version
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - International Extended Drum Version
3,135,892 8:57 2011-01-01
Zoom - Extended Version
Zoom - Extended Version
3,066,786 7:06 2001-01-01
Lady (You Bring Me Up) - Single Version
Lady (You Bring Me Up) - Single Version
2,906,744 4:00 1985-01-01
Just To Be Close To You - Single Version
Just To Be Close To You - Single Version
2,897,204 3:21 1995-01-01
Say Yeah
Say Yeah
2,470,334 5:44 1978-01-01
Sweet Love - Single Version
Sweet Love - Single Version
2,001,118 3:27 1985-01-01
I Feel Sanctified
I Feel Sanctified
1,992,075 3:45 1974-01-01
Old-Fashion Love
Old-Fashion Love
1,278,872 4:58 1980-03-17
Brick House - 12" Mix
Brick House - 12" Mix
1,250,185 6:14 2000-05-02
Girl, I Think The World About You
Girl, I Think The World About You
1,190,106 4:33 1976-01-01
Too Hot Ta Trot - Single Version
Too Hot Ta Trot - Single Version
1,120,015 3:31 1995-01-01
I'm Ready
I'm Ready
1,109,596 3:25 1975-01-01
Fancy Dancer
Fancy Dancer
1,073,890 4:24 1976-01-01
Wonderland
Wonderland
1,007,668 3:48 1995-01-01
Funny Feelings
Funny Feelings
952,239 4:51 1977-01-01
United In Love
United In Love
933,196 4:25 1986-01-01
Funky Situation
Funky Situation
923,407 3:42 1977-01-01
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life
919,916 5:54 1975-01-01
Squeeze The Fruit
Squeeze The Fruit
851,376 2:59 1977-01-01
Zoom - International Single
Zoom - International Single
800,063 4:22 1995-01-01
Heaven Knows
Heaven Knows
795,651 4:45 1977-01-01
Thank You
Thank You
748,703 5:50 1988-01-01
The Assembly Line
The Assembly Line
719,476 5:08 1974-01-01
The Bump
The Bump
714,679 4:08 1974-01-01
Janet
Janet
706,611 3:43 1985-01-01
Only You
Only You
692,401 4:36 1995-01-01
Flying High - Single Version
Flying High - Single Version
685,571 3:55 1995-01-01
Goin' To The Bank
Goin' To The Bank
674,317 4:19 1986-01-01
Easy - Live / 1977
Easy - Live / 1977
635,977 7:22 1977-01-01
Young Girls Are My Weakness
Young Girls Are My Weakness
630,875 3:02 1974-01-01
The Zoo (The Human Zoo)
The Zoo (The Human Zoo)
619,624 3:04 1974-01-01
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Deutsche Version, Radio Edit
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Deutsche Version, Radio Edit
618,239 3:36 2010-12-03
Patch It Up
Patch It Up
572,494 3:60 1977-01-01
Nightshift - Club Mix
Nightshift - Club Mix
570,700 7:04 2002-01-01
Won't You Come Dance WIth Me
Won't You Come Dance WIth Me
544,844 3:49 1977-01-01
This Love
This Love
504,528 5:17 1981-01-01
Jesus Is Love - Album Edit
Jesus Is Love - Album Edit
484,951 4:58 1985-01-01
The Woman In My Life
The Woman In My Life
481,654 3:39 1985-01-01
Old-Fashion Love
Old-Fashion Love
402,375 3:23 1985-01-01
Rise Up
Rise Up
392,085 3:05 1983-01-01
I Keep Running
I Keep Running
387,439 4:13 1985-01-01
Lay Back
Lay Back
375,908 5:03 1985-01-01
Wide Open
Wide Open
357,404 3:33 1975-01-01
Lucy
Lucy
350,935 4:56 1981-01-01
Superman
Superman
347,723 2:39 1974-01-01
Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire
343,571 3:01 1974-01-01
I Know I'm Losing You
I Know I'm Losing You
336,721 2:44 2018-05-04
Who's Making Love
Who's Making Love
321,038 2:43 2005-01-01
Saturday Night
Saturday Night
308,233 4:58 1981-01-01
I Like What You Do
I Like What You Do
304,574 4:47 1978-01-01
I Know I'm Losing You
I Know I'm Losing You
300,400 3:08 1983-01-01
Lovin' You
Lovin' You
289,280 4:32 1979-01-01
Flying High
Flying High
289,165 5:09 1978-01-01
Animal Instinct
Animal Instinct
288,541 4:50 1985-01-01
Say Yeah
Say Yeah
250,744 3:43 1985-01-01
Cebu
Cebu
244,504 4:49 1975-01-01
I'm Gonna Need Your Loving
I'm Gonna Need Your Loving
235,829 5:40 1988-01-01
Brick House - Live / 1977
Brick House - Live / 1977
218,702 10:19 1977-01-01
Baby This Is Forever
Baby This Is Forever
217,023 2:49 2018-05-04
Gonna Blow Your Mind
Gonna Blow Your Mind
212,119 5:41 1974-01-01
Just To Be Close To You - Live / 1977
Just To Be Close To You - Live / 1977
211,143 7:07 1977-01-01
Keep On Dancing
Keep On Dancing
185,933 2:49 2018-05-04
Grrip
Grrip
175,762 5:36 1988-01-01
Painted Picture
Painted Picture
174,984 4:56 1991-01-01
This Is Your Life - Single Version
This Is Your Life - Single Version
172,025 3:18 1979-01-01
Zoom - Live / 1977 / Extended Version
Zoom - Live / 1977 / Extended Version
170,133 10:16 1977-01-01
Cowboys To Girls
Cowboys To Girls
166,653 2:50 2018-05-04
Heroes
Heroes
166,491 5:25 1980-03-17
Sing A Simple Song
Sing A Simple Song
159,500 3:06 2018-05-04
Come By Here
Come By Here
157,867 2:57 2018-05-04
Only You
Only You
157,157 4:60 1983-01-01
Sweet Love - Live / 1977
Sweet Love - Live / 1977
154,578 8:40 1977-01-01
Lucy
Lucy
153,264 4:16 1985-01-01
Wonderland - Long Version
Wonderland - Long Version
145,959 5:27 1979-01-01
The Bump
The Bump
143,777 2:53 1975-01-01
Animal Instinct
Animal Instinct
140,374 4:05 1995-01-01
Love Canoe
Love Canoe
137,413 2:55 2018-05-04
Rise up
Rise up
136,891 2:53 2018-05-04
Who's Making Love
Who's Making Love
129,526 2:41 1983-01-01
Let's Get Started
Let's Get Started
128,003 3:56 1976-01-01
Why You Wanna Try Me
Why You Wanna Try Me
127,645 4:38 1981-01-01
Slip Of The Tongue
Slip Of The Tongue
126,553 3:54 1985-01-01
Gimme My Mule
Gimme My Mule
122,838 5:13 1975-01-01
Lovin You
Lovin You
121,692 4:10 1985-01-01
You're The Only Woman I Need
You're The Only Woman I Need
116,416 4:41 1986-01-01
Keep On Dancing (Single Version)
Keep On Dancing (Single Version)
115,670 2:38 2018-05-11
Are You Happy
Are You Happy
108,607 3:07 1995-01-01
Play This Record Twice
Play This Record Twice
106,398 4:26 1985-01-01
Keep On Dancing
Keep On Dancing
105,306 2:50 1983-01-01
Cowboys To Girls
Cowboys To Girls
102,843 2:50 1983-01-01
Cowboys to Girls (Instrumental)
Cowboys to Girls (Instrumental)
102,843 2:49 2015-01-01
Lightin' Up The Night
Lightin' Up The Night
102,285 4:05 1985-01-01
Look What You've Done To Me
Look What You've Done To Me
100,297 3:56 1975-01-01
Thumpin' Music
Thumpin' Music
98,621 3:25 1976-01-01
I Feel Sanctified - Live / 1977
I Feel Sanctified - Live / 1977
94,790 2:57 1977-01-01
Keep On Taking Me Higher
Keep On Taking Me Higher
92,040 5:20 1981-01-01
Brick House (Allen Morgan Remix)
Brick House (Allen Morgan Remix)
91,500 4:49 2010-12-03
Sing A Simple Song
Sing A Simple Song
90,396 3:10 1983-01-01
Sing a Simple Song (Instrumental Version)
Sing a Simple Song (Instrumental Version)
90,396 3:12 2015-01-01
Fire Girl
Fire Girl
85,781 4:12 1978-01-01
Slippery When Wet - Live / 1977
Slippery When Wet - Live / 1977
84,532 3:03 1977-01-01
Visions
Visions
84,500 5:44 1978-01-01
Such A Woman
Such A Woman
79,524 4:37 1978-01-01
Won't You Come Dance With Me - Live / 1977
Won't You Come Dance With Me - Live / 1977
79,110 3:43 1977-01-01
Come By Here
Come By Here
78,811 2:58 1983-01-01
Come by Here (Instrumental Version)
Come by Here (Instrumental Version)
78,811 2:57 2015-01-01
There's A Song In My Heart
There's A Song In My Heart
78,482 2:42 1974-01-01
You're Special
You're Special
76,959 3:35 1979-01-01
Right Here N Now
Right Here N Now
76,644 3:58 1988-01-01
Bump The La La
Bump The La La
76,334 4:44 1988-01-01
So Nice
So Nice
71,666 4:20 1988-01-01
Gettin' It
Gettin' It
71,360 3:46 1979-01-01
Solitaire
Solitaire
69,711 4:44 1988-01-01
Let's Do It Right
Let's Do It Right
68,796 3:45 1975-01-01
Midnight Magic
Midnight Magic
66,672 5:48 1979-01-01
Sexy Lady
Sexy Lady
65,799 3:35 1979-01-01
X-Rated Movie
X-Rated Movie
65,448 4:41 1978-01-01
Don't You Be Worried - Single Version
Don't You Be Worried - Single Version
65,303 2:39 1995-01-01
Celebrate
Celebrate
64,861 5:08 1980-03-17
You Don't Know That I Know
You Don't Know That I Know
64,648 6:34 1975-01-01
Funny Feelings - Live / 1977
Funny Feelings - Live / 1977
64,366 5:20 1977-01-01
Fancy Dancer - Live / 1977
Fancy Dancer - Live / 1977
64,124 4:60 1977-01-01
Come Inside - Live / 1977
Come Inside - Live / 1977
63,649 3:26 1977-01-01
Been Loving You
Been Loving You
63,336 3:56 1981-01-01
Take It From Me
Take It From Me
62,583 4:01 1986-01-01
Come Inside
Come Inside
61,941 3:49 1976-01-01
Hold On
Hold On
61,180 4:14 1975-01-01
Keep on Dancing
Keep on Dancing
60,387 2:46 1983-01-01
Captured
Captured
58,680 4:37 1983-01-01
Come Inside - Live
Come Inside - Live
58,354 3:22 2001-01-01
Better Never Than Forever
Better Never Than Forever
57,942 3:50 1975-01-01
Baby This Is Forever
Baby This Is Forever
56,402 2:52 1983-01-01
Homeless
Homeless
56,323 4:47 1988-01-01
12:01 A.M.
12:01 A.M.
55,690 1:00 1979-01-01
Captain Quickdraw
Captain Quickdraw
55,517 4:19 1976-01-01
Baby This Is Forever
Baby This Is Forever
54,158 2:53 1983-01-01
Rise up
Rise up
53,318 2:58 1983-01-01
Rise Up
Rise Up
53,318 2:56 2013-12-04
Cowboys to Girls
Cowboys to Girls
53,135 2:53 1983-01-01
Cowboys To Girls
Cowboys To Girls
53,135 2:51 2023-08-15
Explain to the babies
Explain to the babies
52,726 3:31 2020-06-06
Nothing Like A Woman
Nothing Like A Woman
52,679 4:57 1983-01-01
Mary, Mary
Mary, Mary
52,332 4:23 1975-01-01
Baby, This Is Forever (Instrumental Version)
Baby, This Is Forever (Instrumental Version)
51,813 2:50 2015-01-01
Miracle Man
Miracle Man
51,627 4:38 1988-01-01
Free
Free
51,594 3:53 1975-01-01
Love Canoe
Love Canoe
51,204 2:58 1983-01-01
(Can I) Get A Witness
(Can I) Get A Witness
50,580 4:09 1975-01-01
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - German DJ Remix Version
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - German DJ Remix Version
50,466 3:38 2011-01-01
Can't Dance All Night
Can't Dance All Night
50,155 3:59 1986-01-01
Got To Be Together
Got To Be Together
48,119 5:47 1980-03-17
Let's Apologize
Let's Apologize
46,385 3:51 1986-01-01
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Internationale Version, Extended Version
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Internationale Version, Extended Version
46,164 4:29 2010-12-03
Stretchhh
Stretchhh
46,163 3:47 1988-01-01
Mighty Spirit
Mighty Spirit
45,833 4:06 1980-03-17
Ain't Givin Up
Ain't Givin Up
45,311 5:02 1988-01-01
Turn Off The Lights
Turn Off The Lights
45,285 4:22 1983-01-01
Who's Making Love
Who's Making Love
43,527 2:44 1983-01-01
(I Know) I'm Losing You
(I Know) I'm Losing You
42,207 3:03 1983-01-01
Funky Situation - Extended Version
Funky Situation - Extended Version
41,191 4:02 2006-01-01
Heroes - Single Version
Heroes - Single Version
39,878 4:05 1995-01-01
Can't Let You Tease Me
Can't Let You Tease Me
39,808 3:12 1976-01-01
Sing a Simple Song
Sing a Simple Song
39,079 3:10 1983-01-01
Sing A Simple Song
Sing A Simple Song
39,079 3:08 2023-08-15
Wide Open - Reprise
Wide Open - Reprise
38,522 1:01 1975-01-01
Land Of The Dreamer
Land Of The Dreamer
38,516 4:28 1986-01-01
I Wanna Rock You
I Wanna Rock You
38,105 5:23 1986-01-01
Talk To Me
Talk To Me
37,855 4:44 1986-01-01
Sorry To Say
Sorry To Say
37,350 4:05 1980-03-17
Serious Love
Serious Love
36,656 4:02 1986-01-01
Sleigh Ride
Sleigh Ride
35,946 2:25 2010-10-29
All The Way Down
All The Way Down
35,233 3:40 1980-03-17
Time
Time
35,108 4:24 1975-01-01
I'm In Love
I'm In Love
33,102 4:07 1983-01-01
Love Canoe
Love Canoe
32,112 3:03 1983-01-01
Rise Up (Future Mix)
Rise Up (Future Mix)
31,618 3:51 2008-01-01
Wake Up Children
Wake Up Children
30,637 4:34 1980-03-17
Riding On A Train
Riding On A Train
30,611 2:35 2013-07-09
Riding On a Train
Riding On a Train
30,611 2:35 2012-01-01
Touchdown
Touchdown
30,407 4:50 1983-01-01
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Do You Hear What I Hear?
28,398 3:41 2010-10-29
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Deutsche Version, Long Version
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Deutsche Version, Long Version
28,295 6:37 2010-12-03
Come by Here
Come by Here
28,208 2:58 1983-01-01
Love Canoe (Instrumental Version)
Love Canoe (Instrumental Version)
26,723 2:54 2015-01-01
Welcome Home
Welcome Home
25,942 5:20 1983-01-01
Reach High
Reach High
24,961 3:42 1991-01-01
Ooo, Woman You
Ooo, Woman You
20,161 4:22 1983-01-01
Deck The Halls
Deck The Halls
19,345 2:06 2010-10-29
Why You Wanna Try Me - Single Version
Why You Wanna Try Me - Single Version
18,836 3:60 1995-01-01
Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels We Have Heard on High
15,068 3:15 2010-10-29
Painted Picture - Single Version
Painted Picture - Single Version
13,947 4:05 1995-01-01
Brick House
Brick House
11,530 4:22 2008-01-01
Hello Baby (Glad to Have You Home)
Hello Baby (Glad to Have You Home)
9,733 2:01 2014-11-24
Fancy Dancer
Fancy Dancer
8,505 3:41 2000-06-20
Easy - Acoustic Cover
Easy - Acoustic Cover
4,841 3:05 2018-12-12
Three Times A Lady - Karaoke Instrumental
Three Times A Lady - Karaoke Instrumental
4,678 6:42 2011-01-01
The Banks of the Roses
The Banks of the Roses
4,125 2:15 1997-01-01
Shenandoah
Shenandoah
4,071 2:49 2001-01-01
I'm Looking For Love - Single Version (Mono)
I'm Looking For Love - Single Version (Mono)
3,080 2:39 2013-01-01
Keep Walkin'
Keep Walkin'
3,070 2:16 2021-10-08
A rovin
A rovin
2,471 1:39 2001-01-01
Brick House - DJ LEAD Non Stop Version
Brick House - DJ LEAD Non Stop Version
1,945 1:46 2019-08-14
Lady (You Bring Me Up) - DJ LEAD Non Stop Version
Lady (You Bring Me Up) - DJ LEAD Non Stop Version
1,848 1:33 2019-08-14
Easy - Acoustic Cover
Easy - Acoustic Cover
1,655 3:41 2019-01-16
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Deutsche Version, Extended Version
The Greatest Stories Are Never Told - Deutsche Version, Extended Version
1,134 4:15 2010-12-03
Brick House - DJ Spinna ReFreak
Brick House - DJ Spinna ReFreak
1,087 6:35 2015-09-02
Sweet Angel
Sweet Angel
1,034 2:29 2008-05-05
Season's Greetings From The Commodores
Season's Greetings From The Commodores
< 1000 0:16 2009-10-13
Machine Gun - TJO Mix
Machine Gun - TJO Mix
< 1000 1:10 2019-12-25
Who Dat
Who Dat
< 1000 2:00 2014-03-05
Who Dat
Who Dat
< 1000 2:00 2015-01-02
Machine Gun - Extended Version
Machine Gun - Extended Version
< 1000