(September 28, 2025) Those of us of a certain age have trouble remembering a time in our lives without the music of The Commodores. Formed by a bunch of Alabama college friends in the late 60s, the group went on to become funk music royalty before a run as the leading purveyors of soulful love songs, launching the career of Lionel Richie in the process.
Earlier this year, longtime Commodores singer J.D. Nicholas announced his retirement, and the final remaining original member, William “WAK” King, recommitted himself to a new version of the group, with Cody and Colin Orange (sons of co-founding member Walter “Clyde” Orange) and veteran R&B singer Brent Carter.
Now, the reconstituted group has returned to the studio, and is preparing a holiday release for 2025. In the meantime, the first Commodores song in over a decade has quietly hit the market. The King-penned wedding ballad, “Always,” landed on Spotify yesterday, an early single from the upcoming soundtrack to the movie Reagan.
Cody Orange handles the lead on the single, which has the feel of mid-80s Commodores sound. Bearing some shades of the group’s post-Richie ballad, “Only You,” “Always” is a unapologetic love song with gentle piano leading into a lightly orchestrated paean to romance.
As we wait for a full holiday release from the new Commodores, check out this pleasant love song.
By Chris Rizik
