The 2016 Grammy Awards telecast included a tribute to Lionel Richie, a move praised for honoring a living artist, a welcome change from posthumous tributes. Richie’s extensive catalog of hits justified the honor, even if his softer ballads like “Hello” and “Say You Say Me” sometimes overshadow his broader contributions to music. In the 1980s, Richie, alongside Stevie Wonder and DeBarge, kept Motown relevant in pop culture, paving the way for Boyz II Men later in the decade. The Grammy tribute was certainly appropriate and, predictably, featured John Legend, a recurring presence at the awards.
However, the inclusion of “Brick House” in a celebration of Lionel Richie seemed somewhat peculiar. While Richie was indeed a member of the Commodores when the song appeared on their 1977 self-titled album, it’s arguably one of the songs he had the least direct involvement with, compared to his signature ballads like “Easy” or “Sail On.” The lyrics for “Brick House,” though uncredited, were penned by Shirley Hanna-King, the wife of William “Wak” King, the Commodores’ choreographer and a multi-talented instrumentalist. This detail alone separates Lionel from the track’s creation. Further distancing Richie, “Brick House” is sung with the distinctively sly and slightly raunchy vocals of drummer Walter Orange. In fact, arguably the only Commodores hit with even less of Lionel Richie’s direct imprint would be “Night Shift,” which was recorded after his departure from the band. Including that in the tribute would have been truly baffling.
In the mid-1970s, many funk bands were expanding their musical horizons, sometimes blurring the lines of the genre itself. The Commodores expertly navigated the space between funk and soul. This is evident when contrasting a song like “Sail On” with the raw groove of “Brick House.” Kool & The Gang exhibited a similar duality, with high-energy funk anthems like “Hollywood Swinging” and “Jungle Boogie” existing alongside softer tracks such as “Joanna” and “Cherish.”
But even within the diverse catalogs of the Commodores and Kool & The Gang, “Brick House” stands out for its lyrical content. Whether considered a compliment or not, “Brick House” is a rather unique descriptor for a woman. The colloquialism evokes an image of someone robust and sturdy, resilient like a well-built structure. The full phrase, “She’s built like a brick s***house,” while perhaps not the most elegant, conveys a sense of solidness and strength. Shirley Hanna-King, in crafting the lyrics, and listeners over the years, have managed to look past the cruder aspects of the term and appreciate the song’s celebratory nature.
Walter Orange of Commodores
Walter Orange of Commodores performing “Brick House”. Alt text: Walter Orange, drummer and vocalist for The Commodores, performing live, highlighting his role in the iconic “Brick House” song.
This brings us back to the initial question: why did the Grammy tribute organizers select “Brick House” to honor Lionel Richie? Did the producers lack the necessary background knowledge to realize that “Brick House” might not be the most representative song to celebrate Richie’s specific contributions? Shouldn’t the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences have access to the information detailing the creative responsibilities behind iconic recordings? If not, one might question their authority as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Regardless of these questions, Lionel Richie reportedly enjoyed the performance, which is ultimately a positive outcome.
It’s worth noting that William King and Walter Orange, along with J.D. Nicholas, continue to perform as the Commodores. Acknowledging their central roles in the creation and performance of “Brick House” seems a fitting tribute to the song’s true origins.
