“Marvin, he was a friend of mine
And he could sing a song…”

“Jackie (Jackie, oh) you set
The world on fire
You came and gifted us
Your love it lifted us …”

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Nightshift, released by the Commodores in 1985, was written by lead singer Walter Orange with Dennis Lambert and Franne Golde. The song is a tribute to soul/R&B singers Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, both of whom had died the previous year. It references Marvin Gaye’s hit What’s Going On and Jackie Wilson’s Baby Workout and (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.

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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
You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

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
You found another home
I know you’re not alone
On the nightshift

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
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…

Source:  LyricFind

Songwriters: Franne Golde / Dennis Lambert / Walter Orange

Nightshift – Single Version lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management Inc, BMG Rights Management

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Thanks to A Unique Title for Me for hosting this challenge again this week. It’s so much fun!

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