Brick House is a 1977 funk song by the Commodores, led by Lionel Richie. It is one of the most recognizable tracks of the disco era, built on a heavy bassline, horn section, and a celebration of a woman who is strong, confident, and physically imposing—built like a brick house, in the words of the chorus. The phrase has since entered the lexicon as a compliment to women with curvy, sturdy bodies, though its use is sometimes debated as objectifying.
Definition
Brick House is a 1977 song by the Commodores. The phrase “built like a brick house” describes a woman with a strong, curvy physique—implying solid construction, durability, and physical presence. The song is a funk anthem and a staple of wedding receptions, sports arenas, and film soundtracks.
Why It Matters
Brick House matters because it is one of the great body-positive anthems of the 1970s, before the term existed. It celebrates a woman who is not thin, not fragile, and not passive. She is built, solid, and undeniable. The song has been sampled, covered, and referenced in countless contexts. It is also a cultural touchstone for discussions about body image: some hear it as empowerment, others as objectification. Both readings are valid, and the tension between them is part of the song’s enduring relevance.
Example
A DJ, at a wedding, plays the opening bassline of Brick House. The dance floor erupts. A grandmother and a teenager dance side by side, both knowing every word. That is the power of the song: it transcends generations.
Internet Angle
On TikTok and Instagram, Brick House is used as a soundtrack for body-positive content, workout videos, and fashion posts. The phrase “built like a brick house” appears in comments celebrating curvy bodies. It also appears in memes and ironic contexts: a photo of a sturdy building captioned “she’s a brick house.” The song has become a shorthand for a specific aesthetic—strong, confident, unapologetically present.
Related Terms
- Commodores — the funk band that recorded Brick House
- Lionel Richie — the band’s lead singer and co-writer of the song
- Funk — the musical genre that Brick House exemplifies
- Body positivity — the movement that has reclaimed the song’s message
- Curvy — the body type the song celebrates
- 1970s music — the era that produced Brick House and its aesthetic
- Wedding reception anthem — the context where the song is most often played