Peak
3
Weeks
22
Score
3,373
Chart Year
1985
///
"Nightshift" is a tribute to singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984. Gaye was a Motown star known for love songs like "Let's Get It On" and "Sexual Healing." Wilson was an R&B singer known for his stirring performances and hits like "Lonely Teardrops." Wilson was 49 when he died; Gaye was 44. Both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This song was conceived as a soul version of "Rock And Roll Heaven," the 1974 Righteous Brothers hit where they picture fallen stars like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin forming a band in heaven. In the Commodores song, Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson are on heaven's nightshift, playing some sweet sounds. The songwriter Franne Golde was brought in to help with the lyrics. She had recently seen the 1982 movie Night Shift (starring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton; directed by Ron Howard), which gave her the idea for the title. "Nightshift" is the Commodores' only big hit after Lionel Richie left the band in 1982. J.D. Nicholas, a former backup singer for Diana Ross, was brought in to replace Richie. Musically, this song started with a groove their drummer Walter "Clyde" Orange came up with. He sang lead on the track, with J.D. Nicholas taking the second verse. Report this ad The line, "Your love it lifted us higher and higher," is a reference to Wilson's 1967 hit, "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher." Along with Franne Golde and Walter Orange, this song was written by Dennis Lambert, who produced it. Lambert's associate Peter Wolf (not the J. Geils frontman) did the arrangement. The band got a new recording contract as a result of this song, but they were never able to follow it up with another hit. Won the 1985 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. When the Commodores performed "Nightshift" on the 1985 Motown Returns to the Apollo TV special, they added more verses to honor other Motown legends who had passed on. >> On March 16, 1985, "Nightshift" went to #1 on the R&B chart, where it stayed for four weeks. The song it replaced, "Missing You" by Diana Ross, was also a tribute to Marvin Gaye. That one was written by former Commodore Lionel Richie. Bruce Springsteen recorded "Nightshift" for his 2022 soul covers project Only The Strong Survive. According to a statement, the Commodores hit was an early selection for the tracklist. It "inspired Springsteen, his producer Ron Aniello and engineer Rob Lebret to christen themselves 'The Nightshift' while finishing this new record."
Marvin, he was a friend of mine And he could sing a song His heart in every line Marvin sang of the joy and pain He opened up our minds And I still can hear him say Aw talk to me so you can see What's going on Say you will sing your songs Forevermore (evermore) Gonna be some sweet sounds Coming down on the nightshift I bet you're singing proud Oh I bet you'll pull a crowd Gonna be a long night It's gonna be all right On the nightshift Oh you found another home I know you're not alone On the nightshift You found another home I know you're not alone On the nightshift Jackie (Jackie), hey what'you doing now It seems like yesterday When we were working out Jackie (Jackie, oh) you set The world on fire You came and gifted us Your love it lifted us Higher and higher Keep it up and We'll be there At your side Oh say you will sing Your songs forevermore (evermore) Gonna be some sweet sounds Coming down on the nightshift I bet you're singing proud Oh I bet you'll pull a crowd Gonna be a long night It's gonna be all right On the nightshift Oh you found another home I know you're not alone On the nightshift Gonna be some sweet sounds Coming down on the nightshift I bet you're singing proud Oh I bet you'll pull a crowd Gonna be a long night It's gonna be all right On the nightshift Oh you found another home I know you're not alone On the nightshift Gonna miss your sweet voice That soulful voice On the nightshift We all remember you Ooh the songs are coming through At the end of a long day It's gonna be okay On the nightshift You found another home I know you're not alone On the nightshift
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 26, 1985 | 71 | 55 |
| 2 | Feb 2, 1985 | 62 | 64 |
| 3 | Feb 9, 1985 | 58 | 68 |
| 4 | Feb 16, 1985 | 49 | 77 |
| 5 | Feb 23, 1985 | 44 | 82 |
| 6 | Mar 2, 1985 | 33 | 93 |
| 7 | Mar 9, 1985 | 28 | 98 |
| 8 | Mar 16, 1985 | 24 | 102 |
| 9 | Mar 23, 1985 | 15 | 111 |
| 10 | Mar 30, 1985 | 10 | 116 |
| 11 | Apr 6, 1985 | 7 | 119 |
| 12 | Apr 13, 1985 | 4 | 122 |
| 13 | Apr 20, 1985 | 3 | 123 |
| 14 | Apr 27, 1985 | 4 | 122 |
| 15 | May 4, 1985 | 8 | 118 |
| 16 | May 11, 1985 | 13 | 113 |
| 17 | May 18, 1985 | 24 | 102 |
| 18 | May 25, 1985 | 35 | 91 |
| 19 | Jun 1, 1985 | 55 | 71 |
| 20 | Jun 8, 1985 | 80 | 46 |