Commodores ~ Easy 1977 Soul Purrfection Version

The Commodores history starts in 1968 with two groups of freshman singers who were students at Alabama's Tuskegee Institute. The Jays members Lionel Richie, William King and Thomas McClary joined with Milan Williams, Andre Callahan and Michael Gilbert of The Mystics to form a group almost known as "The Commodes". Naming the new group was the first priority and King decided to use a dictionary opened to an random page then put his finger down between "commode" and "commodore". They won the annual freshman talent contest and began gigging on the weekends with a new vocalist, James Ingram (not the one you know) who got inducted into the Army and was replaced by Walter Orange. Lead vocals then alternated between Orange and Richie. Callahan left the group in 1970 with Ronald Lapread taking his place. The Commodores joined the stable of Motown artists in 1971 when they were signed to the MoWest label. Their first gig was to open for the Jackson 5 at the Madison Square Garden that same year. Toiling in the background for several years as session players and touring band, they finally got to record and released their first LP "Machine Gun" in 1974. Joining then in the studio was producer James Anthony Carmicheal, who deftly guided their funk leanings into a palatable sound. Carmichael had been working with the Jackson 5 and other Motown artists when the Commordores realized they needed some guidance in the studio and felt that he was the best choice the studio had and later added ballads to their repertoire with the bands agreement. The album was fiery funk affair that produced "Machine Gun" and "I Feel Sanctified" and was devoid of the sentimental love songs that became their forte. "Machine Gun" lit up the pop charts, peaking at #22 in the summer of 1974, but got all the way to #7 on the R&B survey. The follow up album, "Caught In The Act" contained "Slippery When Wet" which topped the R&B chart in July of 1975. A second LP issued that same year called "Movin On" had a nice balance of their signature funk along with "Sweet Love", a tender and engaging song that Americans took to heart and made it a Top 5 pop and a #2 R&B single. Next up was "Just To Be Close To You" another soft and sexy #1 R&B song, but a #7 Hot100 hit in 1976 from their "Hot On The Tracks" album. "Fancy Dancer" was the follow up and it barely made Top 40 Pop by peaking at #39, but fared better by going #7 R&B. In 1977, they released their eponymously named LP that contained "Easy" another #1 R&B and the funky "Brick House" that went Top 5 pop and R&B. Looking back on this, its easy to see that Richie had a handle on the country sound that he would use with Kenny Rogers who recorded "Lady" and took it to the top of charts for six weeks in 1980. "Easy" came about when Richie was challenged by record executives who thought that "Just To Be Close To You" was too black for pop radio. Discouraged by this claim, he sat down and wrote "Easy" in response that had elements of pop, R&B and country. The response was incredible! It easily became their most popular song ever at the time, peaking at #1 R&B, then #4 on the Hot100.

[andytaylor]

Pretty much the best times of my life were the 70's. This song really brings it all back. Thanks for the memories, many times!

[g-ville]

Started acting out in my marriage which led to the wife leaving. She made a list for me that served as a prerequisite for her to come back. One of the main things was to get help in which I did and am still doing with counseling & psychiatry. Unfortunately she never showed signs of ever coming back as well as her father being a factor in her staying separated. Those lines of "girl you know I done all I can" and "everybody wants me to be what they want me to be" hit hard. I miss her dearly even though we are divorced but I know there was purpose behind it like me getting help. Ended up actually being diagnosed with a form of schizophrenia. I know God love me as he does you. I'm learning to be easy like a Sunday morning

[jeffreychandler]

I can always remember this classic that takes me back to easier times, less complicated, than the present reality!

[TTsquad-pz]

I was just a kid when this song came out till this day going on 60th birthday i still love it the same way as I were grown up as a kid.❤

[andrewleejr-hups]

When they made this song.They took my life and made a song out of it. That's why I go by the name Easy. Thanks Commodores!

[zorro]

This is Sunday morning, and hearing this version is like Sunday morning

[pontiacgrandprix]

Summer of 77, one of the most remarkable ones of my life, Disco was everywhere, WBLS in New York was the shit, the Bronx unfortunately was burning, but not where I lived, the black out was one big party, the girls were hot, the cars came in different colors besides Grey on Grey, we had whitewall tires, spokes, 8 track tapes, Crazy Eddie and Mayor Koch, The Commodores, Trammps, and Tavares, Teddy went solo, Donna was kickin ass, Diana Ross solo, Lionel was still with his group, and that felt good, we lost Elvis, that sucked, and The Son Of Sam was no party, crazy bastard, but we were looking for him ourselves, cause we were young, 41 summers have come and gone, a lot has changed, I'm a dad now, I tell him stories, he looks at his phone and can't begin to understand what we had, I'm sorry for these kids, cause they're never gonna have a Summer of 77

[sheilapalmer]

You are so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so bless

[sheilapalmer]

You are so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so fantastic

[sheilapalmer]

No body can't never ever take your place

[dollydagger]

I was born in the BEST decade for authentically good music!

[MishaBrianski]

One of a few american songs which you could hear on Soviet radio. I remember it from my childhood in late 70s :)

[MrAce-lmes]

Every other Sunday Morning, The Commodores always get me in the mood.

[sheilapalmer]

You are so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so fabulous

[viperzero]

I danced this song with a woman I love, but she doesn't love me, and this song reminds me of her

[yonitirado]

Easy like Sunday morning my favorite song 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[zeldatowers]

One of the Greatest Songs that could form a young lady's Life for teaching us about how to love love your music

[markherron]

Happy Birthday to Lionel Richie Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[colleenrichards]

I am chillaxing reflecting on awesome memories growing up with my siblings in Durban 🇿🇦 Red Cup 🥤 Approval Tune 🫶🏽 Thank you for the upload 😎

[corkovits]

gewoon rustig blijven 2022. maar ik steun Ukraine wel.op mijn manier. ik bid voor deze mensen en hoop dat het nu stopt niet morgen.