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" Machine Gun ", the instrumental title track from the band's debut album, became a staple at American sporting events, and is similarly featured in many films, including Boogie Nights and Looking for Mr. Goodbar.

It reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975.

Another instrumental, " Cebu " ( named after an island in the Philippines ), later became a staple in the Quiet storm format.

Three albums released in years 1975 and 1976 ( Caught in the Act, Movin ' On, Hot On The Tracks ) are considered the peak of their harder funk period.

After those recordings the group started to move towards a softer sound.

That move was hinted at in their 1976 Top Ten hits " Sweet Love " and " Just to Be Close to You.

" In 1977 the Commodores scored a ballad hit with " Easy ", which became the group's biggest hit yet, reaching No. 4 in the U. S., followed by the funky favorite " Brick House ", also Top 5, both from their landmark album " The Commodores ", as was the utopian album favorite " Zoom ".

After years of toiling in the Top Ten, the group finally reached No. 1 in 1978 with the sweet " Three Times a Lady.

" The year 1979 saw the Commodores score another Top Five ballad hit, " Sail On ", before reaching the top of the charts once again with another ballad, " Still ".

The group had no major hits in 1980, but by 1981 they released two Top Ten hits with " Oh No " (# 4 U. S .) and their first upbeat single in almost five years, " Lady ( You Bring Me Up )" (# 8 U. S .)