"Early in the Morning" is a song originally performed by The Gap Band, and written by member Charlie Wilson and producers Lonnie Simmons and Rudy Taylor.
| "Early in the Morning" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by The Gap Band | ||||
| from the album Gap Band IV | ||||
| B-side | "I'm in Love" | |||
| Released | April 1982 | |||
| Recorded | 1981–82 | |||
| Genre | Funk | |||
| Length | 3:57 (Single Version) 6:30 (Album Version) | |||
| Label | Total Experience | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| The Gap Band singles chronology | ||||
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Chart performance
editIt was released as a single in 1982 and went on to become their biggest hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 24. It also topped Billboard's R&B chart for three weeks[2] and reached number 13 on the dance chart.[3]
Chart positions
edit| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Dance Club Songs | 13 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 24 |
| US Billboard Hot Black Singles | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart[4] | 55 |
Cover versions
edit- The song was a hit again when Robert Palmer covered it in 1988. This version peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is to date the highest charting version of the song on that chart.[5] Cash Box said that Palmer "creates a Volga River Boatman-like chorus that clearly illustrates his image of early morning loneliness."[6]
Popular culture
edit- The song was used as the music for a film-making montage in Michel Gondry's 2008 film, Be Kind Rewind.
- Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl credits the song "Early in the Morning" for inspiring the drum intro on their hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit."[7]
References
edit- ^ "discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 223.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 107.
- ^ "Early in the morning | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 479.
- ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. October 15, 1988. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
- ^ "Dave Grohl Inspired By Disco Drum Beats". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2 July 2021.