The song “Let’s Do It Right” was released by the Commodores in 1975.
Surprisingly, the biggest inspiration for Richie’s early songs with Commodores was Sly Stone. The influence from the Family Stone can be heard in 1974’s “There’s a Song in My Heart,” and the following year’s delightful “Let’s Do It Right” has a touch of “Everybody Is a Star” in its DNA.
In 1986, the song “Love Will Conquer All” was released.
Another huge hit, Dancing on the Ceiling from 1986 was nevertheless a less assured album than its predecessor. The title track is no All Night Long and Ballerina Girl is the point where Richie finally gets too MOR to defend. But the album has its moments, including Love Will Conquer All’s supremely assured, super-slick pop-R&B.
18. Up All Night (2006)
Richie’s more recent albums have received mixed reviews. It is important to note that finding the standout tracks may require some time and effort. However, “Up All Night” from his 2006 album “Coming Home” stands out as a great song. Unlike his usual smooth and mellow sound, this track features a stuttering, up-tempo 00s R&B beat that allows Richie’s vocals to effortlessly glide over the music.
The song “Too Hot ta Trot” was released by the Commodores in 1977.
Compared to other musicians in their genre, Commodores did not fully embrace the disco trend. However, their song “Too Hot ta Trot” was featured on the soundtrack for the disco film Thank God It’s Friday and still manages to make people want to dance in their own unique way. There are noticeable similarities to Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” in the track.
“Say You, Say Me” was released in 1985.
Richie was commissioned to write a theme for White Nights on the condition it shared the movie’s title. Instead, he submitted Say You, Say Me, a smart move that uncoupled the song from the film in the public imagination. For something apparently recorded in his living room, it’s impressively epic, complete with a dramatic tempo change.
15. Commodores – Sail On (1979)
The introduction of Sail On implies that the band is attempting to recreate the success of Three Times a Lady, but the song surpasses that expectation. It features a beautiful, emotive melody, and for the first time in Richie’s repertoire, incorporates elements of country music alongside the strings, horns, and lively congas.
This album was released in 1983 and is titled “Can’t Slow Down”.
Running With the Night was the hit, but Can’t Slow Down’s best up-tempo offering was the title track’s jittery electronic funk. It was influenced by Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, but is noticeably more unruffled in its vocal delivery, projecting Richie as a man who never breaks a sweat, even at his most urgent.
13. Commodores – Free (1975)
Richie was primarily responsible for writing and singing the slower songs in Commodores, while the funk material was typically handled by drummer Walter Orange. However, there were exceptions to this rule. For instance, on their 1975 album Movin’ On, Richie co-wrote two songs that featured horn arrangements. The standout track, “Free,” had a chorus with a rock-influenced sound.
12. Deep River Woman (1986)
If the 10m-selling Can’t Slow Down was Richie’s answer to Thriller, its follow-up, Dancing on the Ceiling, was Richie’s take on Bad, designed to emulate Jackson’s genre-busting success. But Richie went about it differently, as shown by Deep River Woman, which eschews courting a rock audience in favour of collaborating with the country institution Alabama.
11. Commodores – Sweet Love (1975)
Richie’s initial successful slow song was Sweet Love, ranking at number 5 on the US Billboard chart. However, it had a distinctively unique style compared to his later, polished tracks that propelled him to stardom. While it was orchestrated, it also prominently featured electric guitar and incorporated gospel influences, giving it a rougher and grittier appeal.
10. Hello (1983)
Attempt to separate the song “Hello” (which was released in 1984, a few months after its debut on the album Can’t Slow Down) from its accompanying music video. The video features over-the-top acting from Richie, a questionable storyline – is it appropriate for a teacher to pursue a blind student romantically? – and an unintentionally humorous ending. It may be difficult, but don’t give up: there is a solid ballad hidden within.
9. Commodores – Fancy Dancer (1976)
If you want an impressive co-sign, Fancy Dancer was subsequently covered (but never officially released) by Prince. You can see why he might have been drawn to it: written by Richie and the bassist Ronald LaPread, it’s less celebrated than Brick House, but just as funky, in a low-slung way.
8. Stuck on You (1984)
Richie’s Tuskegee album in 2012, featuring Nashville’s top musicians, highlighted his love for country music, which had been present in his music for quite some time. “Stuck on You” can easily be imagined as a traditional country ballad, as shown in the Tuskegee version featuring Darius Rucker with the added touch of pedal steel in the arrangement.
7. Commodores – Zoom (1977)
Despite being on the same album as hits like “Easy” and “Brick House”, “Zoom” is still a standout with its soulful ballad style. The song boasts a subtle but impactful orchestral arrangement, incorporating elements of syncopation and beautiful harmonies.
6. Endless Love (1981)
The duet version, with Diana Ross, was a huge hit, but head instead to Richie’s original demo – appended to the reissue of his 1982 eponymous debut solo album – which strips the song of its blockbusting movie-theme qualities, revealing something more intimate, tender and affecting at its centre.
The song “Lady (You Bring Me Up)” was released in 1981 by the Commodores.
Richie’s final successful song as part of the Commodores was launched around the same time as “Endless Love,” the single that kickstarted his solo journey. The two songs are vastly contrasting: “Lady” is elegant, featuring strings and post-disco beats, and it’s so fantastic that you can’t help but wish Richie had incorporated some elements of this style into his solo work.
4. Commodores – Brick House (1977)
Maybe Brick House shouldn’t be included in this ranking – Richie did not sing or write the Commodores’ most famous funk song – but let’s make an exception because a) he did a decent job performing it solo on his 2007 live album and b) the Commodores’ rendition is incredible: a seductive invitation to dance.
In 1978, the song “Three Times a Lady” was released by the Commodores.
The initial No 1 hit for the Commodores was a waltz, originally meant for Frank Sinatra by Richie. This shows the band had strayed far from their origins, but it didn’t matter as the single sold millions and set the course for Richie’s future.
The song “All Night Long (All Night)” was released in 1983.
The most popular and top-selling single from Can’t Slow Down differed from the usual love ballads that made up the majority of the album. It may not fit neatly into the funk or soul genre, but there is an undeniable appeal to its blend of atmospheric mood and catchy chorus.
1. Commodores – Easy (1977)
Some devoted fans of R&B may claim that Richie’s influence was detrimental to the Commodores, as his preference for pop music and ballads caused the once-tough funk band to move towards a more mainstream sound. This gradual change in direction, and Richie’s role in it, cannot be denied. However, when his talent for creating melodic songs was at its peak, these criticisms seemed insignificant. “Easy” remains a remarkable song, whether it is played on local radio or not. The composition is masterfully crafted, with the melody and smooth beat perfectly capturing the complex emotions expressed in the lyrics – a mix of carefree indifference with a tinge of remorse and regret.
Source: theguardian.com
