Nightshift…

So I'm watching So You Think You Can Dance tonight….  Two guys, one dressed as a cop and the other as a janitor, did a dance routine to the song "Nightshift" by The Commodores…

The official video…

I always thought of "Nightshift" as one of the more boring songs by The Commodores…  When it was popular in 1985, I didn't know what the song was about.  I didn't have much knowledge of the people Walter Orange, lead singer of The Commodores at the time, was singing about.  The people referenced in that song were great black singers who died much too young.  The lyrics paid homage to the genius behind some of the most memorable singers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  The song came out a year after Marvin Gaye Jr. was gunned down on his birthday, by his minister father no less.  It's a eulogy to him and others who paved the way for groups like The Commodores.

But you'd never know that based on tonight's performance on So You Think You Can Dance.  I don't think those guys ever took the time to listen to the lyrics.  They were playing it like the song was literally about people who work the night shift, like cops and janitors.  They dressed the part and danced brilliantly, but the totally missed the point.  Check out the lyrics.

Nightshift
Commodores
Music & Lyrics : F. Golde - W. Orange - D. Lambert

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

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 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

Nothing in these lyrics suggest that they have anything to do with working on an actual night shift.  This song is a memorial and they completely missed the point.  

Marvin Gaye sings "What's Goin' On", reference in the song…

Jackie Wilson sings "Baby Workout"...