Retro Video of the Week: "Nightshift" by The Commodores

Thirty years ago today, The Commodores released Nightshift, their eleventh studio album (and second since Lionel Richie's departure).  It would prove to be the group's last big album, hitting #12 on the Billboard album charts and #1 on the Billboard R&B album charts.

The title track to the album was also a huge hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the Billboard R&B charts, and the Top 10 on the charts in several other countries.  It was the group's first Top 40 hit in the U.S. since "Oh No" hit #4 in 1981, and it ended up being the group's best-charting song since "Still" hit #1 in 1979.  Unfortunately, it was also the group's last Top 40 song in the U.S.

"Nightshift" is a tribute to two giants of soul and R&B who died in 1984:  Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson.  Gaye -- a former label mate of the Commodores at Motown -- was killed the day before his 45th birthday by his own father, who shot Gaye in the chest on April 1, 1984 after Gaye jumped in the middle of a fight between his parents.  Wilson died at 49 of pneumonia on January 21, 1984, after over eight years of incapacitation after he had a massive heart attack on stage in 1975.

Lead vocals are shared by drummer Walter Orange and Richie's replacement, J.D. Nicholas.  The first word of the song -- the echoing "Marvin" -- harkens the "father" with echoes at the beginning of Gaye's 1970 hit "What's Going On," which is itself mentioned later in the song, as are several Wilson songs.  "Nightshift" won the Grammy in 1985 for Best Vocal R&B Performance by a Duo/Group.