The 2016 Grammy Awards telecast offered a genuinely feel-good moment when they honored Lionel Richie with a tribute performance. It was refreshing to see a living legend celebrated, especially given how often these accolades arrive posthumously. Richie, with his impressive catalog of hits, certainly deserved the recognition. Yet, while his softer ballads like “Hello” and “Say You Say Me” cemented his place in adult contemporary music history, one song choice in the tribute stood out as particularly…funky. That song was “Brick House.”
While Lionel Richie was indeed a vital member of the Commodores when “Brick House” exploded onto the scene from their self-titled 1977 album, it’s a track where his direct influence is arguably less pronounced compared to signature ballads like “Easy” or “Sail On.” Interestingly, the lyrics for this iconic funk groove weren’t even penned by a band member. Shirley Hanna-King, the wife of Commodores’ choreographer William “Wak” King, is credited with writing the words – a fascinating detail we’ll delve into. Adding another layer of separation from Richie’s typical style, “Brick House” is famously sung with the gritty, playful vocals of drummer Walter Orange. In fact, perhaps the only Commodores hit even further removed from Richie’s direct creative touch might be “Night Shift,” recorded after his departure from the group. Including that in the tribute would have truly raised eyebrows!
In the 1970s, many funk bands were expanding their sonic palettes, sometimes blurring the lines of the genre itself. The Commodores expertly navigated this space, straddling the worlds of funk and soul. This duality is evident when you contrast a smooth ballad like “Sail On” with the raw energy of “Brick House.” Kool & The Gang mirrored this evolution, moving from hard-hitting funk anthems like “Hollywood Swinging” and “Jungle Boogie” to the smoother sounds of “Joanna” and “Cherish.”
However, even within the diverse catalogs of the Commodores and Kool & The Gang, “Brick House” remains somewhat unique, particularly in its lyrical content. Depending on your perspective, the phrase “brick house,” a colloquialism for a woman with a robust and sturdy physique, can be interpreted in various ways. It evokes an image of strength and resilience, something immovable and solid. The full phrase, “She’s built like a brick s***house,” while perhaps a bit coarse in its origin, loses its harsher connotations when you consider the playful intent, as Shirley Hanna-King surely did. Over the years, the potentially crude undertones have largely faded, leaving behind a celebration of a woman’s impressive build.
Shirley Hanna-King’s lyrical contribution shares a parallel with Bettye Crutcher, who penned the lyrics for Johnnie Taylor’s Stax hit, “Who’s Making Love.” The key difference is Crutcher received a writing credit, while Hanna-King did not for “Brick House,” despite her significant contribution.
Walter Orange, the lead vocalist of The Commodores on 'Brick House', performing live.
Returning to the Grammy tribute, the question lingers: why “Brick House” to celebrate Lionel Richie? Did the producers overlook the song’s nuances and Richie’s limited involvement in its creation? One might expect the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to possess the resources to delve into the history of such iconic recordings. If they lack access to information about the creative forces behind these songs, it does beg the question of their role as the “National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.” Regardless, Lionel Richie reportedly enjoyed the tribute, which ultimately is a positive outcome.
It’s worth noting that William King and Walter Orange, along with J.D. Nicholas, continue to perform as the Commodores, keeping the legacy of hits like “Brick House” alive. Perhaps the Grammy tribute, even with its slightly curious song choice, served as a reminder of the collective talent within the Commodores and the enduring appeal of this funk classic, even beyond Lionel Richie’s considerable shadow.
