Nightshift (song)
| "Nightshift" | ||||
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 Standard artwork (US vinyl single pictured)
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| Single by Commodores | ||||
| from the album Nightshift | ||||
| B-side | "I Keep Running" | |||
| Released | 18 January 1985 | |||
| Recorded | 1984 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
5:04 (album version) 4:19 (7" single edit) |
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| Label | Motown | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Dennis Lambert | |||
| Commodores singles chronology | ||||
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"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. "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, 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. It was the group's final top ten hit.
Although the band was against the label decision to release it as a single, 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."
Chart performance
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 250,000^ |
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^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
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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.
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.