The Commodores Drop Some Southern Funk on “Gimme My Mule”

In addition to Lionel Richie’s chart-topping ballads, the Commodores were known for Southern-fried funk jams such as “Gimme My Mule," one of the Alabama-bred band’s funkiest releases.

The gutbucket groove is anchored by Ronald LaPread’s insanely funky bassline and boasts a wicked horn arrangement, nasty guitar licks and some sweet clavinet work from Milan Williams. And Richie delivers a raw, earthy lead vocal performance.

The song was written by LaPread, and its title references the unfulfilled promise of "40 acres and a mule" to newly emancipated slaves following the Civil War. It also touches on the virtues of living in a small country town versus the hustle and bustle of the big city.

"Gimme My Mule" was the first single from the band’s third album, Movin’ On, released in 1975.  The song peaked at #11 on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart. The album’s big hit was Richie's soul ballad “Sweet Love,” which climbed to #5 on the U.S. pop charts and #2 on the U.S.  R&B charts.

Following “Gimme My Mule” the Commodores continued to release great funk tracks throughout the mid and late ‘70s, including these groove nuggets: “Fancy Dancer,” “Thumpin’ Music,” “Brick House,” “Funky Situation” and “Too Hot To Trot."