S.O.D. "Brick House" by The Commodores

2/10/2016     

     This song came about in 1977 during a made up jam. Due to a problem with the studio recording equipment, the band took a break and started an improvised jam.  Bassist Ronald Loprete started things off and the rest of the band joined in.  The bands producer, James Carmichael liked what he heard and urged the band to come up with a song building around the bass riff.  Founding member, choreographer and multi talented musician, William King, took the completed tapes home and played them for his wife, songwriter Shirley Hannah-King.  While her husband was sleeping something inspired her to write lyrics for the tune.  She based these lyrics on modifying the term "built like a brick shit house".  

     The next day the lyrics were sung to the band by William King allowing the band to think he wrote them.  It is actually the drummer, Walter "Clyde" Orange that sings the song on the album.  The Commodores did not realize until several years later that Shirley had actually written the lyrics.  "Brick House" peaked at #5 in the US and #32 in the UK.