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Apr. 27, 2005 Recently, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Sade and Prince have launched successful career "comebacks". (Though in the case of Prince, I wouldn't call it a comeback, but a reintrroduction to his roots). But do you remember the post-Lionel Richie Commodores hit Night Shift? I didn’t get it. I mean, I guess the song was a way to pay homage to Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye and other dead soul singers, but why? I found the song ironic, since their careers died shortly thereafter. Yes, you can still find a Commodores album, but they’re being sold at filling stations, in that 3 for $10 rack--the "Graveyard of restless Soul Musicians". Undeniable career death, pilgrim. Now had “Night Shift” been released a few years ago, it would be relevant in that many artists are selling records after they’ve died. Elvis, Tupac, Biggie, Kenny Rogers…wait a minute, he’s still living—only he sounds dead. Even stranger, in the case of ‘Pac, he’s sold more records since his death than he did while living. Recently Mr. Richie released an album that proved rumors of his career death had not been exaggerated, greatly or otherwise. He failed to see the songwriting on the wall, whose refrain sang like an old Luther Vandross tune: “It’s over now…” It’s time to hang ‘em up, cowboy. And with that in mind, I offer this song, sung to the tune of “Night Shift.” Apologies to Walter “Clyde” Orange et al. Lionel—Lionel What are you doing now? You’ve been down on your luck And your last album sucked… Lionel—O, Lionel You had a string of hits Crossed over to soft rock You won Grammies ga-lore Even though you peddled schlock You were cool / in ’73 With your band mates / friends Now you, too / Find your LPs In discount bins Discount bins Discount bins… Gonna be some sweet sounds / going down On the night shift All of our careers are dead Once Lionel Richie fled From the night shift. ------------ About the author: Timothy Stelly is the 45-year old author of "Tempest In The Stone" and the upcoming, "The Malice of Cain". He resides in Pittsburg, California with his three youngest children Dante, Kimberly and Lawrence. I have a new website: stellbread0.tripod.com Email: stellbread@sbcglobal.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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