"Early in the Morning" is a song originally performed by
The Gap Band
The Gap Band was an American R&B and funk band that rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s. The band consisted of three brothers: Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson, along with other members; it was named after streets (Greenwood, Archer, and ...
, and written by member
Charlie Wilson and producers Lonnie Simmons and Rudy Taylor.
Chart performance
It 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, and also topped Billboard's R&B chart for three weeks. The single also peaked at number 13 on the dance charts.
Chart positions
Cover versions
*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. ''
Cash Box'' said that Palmer "creates a
Volga River
The Volga (; russian: Во́лга, a=Ru-Волга.ogg, p=ˈvoɫɡə) is the longest river in Europe. Situated in Russia, it flows through Central Russia to Southern Russia and into the Caspian Sea. The Volga has a length of , and a catchme ...
Boatman-like chorus that clearly illustrates his image of early morning loneliness."
Popular culture
*The song was used as the music for a film-making montage in Michel Gondry's 2008 film, ''
Be Kind Rewind
''Be Kind Rewind'' is a 2008 buddy comedy film written and directed by Michel Gondry, and starring Jack Black, Mos Def, Melonie Diaz, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow and Sigourney Weaver. The film first appeared on January 20, 2008 at the 2008 Sund ...
''.
*
Nirvana
( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lampRichard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.' ...
drummer
Dave Grohl credits the song "Early in the Morning" for inspiring the drum intro on their hit "
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, ''Nevermind'' (1991), released on DGC Records. The unexpected success of the song propelled ''Neve ...
."
References
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1982 singles
1988 singles
The Gap Band songs
Robert Palmer (singer) songs
Songs written by Charlie Wilson (singer)
Songs written by Lonnie Simmons
Songs written by Rudy Taylor
1982 songs