Commodores - You're Special 1979

From the Midnight Magic Album 1979
Nm the Big Hits :-)
You're Special is IMHO
with Lovin You & Wonderland
the best tracks of the album



Album Review by Alex Henderson

When the Commodores' seventh studio album, Midnight Magic, came out in 1979, one could safely assume that the LP would contain at least one adult contemporary ballad. And sure enough, Midnight Magic contains the ballad "Still," which was a number one pop hit (as well as a number one R&B hit) and became a staple on adult contemporary radio. The sappy ballad (which features Lionel Richie) wasn't without its detractors, who felt that the Commodores had become too much of a slick crossover act. But even if "Still" doesn't excite you, the rest of the album isn't bad. "Wonderland" (a number 21 R&B hit) is an enjoyable R&B slow jam, and fans of sophisticated funk (as opposed to hardcore funk) should appreciate "You're Special," "Gettin' It," and the disco-minded title song. "Sexy Lady" is the only thing on the LP that can honestly be described as hardcore funk; most of the up-tempo tunes favor the type of sophisticated funk that the Brothers Johnson, Rufus/Chaka Khan, and Heatwave were known for in the late '70s. Next to "Still," the album's best-known track is "Sail On," which reached number eight on Billboard's R&B singles chart (and number four on its pop single chart) despite the fact that it is essentially a pop-country song. Some R&B purists saw "Sail On" as a blatant example of how watered down the Commodores had become, but it's still a charming and likable tune -- one that wouldn't have been out of place on a Dolly Parton or Glen Campbell LP. Midnight Magic isn't one of the Commodores' essential releases, and R&B purists are advised to stick to the band's pre-1977 albums. Nonetheless, this is a generally decent, if uneven, record that has more strengths than weaknesses.


source allmusicguide

Category:

Music

Tags:

• TheCommodores
• Commodres
• LionelRichie
• Still
• SailOn
• Easy
• BrickHouse
• Soul
• R&B
• Slowjams
• 70's
• 80's
• ArchieGe

[LEVONALD]

one of there most underated songs.they were all in the zone on this album.

[Londongirl8]

This is one of my all -time favorite tracks by The Commodores. Forget Three Times a lady & Easy, this is thr real deal!!

Great post.

[LemursFriend]

Who else likes Up, Up, and Away (In My Beautiful Balloon) by the 5th Dimension?

[LemursFriend]

@AyeeitsEMMAx3 Aww that's cute :) I had a friend, Heidi, who had a pet hamster. The hamster was very cuddly. He even got along with my cat (who did not eat rodents). We had some good times introducing our pets. :) but we played them songs from The Lion King, not funk... lol maybe the next pet I meet I will sing a funky song to. ;-) Do you like Dip Trip Flip Fantasia by Cantaloupe?

[LemursFriend]

@rankine67 that is so sweet :) I'm glad you made your dreams come true by using music :) I think people should use music more to convince people to do good things. :)

[KrfNYC2]

@LEVONALD Word. Also, "Say Yeah". That song is some top notch soul.

[themaxxxman1]

this is el dorado crusing slow jam.  i mean this is the real deal. Lionel B Richie got cuts like this on the sidelines ain't nobody post Stevie Wonder Prime touching LBR's Pen and Pad Skills and he threw down vocally. the commodores had that cold groove going on as well. this cut is crying for a extended version on the islands, so much flavor

[jhdennis1]

I bought the parent album ("Midnight Magic") based on this song and "Sail On", and wasn't disappointed.

[wildnpeacefulme]

@AyeeitsEMMAx3 lmfaooooooooooooo!!!!

[AyeeitsEMMAx3]

i used to play this on my headset and sing it to my pet hamster henry

[BMI07]

@TallBoyEnt yes....and that was a SICK beat :)

[BMI07]

FUNKY!!!!