Happy birthday to 80s music legend Lionel Richie! His catalog is packed full of musical gems; it’s some of the greatest music ever recorded.
Instead of the typical top 5 list, I will feature some less-than-common Lionel hits and why they’re my favorites!
- “My Love” - If you haven’t heard this song in a while, I challenge you to listen again. It has one of the most compelling hooks of the 80s music era. Did you know that the background vocals were sung by country megastar Kenny Rogers? If that song were released today, no doubt it would be a #1 country hit. The song is pure bliss.
- “Running with the Night” - another masterpiece. The song is usually associated with softer adult contemporary music, but make no mistake, it contains some of the most rockin’ guitar solos I’ve heard. The long version of the song is even better.
- “Say You, Say Me” - This song was the love theme of the 1985 film “White Nights,” starring Gregory Hines. I love ballads that grow in emotion to a crescendo, and this song delivers. The buildup is fantastic, and his voice was made for this record.
- “Deep River Woman” - The old question, is Lionel more country, pop, or R&B? I think he’s a master at all three genres. Deep River Woman is his duet with the country band Alabama and was a top 10 country hit. By the way, Stuck on You was also a top 30 country song as well.
- “Truly” - This was Lionel’s first #1 solo hit. (He did hit #1 with the Commodores and also with Diana Ross but this was his first solo.) I hate to dump so many ballads on this list, but they’re all so wonderful.
Happy Birthday, Lionel!
