Easy - The Commodores (WITH ENDING) | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@shannonbennett987]

And they weren't a singing group, they were a band. They wrote it, played it and sang it all. They were part of what was the class of R&B royalty in the 70's. Radio was so great then.

[@oboogie2]

Not to mention that music was so great back then that it didn't matter the genre; you could hear the Commodores, Boston, ELO, Eagles, Earth Wind & Fire, Bee Gees, Stevie Wonder, Supertramp, The Spinners, and Kenny Rogers all in a row without changing the radio station!

[@shannonbennett987]

@@oboogie2 Exactly.

[@zippitydoodah5693]

@@oboogie2 Yeah. That was back before radio died.

[@michaelasay8587]

That didn't make sense

[@oboogie2]

@@zippitydoodah5693 truly.

[@varsitycamplife]

Lionel Ritchie rode that silky voice independently into super stardom in the 80’s, but nothing he ever did eclipsed the greatness of this song and performance, imho. A+ all day long!

[@itchyandred4131]

I completely agree with you ✌️

[@lynnschnekenburger7270]

Agree

[@David-iv6je]

Also incredible that the same band that did this did "Brick House," which funks so hard I twitch just thinking about it.

[@samuraiwarriorsunite]

@@David-iv6je And Walter Clyde Orange (The Drummer) sang lead vocals on that classic.

[@terrilgeorge7255]

My absolute favourite!

[@fleurdelis2976]

I always thought "easy like a Sunday morning" was a great line too. "Sail On" is another wonderful song. The Commodores were a hit making machine and Lionel Ritchie went on to to have a very successful solo career. The Commodores/Lionel Ritchie songs were everywhere and there wasn't a bad one in any of them. It was fun watching your reaction. I guess we must have looked the same way when we first heard it.

[@garyking6519]

Sail On!!! I used to cover that one!

[@joelliebler5690]

Great tune. Lionel went on to an even bigger solo career!

[@clare1061]

My dad was a huge Commodores fan. I was blessed to be raised on Lionel's music either with the Commodores or solo.

[@ingrid8994]

Sail On is my favorite 😊

[@michaelasay8587]

@@garyking6519 I wanna hear it!

[@surlechapeau]

A&A, you’ll love their “Brick House”, “Three Times A Lady”, “Still” and “Sail On”!! This is before Lionel Richie went solo. “Three Times A Lady”, “Still” were on his compilation/hits album ‘Fore And Back’. Thomas McClary guitar, vocals, Ronald LaPread bass, vocals. edit- Lionel Richie wrote "Easy'.

[@wendyeverett4768]

For more of this genre of Commodores, 3 Times, Still & Sail On are great. For a big contrast to this song, go for Brick House!

[@lamusiclover2264]

The theme of the song is that he is leaving his partner, but he feels good and comfortable and "Easy" about it. It's not going to worry him or ruin his life.

[@Stygian60]

One of the shortest, simplest but most powerful guitar solos ever!

[@kastnerr]

Bradley Nowell (Sublime) "Hold my beer".

[@TheNoncritical1]

@@kastnerr The song was released in 1977. Who played guitar on it?

[@varsitycamplife]

Agreed

[@kastnerr]

@@TheNoncritical1 Thomas McClary... (According to Wikipedia)

[@michaelgallagher3640]

​@@kastnerr ...Definitely McClary, saw a great interview with him somewhere.

[@impudentdomain]

Lionel is a musical genius. I remember chilling to this back when I was in college. Those my age lived in a golden age of music but we didn't know it.

[@joeday4293]

On the other hand, those of us who were teenagers in the 80s knew for sure that those of you who were teenagers in the seventies grew up in a golden age, because the radio sucked and we were all looking at least 10 years into the past to find decent music.

[@impudentdomain]

@@joeday4293 I do not agree, there were plenty of good bands and good music in the 1980's. To me it didn't really go downhill until the 1990's with the rise of grunge, autotune and factory created hip hop.

[@333perfection]

​@@impudentdomain I was a teenager in the seventies. But what you say in your comment is agreeable for sure.👍😊

[@kathynicholson103]

​@@impudentdomain YES! I loved the 70s as well as the 80s, although most of my favorite 80s music was new wave and alternative. Both decades had their strong points. And you're right; the 90s lost me. It seemed like everything fell apart.

[@bobbimc13]

So very true!

[@hecubot]

You've gotta understand this the *hardest* funk band in the land. "Brick House" destroyed all comers. And they were a true band (like EWF). So this is a band of coiled intensity, playing a ballad. And you can feel it. You can feel it in how Lionel is receptive to the drums. In the guitar solo. In the pre-Bridge. It's a living band dynamic.

[@paulspillman9413]

You know when a song is popular on the radio you hear it all the time, maybe too many times. But I had forgotten how good this song is. Thanks guys.

[@Mona.555]

and after all these years you still think it’s a great song.

[@emilyflotilla931]

Same here!

[@robmcgrath5202]

Me, too. When was the last time I actually listened to it and not just repeated the chorus in my head? It's been a long time and had also forgotten how good it was.

[@glennstango5342]

Faith No More does an EXCELLENT job of a remake of this song.....FANTASTIC

[@Stygian60]

You know a song is good when you are a hard rock guitar riffs and chords lover but this "slow" hits you like a ton of bricks ! ❤️🤘

[@carolinekennedy3689]

Flashbacks to the summer of 1977, as a teenager with not a care in the world, this tune everywhere on transistor radios as I sat on the beach… yeah, it’s easy like Sunday morning! ❤ Love Lionel Richie and have been lucky to see him twice in concert - flawless, timeless. 🎤🎹

[@kennyhuskisson2684]

The good ole days for sure!👍✌️

[@Chatta-Ortega]

So glad I was a teenager when all of this great music was being created. Every genre had great tunes.

[@tchampagne1494]

I just got some pictures emailed to me yesterday of the Commodores with my stepmother and my father hanging out at Venus Beach in the 70s. My stepmother was a booking agent for them. She is now in her 90s.

[@CrowTRobot-ni7zu]

I am most DEFINITELY having a great life! I just got informed yesterday that I'm getting a promotion at work.

[@guitar_player_bernie]

The voice: Lionel Ritchie of the then Commodores. This was his breakout performance that sent him into stardom with his solo career.

[@lindakessler8768]

70's music...so much to choose from. It made us much more open to other types of artists. We love it all!! 👍❤🤙

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Yes, absolutely! 60s/70s/80s had great music in all genres. We were spoiled & didn't realize that the golden era would ever end. I do especially love the 70s.

[@jdw5678]

That '77 Commodores album was the watershed moment for Lionel Richie and company. Along with this smooth track, the LP featured the funky party track of the year, "Brickhouse," and the album's gem, "Zoom." A year later came "Three Times a Lady," the big-time wedding reception first dance song of the late '70s.

[@clare1061]

Lionel has a one of a kind voice. His delivery and range is unbelievable. His music took me to a special place.

[@Stygian60]

This is probably my favorite Commodores song. Gives me goosebumps every single time! And that solo, wow, just brings it home!!

[@Richard_Jones]

Weirdly, at least I think so, it ended up number one on the country charts.

[@bobsawin1920]

Night Shift eclipses this for me.

[@Stygian60]

@@bobsawin1920 can't argue it's extremely good.

[@bobsawin1920]

​@@Stygian60 Springsteen covers Night Shift and many other soul gems on his latest album.

[@scottboswell6406]

I think Lionel Ritchie deserves all the credit for the "easy like Sunday morning" line!! I cannot tell you how many times I've thought of this song on Sunday mornings, LOL!! A+, definitely!!

[@z-man2343]

First heard this album, and The Commodores, while working at a summer camp back in the 80's. I was a prog rock snob and thought the Commodores were just vapid pop...until another counselor played this on a boom box at a late night campfire. What a revelation that was! Changed my whole perspective on popular music.

[@swordmonkey6635]

The Commodores, like Earth, Wind & Fire and Cameo was a big band with a full brass section.

[@helgar791]

IMO Lionel Ritchie is the greatest writer of love songs in the R&B/R&R era, and it isn't close. My two favorites remain "Still" and "Sail On". For me they're companion songs that show that modern love is a continuum. I'd also like to see you guys listen to The Brothers Johnson and "Strawberry Letter 23" with that psychedelic/funk sound.

[@moniqueleroux2198]

R&R?

[@impudentdomain]

the song he wrote for Kenny Rodgers, Lady also sold millions

[@dewaynejelks9088]

Glad you guys enjoyed this. Try "Nightshift" or "Three Times a Lady". You could try a different group. The Brothers Johnson "Strawberry Letter 22" is a sonic overload you may enjoy.

[@sopyleecrypt6899]

Or go to the original version of Strawberry by Shuggie Otis. I love Shuggie, he is criminally underrated.

[@surlechapeau]

its "Strawberry Letter 23"

[@zephead64]

@@surlechapeau true …even though the lyric says ‘22’.

[@bruceburri9426]

Because the lyric itself is Strawberry Letter #23. The singer refers to the previous letter, which was “a present from” his lady.

[@anthonydawson8080]

I always suggest people brothers Johnson but rarely see it

[@jackie_jrml]

Now that you’ve heard this you have to hear Faith No More’s version!! It’s surprisingly good! Mike Patton has one hell of a voice! Back to this version- Lionel’s vocal runs are 👌🏼👌🏼

[@Star_R666]

Sail On was also a big hit with a mellow vibe. What makes it special in the writing is I've never heard a song that the chorus is at the end only. Great song too.

[@mykicks]

I was promoting records for the Motown distributor in Houston when this record came out. Lionel Richie & 2 of the other Commodores came to town one day, and I rode around in their limo with them for several hours, for them to do interviews at the local radio stations. Really nice guys. Don't miss the flip-side of this record which was equally good and made it a double AA sided record. It was called "Still". This record probably hastened the breakup of The Commodores since it pushed Lionel Richie out front and made him the de facto leader of the band. Maybe a little jealousy seeped in. Another mega-hit for him at this time was called "Sail On" and is a great record. At this time Lionel was literally the hottest songwriter on the planet, writing monster hits not only for himself, but other big acts like Kenny Rogers, who was also sizzling hot at this time. His hit written by Lionel was called "Lady" and sold millions. Great record. He co-wrote "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson. And "Missing You" for Diana Ross, a big hit after she left The Supremes. Of course he'd written "Three Times A Lady", a mega-hit for The Commodores. He also penned the theme song for the movie "Endless Love" and had a huge hit with it in a duet with coupled with Diana Ross.

[@SimonSays5]

The song ‘Missing You’ was written after the tragic death of Marvin Gaye, and was sung by Diana Ross as a tribute to Marvin. They had recorded one great album together in 1970s called ‘Diane & Marvin’.

[@nyrocks5580]

Popular adult music was brought to us by phenomenal songwriters, vocalists, musicians and producers.

[@jeramieluing1343]

I love love love this song. FYI "Faith No More" Does a Brilliant version of this song. True to the original.

[@lisaannbarriner9633]

I’ve always loved this slow, melodic groove. So smooth and soulful. One of the best summer songs ever.

[@renevious]

The Faith No More cover of this is also worth a listen. It's a shortened version, but it's still great.

[@bmailb]

Lionel's voice was easy like a Sunday morning.

[@Tipper65]

Glad you liked this one. Other suggestions: Zoom; Three Times a Lady; Lady (You Bring Me Up); Sail On

[@sallybannister6224]

Fat Larry's Band sang Zoom

[@mikelair9144]

Commodores Live. An outstanding live Album. Zoom and Easy are amazing

[@danielventura8073]

You young guys bring this 61 year old man some great memories 🎵

[@johnmrog]

Andy said "He seemed receptive to the drums". Great recognition. Lionel Ritchie was not only The Commodores lead vocalist and primary lyricist, he was also the piano player. And any musician that has ever been in a band knows that the coordination between drums and piano has to be *tight* since both instruments are part of the rhythm section. Its only logical that Ritchie's vocals would be receptive to the drums as well.

[@kenharness7430]

He also played.sax early on.

[@sherryheim5504]

This song is so beautiful, it just puts my mind into kicking back in a hammock on some sunny beach, alone, eyes closed and reflecting as the waves lap the shore in the background. What a great mood piece this is, I have always loved it.

[@murdockreviews]

I grew up with the version by Faith No More, which is very faithful to the original. What can you say? This is a perfect song.

[@Historian212]

Ah, the 70s. I was just out of college that year. I didn't even realize how great this song was at the time, it was just there, part of the musical backdrop to life. Nice review, guys.

[@ZZ430T56]

Many see Lionel on American Idol now and don't realize how talented and huge he was.

[@SimonSays5]

An all-time Soul Classic. So many suggestions for The Brothers Johnson’s ‘Strawberry Letter 22’. This and ‘Ain’t we funkin now’ definitely worth checking out. 🙏😊

[@markkracht9413]

Still love EASY almost 50 years after first hearing it…

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

Wonderful !!! Plus, some things are TIMELESS ... More! More! More!

[@sallyhart3044]

How many times did I hear this on the radio and just sing along like I did every other great song of those days and not really appreciate it? How many years ago? I got chills this time ! So good. Thanks guys!

[@debrafong8899]

By far, my absolute favorite Commodores song. Lionel Ritchie was absolutely amazing in this band. It’s so great to see you doing more R and B! Keep them coming!

[@thanksfernuthin]

Lionel Ritchie. Usually when a singer leaves a band they struggle to match the success. Lionel did his own thing and EXPLODED!!! What a great talent!

[@danawooten-pi7dm]

It’s Fun 🤩 Getting Different People Reactions From Different Song 🎶, And This Is A Great Song 🎶 !!!!!!!!

[@RenR70]

Another group that had a few iterations, early on they were very much a Funk band then later became more R&B & Pop. “Sail On” probably my favorite.

[@Shang1966]

Once again - loved to see their reaction to a great song. Need to share this as the image just popped into my head while listening. I used to sleep over my best friends house often, especially in the summer. His older sister had this cassette tape and we loved this song. So, on a Sunday morning, he borrowed the tape while she slept and we rode around on our bikes listening to it on his bulky RCA radio/cassette player. We ended up at the local 7-11 to get slurpees. That was either the summer of '77 or '78 and we were 11 or 12. To think that it is now 45 years ago just numbs me. What great memories of childhood innocence.

[@margaretanscombe730]

Sometimes these 70s songs can really make your heart ache for other times…

[@paulwalker9421]

Lionel Richie has a great voice and he is a great writer composer. .Over all a fantastic group.

[@genevievecooperman4213]

I just looked up to see if you've ever listened to "Jane" by Jefferson Starship. So, unbelievable that you haven't listend to that song yet! what a banger!

[@kbusby4824]

Rob Squad Reactions just reacted to it yesterday. Great song.

[@fairalways]

Can't believe this is your first time hearing this! This whole album was a smash, top to bottom. Easy was just killer. Brick House, Slippery When Wet, Too Hot Ta Trot, Just To Be Close To You, Zoom...damn, I can't remember them all.

[@spryttle]

LOL! Glad you're reposting! Was bummed when it got cut off mid-stream. Great song and looking forward to your comments. Kinda wished you hit 'Zoom' first, but 'Easy' is a superb tune. Check out 'High on Sunshine' from their 'Natural High' album. That's a song that just lifts the spirits. Awesome roadtrip tune. But my guess is that 'Brick House' will be the next one that's voted on. lol

[@theresadeleon5067]

They did Brick House as part of Black History Month livestream last year. They were bouncing out of their chairs. 😂

[@ragjamrock]

Zoom is also a huge favorite of mine! Lionel Ritchie wrote some great songs!🎶🎸🌠

[@sallybannister6224]

@ragjamrock Zoom was Fat Larry's Band ,unless The Commodores did same title song ?

[@ragjamrock]

@@sallybannister6224 Same title, different song. Released in 1977.

[@theivory1]

Faith No More did an excellent cover of this one.

[@TriScorp]

Yeah i almost like that one more than this

[@Military450Veteran]

👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 NO. NO to faith NO more (pun intended), lol! 🤣 😝

[@rickwelch8464]

S tier song. Everything is perfection.

[@Jules-um4yy]

Such a smooth tune that is floating me into the weekend.☺ Love this group and Lionel - they have such a long string of hits! Check them out. Thanks guys for this reaction. I am totally chilled out now🧡🦋

[@blanewilliams5960]

Damn, I have not heard this in quite some time. What a great friggin' song, I enjoyed every second of that. Glad you both enjoyed and appreciated it, A+. Thank You!

[@MyargonautsJason]

the lyrics are wonderful and Lionel Richie's vocal is outstanding - love this song!! And you might have heard it before since I think this song is featured in the first Deadpool movie.

[@seonaidhamilton7905]

Mike Patton has an incredible vocal range and covers this song. However, I agree with the rating you gave this and also your comparison with Bil Withers Aint no Sunshine - classic songs.

[@davidmorrison893]

Best Commodores song for sure. I think I like Faith No More's version a bit more. They stayed very true to the original and didn't try to change it in any major way, just like their War Pigs cover. They just rock it out.

[@chompypunk890]

This tune is to be listen liyin' on the bed a fríday midnight becoming saturday: you just float in the air! So bitter and sweet at the same time. Listen too the Fait No More's versión, guys. Saluts and happy weekend! 👋🏻😃

[@d.b.cooperskydivingschool]

Surprised you two went A+ considering how much you were gushing. I thought for sure you’d go S for this one. It’s a gem of a song. There’s never a wrong time to listen to it.

[@gododgers081]

You should try the version by Faith No More. I was absolutely surprised on how good that version is as well.

[@brettg274]

Faith No More does a good cover of this song. Also the fact that you leave a bar when an unheard tune comes on … I appreciate the dedication and your sacrifice does not go without note.

[@Military450Veteran]

👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 NO. NO to faith NO more (pun intended), lol! 🤣 😝

[@ShibaMomma143]

His voice is just EFFORTLESS. So pure, so beautimous! 😍

[@CommodusSPQR]

It seems no matter what the genre, the 1970's gave us the best music.

[@RockyMtnRebecca]

Lionel Ritchie was/is a magnificent songwriter and singer and pianist. Check out more of The Commodores and Lionel Ritchie's solo stuff (there is a lot from both). ♥♥♥ PS: I just remembered you heard "Brick House" during your 'Black History stream'. Fun stuff!

[@roger1296]

This here is DAMN GREAT MUSIC! Thank you Lionel Richie!

[@deantait8326]

Virtually Every… life’s long song, is 70-Something

[@drewwin794]

SAIL ON’

[@joanlajara3939]

This was our life when I was young! We listened to this and every other kind of music in the 70’s , 80’s and beyond! But, in those days all different kinds of music was on one radio station! And our disc jockey was Howard Stern! Lol! Great stuff!

[@rkellymiller]

Such an iconic song! One of my top 5 favorites of all time.

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Brick House, Lady and Sail On are also great Commodores songs!

[@DM-hk4cw]

The Commodores have a great catalog of music. With that said, it's time for some Ohio Players.

[@TheHornGuy]

Y'all gotta give a listen to Faith No More's cover of this song. It's stellar.

[@privatename123]

In banger rock, a couple of the top all-time lines: Meet the new boss, same as the old boss; Hope I die before I get old; Guess I’m gonna have to tell’em, that I got no cerebellum.

[@Mrsjennysueq]

"Why in the world would anybody put chains on me" Yes! Be free, be easy. I LOVE this song.

[@jgsrhythm100]

Curtis Mayfield- Superfly (72) 🔥 Title track from the groundbreaking soundtrack

[@matthewford5094]

and then follow it with Willie Hutch's soundtrack to The Mack!

[@jgsrhythm100]

@@matthewford5094 Waa unfamiliar .. Thanks digging it!!

[@NewOldVideos-d5o]

Fun story: When the Commodores were just starting out, they were booked into a small club somewhere in Illinois. The night before the show there was an electrical fire and the club burned down. The group showed up anyway and helped with the clean up.

[@rollon863]

Great song. Love it. I remember when it came out. But now listening to it now I can hear this being a ''new country' hit lol

[@SF_Bud]

That was the great Lionel Richie singing and playing piano. He went on to a very successful solo career in the 80's. So that was The Commodores "fill the dance floor for the slow dance" song, now try their bangers: "Brickhouse" or the killer instrumental "Machine Gun". If you want some more killer ballads, try "Just to Be Close to You" or their big hit "Three Times a Lady" Thanks! Peace from SF

[@christhornycroft3686]

If you're doing albums, you guys should definitely check out the highly underrated Queen album Innuendo. It was made when Freddie was dying and everyone knew it, so many of the songs reflect that. There are some real gems there. The title track and Show Must Go On are epic, as well as Headlong, Hitman and I'm Going Slightly Mad. It's a tragic, brilliant piece of work from one of the greatest rock bands ever.

[@toddwestphal7953]

Love Faith No More’s version of this song

[@JamesJoyce12]

I would like to suggest an alternative definition to S-tier - if you can imagine yourself listening to a given song over your entire lifetime then it is s-tier - for me this is S-tier - I will be a drooling fool in a senior's home and listening to Easy

[@SPohl-zy4rz]

Nice reaction guys. You couldn't go wrong with the Commodores in the '70s. "Sail On" is another great one.

[@ericblair54]

The guitar solo was played by The Commodores founder Thomas McClary and sung by Lionel Richie who also wrote the song.

[@themajicman745]

This song was r&b and funk in the 70's when Lionel was with the Commodores. I would love to see you crazy head bobbing cats do some Johnny Guitar Watson when you decide to do music from this genr again. (Superman Lover, Ain't That a Bitch, A Real Mother For Ya, Gangster of Love and I Want to Ta-Ta You Baby, etc.) or some Larry Graham (The Jam) the long version.

[@charlesc7950]

One of the best songs of the 70's! Sail On next!

[@rpmfla]

4:00 Way back when this was regularly played on the radio, we called this the "zipper song" because there is a point in the song where it sounds like someone zipping up (or down). Whenever the song played at a party or whatever, many guys would mime zipping up their pants at the moments in the song where that sound occurs.

[@OberonOZ]

Great reaction, glad you liked the song (you should also do the Faith No More version of this) but Im disappointed that this won over I Feel Love because that one was a ground breaker! :)

[@IceManTX69]

Such a great band. 'Sail On' is another incredible song of theirs that I love.

[@dawnknox4640]

Awesome song 🎵 ♥️ Loved your reaction ♥️

[@kimberly3131]

So smooth. The vibe, the vocsls, the tune and the harmony makes me feel easy like Sunday morning.. Love this one and all his Commodores hits. I do like his solo songs, but my favorites are definitely the songs with the Commodores.

[@DianaJG8]

You had to ask? The 70's are ALWAYS the BEST! 😊

[@carolegrafton5748]

Sail On. Sail On. (Sail On....)

[@j.w.matney8390]

This came out just as I had been discharged from the Navy. First heard it on KKSF, a jazz station in San Francisco. Loved it then, love it now.

[@itsmadfar]

I just saw a replay of Lionel Ritchie’s induction in the 2022 R&R Hall of Fame. Worth watching. He talked about how, prior to release, his greatest hits were initially met with major skepticism from industry folks who were pressuring him to reproduce his proven formulas of past successes. He always resisted the pressure and marched to the beat of his own drummer into super stardom.

[@Gordy63]

S tier all day, every day! And this is coming from a Stones, Zeppelin, Skynyrd etc. fan.

[@mikaelcarlson555]

Great song. Faith No More does a pretty nice cover.