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Written by Commodores band members Lionel Richie, Ronald LaPread, Walter “Clyde” Orange, and Milan Williams, the lyrics praise a woman who defies stereotypes with her curvy figure and unapologetic attitude. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs). This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne.
Brick House – Commodores Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
The song’s underlying themes are universally relatable, allowing it to transcend generations. Furthermore, its inclusion in various films, television shows, and commercials has helped cement its place in popular culture. As a funk band, Commodores were known for synthesizing elements of rock, jazz, and soul into a unique sound that was all their own.
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In 2003, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a testament to its enduring popularity and cultural impact. Its funky groove and uplifting lyrics have secured its place as one of the greatest funk anthems of all time. The lyrics “She’s a brick house” act as a metaphor to describe a person’s physical and emotional strength. It implies that the person being referred to possesses a solid foundation and unshakeable confidence. The phrase highlights the importance of inner strength and resilience in the face of external challenges.
Can you explain the significance of the lyrics “She’s a brick house”?
It reflects the band’s personal journey of embracing their individuality and celebrating their success, urging listeners to do the same. The song Brickhouse was written by the members of the Commodores, primarily William “Smokey” Robinson, Ronald LaPread, and Walter Orange. These talented musicians co-wrote the track, infusing it with their creativity and musical prowess. The advice to live each day to its fullest can seem like a cliché, but figuring out how to actually do that can be pretty challenging.
Behind Brick Walls: PBK Hall and… the Music Building? - The Flat Hat
Behind Brick Walls: PBK Hall and… the Music Building?.
Posted: Tue, 29 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The song features powerful horns, tight rhythm guitar, and a memorable bassline that has been sampled by countless other artists over the years. The track’s energy and syncopation are a testament to the band’s skills as musicians, and it’s no surprise that it catapulted them to mainstream success soon after its release. The song’s message of empowerment and pride in Black female beauty is emblematic of the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and 70s.
Brickhouse, the iconic funk song released by the Commodores in 1977, carries a powerful message that resonates with listeners even decades later. This infectious track is a celebration of self-confidence, individuality, and the beauty found within all body types. With its catchy rhythm and memorable lyrics, Brickhouse has become an anthem for embracing one’s true self and celebrating diversity. The song’s immense success not only solidified their place in music history but also opened doors for the band to explore and experiment with their sound. It served as a launching pad for their future chart-topping hits and established them as one of the most influential funk bands of the era.
Yee yee! We've found 7,032 lyrics and 127 artists matching brick house.
Brick House was the last song recorded for the Commodores album, and released after Easy. Yet, it was Easy – along with the success of Sweet Love and Just To Be Close To You in 1976 – that showed where the group was heading. Geffen Records made history on June 27, 1994 when Aerosmith's "Head First" became the first major label song made available for exclusive digital download. Download speeds at the time were so slow it took around 75 minutes to download the track.
The Meaning Behind The Song: Brickhouse by Commodores
The song's popularity even spawned a beauty contest of sorts that followed the Commodores as they travelled the globe giving concerts. The band would choose a lucky winner at each tour stop, who would henceforth be named the Miss Brickhouse of that locale. At its core, “Brick House” is a celebration of Black women’s beauty and a rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards.
What are some notable covers or adaptations of Brickhouse?
Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag. The first US Top 10 hit with the word "hell" in the title was "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects in 2008. The Commodores drew inspiration for Brickhouse from the experiences and emotions they encountered during their rise to fame.
Despite the rise to ubiquity of the classic tune, the story of its creation is a humble one that serves as a reminder of the power of creativity, musical chemistry and hard work, with a heaping serving of swagger. Old Time Music is proud to have such a passionate and talented team of writers who share their love for music with our readers. "And they sure enough did because that was the biggest commercial song ever been done by the Commodores, 'Brick House.' All that, right here in this building. This is where the magic happened." Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

This is one of those phrases that started off as incredibly rude, and through sheer repetition (and dropping one key word) turned into a compliment. See, the original expression, from early 1900s slang, was built like a brick shithouse. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. More than 800 people attended a 1982 Miss Brickhouse event in Indianapolis, according to the Indianapolis Recorder. Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.
The song went through further tweaks and mastering by engineers and Motown whizzes after that first session, but the band recorded all the main parts that day in Tuskegee, Bailey added. "Brick House" went on to be band's most commercial hit, peaking at #5 on the U.S. charts, but achieving a staying power that would impress even late soul crooner Barry White. Easy pretty much marked the end of funk as they’d played it, as the group worked the Three Times A Lady “Quiet Storm” vein for subsequent hits. Brick House rose from the dead one mo’ time in 2003 when Richie recorded a new version with Rob Zombie for (are you ready for this?) the soundtrack to Zombie’s horror flick, House Of 1000 Corpses. The Commodores’ two highest charting singles of 1977 were drawn from the same album, and represented the two contrasting sounds of the group. Easy looked forward to hits dominated by the smooth crooning of Lionel Richie while Brick House captured the fiery rhythms of their early records and live shows.
The song’s popularity amongst African American audiences further cemented its place as a funk classic that has stood the test of time. Brickhouse played a pivotal role in shaping the funk genre, becoming a blueprint for future funk compositions. Its infectious bassline and energetic horns became signature elements of the genre. The song’s success paved the way for other funk artists and solidified the Commodores’ status as pioneers of funk music.
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