Midnight Magic (album)

Midnight Magic
Studio album by Commodores
Released	July 1979
Recorded	1979 at Motown Recording Studios, Los Angeles; A&M Studios, Los Angeles
Genre	R&B, Soul
Length	38:57
Label	Motown
Producer	James Anthony Carmichael, Commodores
Commodores chronology
Greatest Hits (1978) Midnight Magic (1979) Heroes (1980)

Midnight Magic is the seventh studio album by the musical group the Commodores, released in 1979. The album was certified Gold in the UK by the BPI.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Smash Hits	5/10
New York Times	(favourable)

The New York Times stated "the Commodores, too, have their disco‐dance numbers. But this group's principal appeal would seem to be its ability to come up with classy “makeout” music. The new “Midnight Magic,” which is moving up the album charts quickly, will disappoint no one in search of just that. And as usual, the Commodores’ ability to span a wide stylistic range and to avoid some of the more tired cliches of black vocalinstrumental groups is extremely refreshing.

Singles

A song called "Still" became the band's second U.S. #1 single. Another single was the #4 hit "Sail On".

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Gettin' It"	David Cochrane, Walter Orange	4:18
2.	"Midnight Magic"	Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie, Jr.	5:42
3.	"You're Special"	William King, Harold Hudson	5:10
4.	"Still"	Lionel Richie, Jr.	5:51
5.	"Wonderland"	Milan Williams	5:28
6.	"Sexy Lady"	Thomas McClary	3:30
7.	"Lovin' You"	Ronald LaPread	4:36
8.	"Sail On"	Lionel Richie, Jr.	5:43
9.	"12:01 A.M. (Reprise)"	Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie, Jr.	0:59
Total length:			38:57

Personnel

• Lionel Richie – vocals, piano, keyboards, saxophone
• Thomas McClary – vocals, guitar
• Milan Williams – keyboards
• Ronald LaPread – bass guitar
• William King – trumpet
• Walter Orange – drums, vocals

Charting History

Weekly Charts

Chart (1979-1980)	Peak position
Canada Albums	17
Netherlands Chart	9
New Zealand Chart	7
Swedish Albums Chart	44
UK Albums Chart (OCC)	15
'U.S.' Billboard 200	3
'U.S.' Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B	1

Year End Charts

Year End Chart (1979)	Peak position
Billboard R&B	36

Year End Chart (1980)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard 200	22
Billboard R&B	10

Charting Singles

Single	Chart	Position
"Sail On"	Belgium (VRT Top 30)	14
	Canada (RPM)	3
	Ireland Singles Chart	8
	Netherlands Singles Top 100	8
	Official New Zealand Music Chart	6
	UK Singles Chart	8
	U.S.Billboard Hot 100	4
	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	9
	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	8
"Still"	Canada (RPM)	2
	Ireland Singles Chart	3
	Netherlands Singles Top 100	16
	Official New Zealand Music Chart	13
	UK Singles Chart	4
	U.S.Billboard Hot 100	1
	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	6
	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	1
"Wonderland"	Canada (RPM)	70
	UK Singles Chart	40
	U.S.Billboard Hot 100	25
	U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary	43
	U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	21

Certifications

Country	Certification
UK (BPI)	Gold
Holland (NVPI)	Gold

Notes

• A cover version of "Sail On" by Tom Grant was a #16 country hit in 1979. Another cover version of "Sail On" by Destiny's Child that appeared on their eponymous debut album in 1998 and produced by Cory Rooney.