Lionel Richie has a voice like a five-star restaurant. It’s of the highest quality and there is something for everyone—that is, if you have good taste. The famed judge on American Idol today was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, and rose to fame and fortune as part of the Motown group the Commodores.
And while he’s written hit songs for other artists, including the Billboard No. 1 hit “Lady” for Kenny Rogers, Richie boasts many a popular track, himself, whether that be as a solo artist or part of his Motown collective. Here below, we wanted to explore three such offerings from the artist. A trio of tracks that have stood the test of time. Indeed, these are three eternal Lionel Richie songs that will always brighten your day.
[RELATED: “Let Me Just Make That Statement Clear”: Lionel Richie Shares the One Thing He Wants Carrie Underwood To Avoid on ‘American Idol’]
“Hello” by Lionel Richie from Can’t Slow Down (1983)
A love song of pure devotion, pure adoration. A love song befitting of the poet Cyrano de Bergerac, who could whisper language that could melt your heart. This track, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is from Richie’s 1983 LP Can’t Slow Down. And it would almost be too saccharine if it wasn’t emanating of the lips of such a pro. The thing that makes it so perfect is that not only is it so passionate for the other person, but that person isn’t really there. The singer is seeking as much as he is alluring. On the song, Richie sings,
Hello!
I’ve just got to let you know
‘Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven’t got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you
Hello!
Is it me you’re looking for?
‘Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven’t got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you
“Easy” by the Commodores from Commodores (1977)
Pretty much everyone on Earth has put this song on at least once on a Sunday morning just to bask and relish in the moment. It’s the perfect song for such a time because it was written specifically for it. But while also celebrating the glory that is Sunday morning, the track is also a love song. It’s about a pair of people who have shared deep times but their future now is a bit unknown. The singer wants to have a life without pain—but will he? On the track, which was released by Richie’s group the Commodores in 1977 and hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, he sings,
Know it sounds funny
But I just can’t stand the pain
Girl, I’m leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me, girl
You know I’ve done all I can
You see, I begged, stole, and I borrowed, yeah, ooh
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
That’s why I’m easy
I’m easy like Sunday morning
“All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie from Can’t Slow Down (1983)
Another track from Richie’s Diamond-selling, Grammy Award-winning 1983 LP Can’t Slow Down, this track might be his most popular. “All Night Long (All Night),” is an up-tempo love song about celebrating and letting your worries and cares go for a spell—and doing so until the sun comes up. With Richie’s golden voice, he entreats you to let loose and have some good old fashion fun. Indeed, on the iconic track, Richie sings,
Da Da, ooooh
Well, my friends, the time has come
To raise the roof and have some fun
Throw away the work to be done
Let the music play on (play on, play on, play on…)
Everybody sing, everybody dance
Lose yourself in wild romance
We’re going to Party, Karamu, Fiesta, forever
Come on and sing along!
We’re going to Party, Karamu, Fiesta, forever
Come on and sing along!
All night long (all night), All night (all night)
All night long (all night), All night (all night)
All night long (all night), All night (all night)
All night long! (all night), Ooh, yeah (all night)
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Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images
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