COMMODORES - NIGHTSHIFT

Estrena: 18 de gener de 1985

Llistes: EUA: #3 Regne Unit: #3

"Nightshift" és una cançó dels Commodores, llançada el 1984 com a homenatge als cantants de soul/R&B Jackie Wilson i Marvin Gaye, tots dos desapareguts aquell any. La cançó va ser el títol del seu àlbum de 1985 "Nightshift". Escrita pel cantant principal Walter Orange en col·laboració amb Dennis Lambert i Franne Golde, "Nightshift" va ser el primer èxit dels Commodores després de la sortida de Lionel Richie del grup. La cançó compta amb Orange a la veu principal, amb J.D. Nicholas, el substitut de Lionel Richie, cantant el segon vers i compartint la veu principal en els cors restants. "Nightshift" va guanyar el Grammy del 1985 a la millor interpretació R&B d'un duo o grup amb veu.

La lletra ret homenatge a "What's Going On" de Marvin Gaye i a cançons de Jackie Wilson com "Lonely Teardrops", "Baby Workout" i "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher". "Nightshift" comparteix similituds temàtiques amb "Rock And Roll Heaven" dels Righteous Brothers, que imagina estrelles del rock difunts formant una banda al cel.

Bruce Springsteen va enregistrar "Nightshift" pel seu projecte de versions soul del 2022 "Only The Strong Survive". Segons una declaració, l'èxit dels Commodores va ser una de les primeres seleccions per a la llista de cançons. Va inspirar a Springsteen, al seu productor Ron Aniello i a l'enginyer Rob Lebret a anomenar-se 'The Nightshift' mentre treballaven en aquest nou àlbum. La versió d’Springsteen va ser llançada com a senzill l'octubre del 2022. També es va publicar un videoclip per a la seva versió.

COMMODORES - NIGHTSHIFT

Released: January 18, 1985

Charted:  US: #3  UK: #3 

"Nightshift" is a song by the Commodores, released in 1984 as a tribute to soul/R&B singers Jackie Wilson and Marvin Gaye, both of whom passed away in 1984. The song was the title track of their 1985 album "Nightshift." Written by lead singer Walter Orange in collaboration with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde, "Nightshift" was the Commodores' first hit after Lionel Richie's departure from the group. The song features Orange on lead vocals, with J.D. Nicholas, Lionel Richie's replacement, singing the second verse and sharing lead vocals on the remaining choruses. "Nightshift" won the 1985 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

The lyrics pay homage to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and Jackie Wilson's songs like "Lonely Teardrops," "Baby Workout," and "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher." "Nightshift" shares thematic similarities with "Rock And Roll Heaven" by the Righteous Brothers, which imagines deceased rock stars forming a band in heaven. 

Bruce Springsteen recorded "Nightshift" for his 2022 soul covers project “Only The Strong Survive”. According to a statement, the Commodores hit was one of the first selections for the set list. It inspired Springsteen, his producer Ron Aniello and engineer Rob Lebret to call themselves 'The Nightshift' while finishing this new album. Springsteen version was released as a single in October 2022. A music video for his cover was also released.