"Nightshift"
Standard artwork (US vinyl single pictured)
Single by Commodores
from the album Nightshift
B-side"I Keep Running"
Released18 January 1985[1]
Recorded1984
Genre
Length5:04 (album version)
4:19 (7" single edit)
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dennis Lambert
Commodores singles chronology
"Only You"
(1983)		 "Nightshift"
(1985)		 "Animal Instinct"
(1985)

"Nightshift" is a 1985 song by the Commodores and the title track from their album of the same name. The song was written by lead singer Walter Orange in collaboration with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde as a tribute to soul/R&B singers Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye, both of whom died in 1984. The song was released as the album's first single in January 1985 by Motown Records.[2] "Nightshift" was recorded in 1984 and became the Commodores' first hit after Lionel Richie's departure from the group.

Background

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".

Release and reception

"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,[3] 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.[4][5] It was the group's final top ten hit.

Although the band was against the label decision to release it as a single,[6] it won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Vocal R&B Performance by a Duo/Group.

John Leland of Spin said the song, "puts the group back on the map with a vengeance. Its spare, lilting Caribbean groove dispenses with the group's penchant for schmaltz, and new lead singer J. D. Nicholas' sweet tenor is all late-night yearning."[7]

Chart performance

Certifications

Certifications for "Nightshift"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[41] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[42] Silver 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Bruce Springsteen version

Bruce Springsteen recorded a version of the song for his 2022 album, Only the Strong Survive. The song was released as a single and music video in October 2022.

Springsteen performed his version of the song with a backing band from Only the Strong Survive on the November 16, 2022 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[43]

Springsteen later performed his version of the song with the E Street Band on the 2023 Tour, where it was the only song from Only the Strong Survive to become a regular part of the setlist.

References

  1. ↑ "BPI certifications".
  2. ↑ ""Nightshift" The Commodores - 1984". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  3. ↑ "COMMODORES - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  4. ↑ "Commodores Artist Biography by Craig Lytle - Awards". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  5. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 130.
  6. ↑ Leland, John (June 1985). "Singles - Commodores "Nightshift" (Motown)". Spin. p. 36. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  7. ↑ John Leland (June 1985). "Singles". Spin. No. 2. p. 73.
  8. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  10. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  11. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0515." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  12. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7832." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  13. ↑ Timo (13 August 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit COB - COS". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  14. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift" (in French). Les classement single.
  15. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  16. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Nightshift". Irish Singles Chart.
  17. ↑ "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995". www.ukmix.org. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  18. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Commodores".
  19. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Commodores" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  20. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  21. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift". Top 40 Singles.
  22. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  23. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift". Singles Top 100.
  24. ↑ "Commodores – Nightshift". Swiss Singles Chart.
  25. ↑ "Commodores: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  26. 1 2 3 "Nightshift (song by The Commodores) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  27. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending April 13, 1985". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  28. ↑ "Kent Music Report No 599 – 30 December 1985 > National Top 100 Singles for 1985". Kent Music Report. Retrieved January 23, 2023 – via Imgur.
  29. ↑ "AMR Top Singles of 1985". www.top100singles.net. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  30. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1985". Ö3 Austria Top 40 (in German). Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  31. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1985". Ultratop. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  32. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0619." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  33. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  34. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985". www.top40.nl. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  35. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1985". www.dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  36. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1985". Official NZ Music Charts.com. Recorded Music New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  37. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1985". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  38. ↑ "Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England: Spotlight Publications. 18 January 1986. p. 10.
  39. ↑ "1985 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 52. December 28, 1985. p. T-21.
  40. ↑ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1985". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2021..
  41. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – The Commodores – Nightshift". Music Canada. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  42. ↑ "British single certifications – Commodores – Nightshift". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  43. ↑ Ruiz, Matthew (November 17, 2022). "Bruce Springsteen Performs "Nightshift" on Fallon: Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
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