The release of this slow country-tinged ballad marked a turning point in the history of the American band Commodores. After the furore that Easy made, the band began to move away from pop music towards funk and recorded several other wonderful compositions in a new style for themselves, which brought them worldwide fame.
On the wave of success, songwriter Lionel Richie went into free swimming and made a dizzying career, finally turning into a superstar.
The history and meaning of the song Easy – Commodores
Many listeners who do not delve into the essence of the text or simply do not know English perceive Easy as a lyrical love song. In fact, it is performed on behalf of a man who is leaving his former lover, which is why he feels great relief.
Describing his emotional state, he draws a parallel with the serene Sunday morning hours. Lionel explained these lines thus:
“As calm as a Sunday morning” refers to everyone who lives in small southern towns. On Saturdays, these southern towns die out at half past eleven in the evening. Everything around is closed. I sort of took it from personal experience – it was Lionel Richie from Tuskegee, Alabama, where there is no such thing as parties until four in the morning.
Spin, 2009
Release and achievements
In March 1977, the composition was released as a single from the Commodores album, which was released on the famous Motown label.
It topped the Billboard R&B chart and climbed to number four on the Hot 100. The song peaked at number nine in the UK.
Easy cover versions
In the early nineties, a cover of Easy was released by Faith No More. Having abandoned the second verse, the musicians, nevertheless, recorded a version of the composition very close to the original. Their single rose high in the charts of different countries. So, his third place in the UK Singles Chart was the highest achievement of the team in the UK. Let’s watch the clip.
Interesting Facts
- The song was featured in a once-popular ad for Levi’s jeans.
- Faith No More released the song in three versions under different names: Easy, I’m Easy and I’m Easy (Cooler Version).
Easy Lyrics
Know it sounds funny
But I just can’t stand the pain
Girl I’m leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me girl
You know I’ve done all I can
You see I begged, stole
And I borrowed
chorus:
Ooh, that’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
Why in the world
Would anyone put chains on me?
I’ve paid my dues to make it
Everybody wants me to be
What they want me to be
I’m not happy when I try to fake it!
No!
I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know
The things I do are right
I wanna be free
Just me babe!
Easy Lyrics
I know it sounds funny
But I just can’t take the pain
Baby, tomorrow I’m leaving you
I think baby
You know I did everything I could
You see, I begged, I stole
And got into debt
Chorus:
Oh that’s why I’m so calm
I’m calm like Sunday morning
That’s why I’m so calm
I’m calm like Sunday morning
Why would
Someone try to put me in chains?
I paid all my bills
Everyone wants me to be
How they want me to be
I’m not at all happy when I try to pretend!
Not!
I want to fly as high as possible
I want to be free and know that my post
the ups are correct
I want to be free
Alone with you, baby!
Song quote
…we love it so much [Easy]. It evokes childhood memories in us.
Billy Gould, Billboard
