Nightshift (song)
{{short description|1985 song by the Commodores}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Nightshift
| cover = Commodores-nightshift-1984-US-artwork.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Standard artwork (US vinyl single pictured)
| type = single
| artist = Commodores
| album = Nightshift
| B-side = I Keep Running
| released = January 18, 1985{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/brit-certified/|title=BPI certifications}}
| recorded = 1984
| studio =
| length = 5:04 (album version)
4:19 (7" single edit)
| label = Motown
| writer = {{hlist|Walter Orange|Dennis Lambert|Franne Golde}}
| producer = Dennis Lambert
| prev_title = Only You
| prev_year = 1983
| next_title = Animal Instinct
| next_year = 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.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/song-stories/nightshift-the-commodores|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626110904/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/song-stories/nightshift-the-commodores|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2012|title="Nightshift" The Commodores - 1984|access-date=February 22, 2014|magazine=Rolling Stone}} "Nightshift" was recorded in 1984 and became the Commodores' first hit after Lionel Richie's departure from the group. Bruce Springsteen covered the song in his 2022 studio album, Only the Strong Survive.
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 Marvin 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 Keeps Lifting 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/commodores/|title=COMMODORES - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=January 5, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/commodores-mn0000766094/awards|title=Commodores Artist Biography by Craig Lytle - Awards|access-date=February 22, 2014 |website=Allmusic.com}}{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=130}} It was the group's final top ten hit.
Although the band was against the label decision to release it as a single,{{cite magazine|title=Singles - Commodores "Nightshift" (Motown)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=16jp_aFRHdgC&q=spin+magazine+1985+commodores+night+shift&pg=PA36|first=John|last=Leland|author-link=John Leland (journalist)|magazine=Spin|pages=36|date=June 1985|access-date=August 22, 2010}} 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."{{cite magazine| magazine= Spin | title=Singles|author=John Leland| date=June 1985|issue=2|page=73}}
Chart performance
{{col-begin}}
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=Weekly charts=
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=Year-end charts=
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Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Nightshift"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=The Commodores|title=Nightshift|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1985|certyear=1985|access-date=August 2, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Commodores|title=Nightshift|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=1985|certyear=1985|id=4581-228-1|access-date=August 2, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/bruce-springsteen-performs-nightshift-on-fallon-watch/|title=Bruce Springsteen Performs "Nightshift" on Fallon: Watch |first=Matthew|last=Ruiz|work=Pitchfork|date=November 17, 2022|access-date=July 9, 2023|archive-date=February 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204101709/https://pitchfork.com/news/bruce-springsteen-performs-nightshift-on-fallon-watch/|url-status=live}}
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
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110725151825/http://mms.businesswire.com/bwapps/mediaserver/ViewMedia?mgid=233288&vid=9&download=1 2010 Re-recording dedicated to Michael Jackson]
{{Commodores}}
{{Bruce Springsteen songs}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Bruce Springsteen songs
Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
Category:Number-one singles in the Netherlands
Category:Songs about Marvin Gaye
Category:Songs written by Franne Golde