dutch charts

Song Sunday: Sail On (Commodores)

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Commodores Pinterest Image
Image Credit: Pinterest

Returning to my Samsung playlist…submitted for your approval. ~Vic

“I know it’s a shame but, I’m giving you back your name…”

Written by Lionel Richie and, produced by James Anthony Carmichael & the Comodores, this was released on July 27, 1979. I was 12 years old and it was the summer before 8th grade. I loved it as soon as I heard it on the radio.

The 8th track from the album Midnight Magic, it was the first single released from the album and it entered the Hot 100 on August 11, peaking at #4. It did very well in the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK. Richie re-recorded the song with Tim McGraw for his tenth album Tuskegee.

Additional:
The Commodores~Sail On (Saved on the Internet Archive)
Cash Box: A Sparkling Ballad (World Radio History/August 11, 1979)
Billboard: A Surprising Country Flavored Ballad (World Radio History/August 11, 1979)
Record World: A Beautiful Country-Colored Ballad (World Radio History/August 11, 1979)
Real Reason Why Richie Left (Grunge/A. C. Grimes/March 30, 2020)
The Commodores (Encyclopedia of Alabama/Ben Berntson/July 3, 2012)
Commodores Official Website

Lyrics

Full Version

Richie & McGraw