"Early in the Morning" is a song originally performed by

The Gap Band The Gap Band was an American Contemporary R&B, R&B and funk band that rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s. The band consisted of three brothers: Charlie Wilson (musician), Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson, along with other members; it wa ...

, 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. It also topped Billboard's R&B chart for three weeks and reached number 13 on the dance chart.

Chart positions

Cover versions

*The song was a hit again when

Robert Palmer Robert Allen Palmer (19 January 1949 – 26 September 2003) was an English singer and songwriter. He was known for his powerful and soulful voice, sartorial elegance and stylistic explorations, combining soul, funk, jazz, rock, pop, regga ...

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 ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', is an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' said that Palmer "creates a

Volga River The Volga (, ) is the longest river in Europe and the longest endorheic basin river in the world. Situated in Russia, it flows through Central Russia to Southern Russia and into the Caspian Sea. The Volga has a length of , and a catchment ...

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, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow, and Melonie Diaz with supporting roles done by Chandler Parker, Irv Gooch, Arjay Smith, Marcus Ca ...

''. *

Nirvana Nirvana, in the Indian religions (Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism), is the concept of an individual's passions being extinguished as the ultimate state of salvation, release, or liberation from suffering ('' duḥkha'') and from the ...

drummer

Dave Grohl David Eric Grohl (; born January 14, 1969) is an American musician. He founded the rock band Foo Fighters, of which he is the lead singer, guitarist, principal songwriter, and only consistent member. From 1990 to 1994, he was the drummer of th ...

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. Having sold over 13 million units worldwide, it i ...

References

External links

* {{authority control 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 Total Experience Records singles