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Lionel Richie’s career took root in Tuskegee, Alabama, where his early fascination with music began shaping a life defined by melody, charisma, and an exceptional talent for songwriting. Richie first caught public attention as a key member of the Commodores, a dynamic group that formed in the late 1960s at Tuskegee Institute. The band initially thrived on upbeat funk hits like “Brick House” and “Machine Gun,” showcasing Richie’s versatility. However, as Richie gradually became the group’s central songwriter, the Commodores pivoted toward soulful ballads, including timeless hits like “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Sail On,” which showcased his gift for emotional resonance and melodic beauty.
Richie embarked on a solo career in 1982, releasing his self-titled debut album, Lionel Richie, which became a massive commercial success. The record spawned several hit singles, notably “Truly,” which soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This immediate triumph established Richie firmly as a standout solo artist, marking a clear path for the astounding career ahead.
His follow-up album, Can’t Slow Down (1983), solidified Richie’s status as a global superstar. The album was certified Diamond in the United States, driven by a relentless wave of hits including “All Night Long (All Night),” “Hello,” and “Stuck on You.” Richie’s blend of pop sensibility, R&B warmth, and Caribbean rhythms broadened his appeal significantly, resulting in numerous accolades, including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1985, further attesting to his massive influence.
Lionel Richie continued his dominance with the 1986 album Dancing on the Ceiling. Its title track became a pop-culture phenomenon, supported by a memorable video that became a staple on MTV. The album also featured the heartfelt “Say You, Say Me,” which earned Richie both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, as it was prominently featured in the film White Nights. This remarkable crossover into cinema further enhanced Richie’s visibility as a multifaceted entertainer.
Throughout his career, Lionel Richie has released ten studio albums, including landmark works such as Louder Than Words (1996), Renaissance (2000), Just for You (2004), Coming Home (2006), and Tuskegee (2012), which celebrated his musical roots with country-infused reinterpretations of his greatest hits, collaborating with artists like Kenny Rogers, Blake Shelton, and Willie Nelson. Tuskegee was especially successful, topping the Billboard 200 chart and showcasing Richie’s enduring cross-genre popularity.
Beyond his impressive discography, Richie is revered for his philanthropic work and significant contributions to humanitarian causes. Notably, he co-wrote the iconic charity anthem “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson in 1985. This project, recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa, raised millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia, demonstrating Richie’s commitment to global issues beyond his own artistic endeavors.
Richie’s numerous honors reflect his widespread influence and enduring legacy. His trophy cabinet includes multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and the aforementioned Academy Award. Richie was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994, a recognition highlighting his exceptional talent in crafting memorable songs that have deeply resonated across generations. Furthermore, he was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017, underscoring the widespread appreciation for his lifetime contributions to the arts.
In recent years, Richie has remained prominently in the public eye through his role as a beloved judge on the rebooted American Idol television series since 2018. His genuine warmth, wisdom, and engaging personality have endeared him to newer audiences, affirming his role as a cultural icon whose impact reaches beyond music into mainstream media and popular culture.
Complete List Of Lionel Richie Songs From A to Z
- All Around the World – Coming Home – 2006
- All Night Long (with Jimmy Buffett and Coral Reefer Band) – Tuskegee – 2012
- All Night Long (All Night) – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- All Night Long (All Night) (12″ version) – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- All Night Long (All Night) (12″ B-side instrumental version) – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Amo, T’Amo, Ti Amo – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Angel (Metro Mix Album Version) – Renaissance – 2000
- Angel (Boogieman Remix Extended) – Renaissance – 2000
- Angel (with Pixie Lott) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Ballerina Girl – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Can’t Get Over You – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Can’t Slow Down – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Change – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Cinderella – Renaissance – 2000
- The Closest Thing to Heaven – Time – 1998
- Climbing – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Dance for the World – Just for You – 2004
- Dance the Night Away – Renaissance – 2000
- Dancing on the Ceiling – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Dancing on the Ceiling (12-inch version) – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Dancing on the Ceiling (with Rascal Flatts) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Deep River Woman – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Deep River Woman (with Little Big Town) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Don’t Stop – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Don’t Stop – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Don’t Stop the Music – Renaissance – 2000
- Don’t Wanna Lose You – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Don’t You Ever Go Away – Renaissance – 2000
- Do Ya (duet with Daniel Bedingfield) – Just for You – 2004
- Easy (with Willie Nelson) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Endless Love (solo demo) – Lionel Richie – 1982
- Endless Love (with Shania Twain) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Eternity – Just Go – 2009
- Everytime – Time – 1998
- Face in the Crowd (with Trijntje Oosterhuis) – Just Go – 2009
- Forever – Time – 1998
- Forever – Just Go – 2009
- Forever and a Day – Just Go – 2009
- Good Morning – Just Go – 2009
- Heaven – Just for You – 2004
- Hello – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Hello (with Jennifer Nettles) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Here Is My Heart – Renaissance – 2000
- How Long – Renaissance – 2000
- I Apologize – Coming Home – 2006
- I Call It Love – Coming Home – 2006
- I Hear Your Voice – Time – 1998
- I Love You – Coming Home – 2006
- I’m Coming Home – Coming Home – 2006
- I’m in Love – Just Go – 2009
- I’m Missing Her – Coming Home – 2006
- I’m Not Okay – Just Go – 2009
- I Still Believe – Just for You – 2004
- I Wanna Take You Down – Louder Than Words – 1996
- In My Dreams – Just for You – 2004
- Into You Deep – Just Go – 2009
- It May Be the Water – Renaissance – 2000
- Just Can’t Say Goodbye – Renaissance – 2000
- Just for You – Just for You – 2004
- Just for You (with Billy Currington) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Just Go (featuring Akon) – Just Go – 2009
- Just Put Some Love in Your Heart – Lionel Richie – 1982
- Just to Be with You Again – Just for You – 2004
- Lady – Time – 1998
- Lady (with Kenny Rogers) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Long Long Way to Go – Just for You – 2004
- Love Will Conquer All – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Love Will Conquer All (Remix by Shep Pettibone) – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Love Will Find a Way – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Lovers at First Sight – Louder Than Words – 1996
- My Love – Lionel Richie – 1982
- My Love (with Kenny Chesney) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Night Train (Smooth Alligator) – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Nothing Else Matters – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Nothing Left to Give (featuring Akon) – Just Go – 2009
- Now You’re Gone – Louder Than Words – 1996
- The Only One – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- One World – Just for You – 2004
- Ordinary Girl – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Out of My Head – Coming Home – 2006
- Outrageous – Just for You – 2004
- Paradise – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Pastime – Just Go – 2009
- Penny Lover – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Penny Lover (7″ single remix) – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Piece of Love – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Piece of My Heart – Renaissance – 2000
- Reason to Believe – Coming Home – 2006
- Road to Heaven – Just for You – 2004
- Round and Round – Lionel Richie – 1982
- Running with the Night – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Running with the Night (12″ B-side instrumental version) – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Sail On (with Tim McGraw) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Say I Do – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Say You, Say Me – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Say You, Say Me (with Jason Aldean) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Se La – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Se La (12-inch remix by Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero) – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- Serves You Right – Lionel Richie – 1982
- She’s Amazing – Just for You – 2004
- Someday – Time – 1998
- Somewhere in London – Just Go – 2009
- Stand Down – Coming Home – 2006
- Stay – Time – 1998
- Still in Love – Louder Than Words – 1996
- Stuck on You – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
- Stuck on You (with Darius Rucker) – Tuskegee – 2012
- Sweet Vacation – Coming Home – 2006
- Tell Me – Lionel Richie – 1982
- Tender Heart – Renaissance – 2000
- (That’s) The Way I Feel – Time – 1998
- Think of You – Just Go – 2009
- Through My Eyes – Just Go – 2009
- Time – Time – 1998
- Time of Our Life (featuring Lenny Kravitz) – Just for You – 2004
- Tonight – Renaissance – 2000
- Tonight Will Be Alright – Dancing on the Ceiling – 1986
- To the Rhythm – Time – 1998
- Touch – Time – 1998
- Truly – Lionel Richie – 1982
- Up All Night – Coming Home – 2006
- Wandering Stranger – Lionel Richie – 1982
- Wasted Time – Renaissance – 2000
- What Do They Know – Louder Than Words – 1996
- What You Are – Coming Home – 2006
- Why – Coming Home – 2006
- The World Is a Party – Just for You – 2004
- You Are – Lionel Richie – 1982
- You Are (instrumental) – Lionel Richie – 1982
- You Are (with Blake Shelton) – Tuskegee – 2012
- You Mean More to Me – Lionel Richie – 1982
- Zoomin’ – Time – 1998
Albums
Lionel Richie (1982)
Can’t Slow Down (1983)
Dancing on the Ceiling (1986)
Louder Than Words (1996)
Time (1998)
Renaissance (2000)
Just for You (2004)
Coming Home (2006)
Just Go (2009)
Tuskegee (2012)
Complete List of Lionel Richie Songs From A to Z presents every officially released Lionel Richie song alphabetically with album details.
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Lionel Richie articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Complete List Of Lionel Richie Albums And Discography
Top 10 Lionel Richie Songs
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