Music
Plus One
The 11 best Lionel Richie songs
Why have a top ten when you can have one more? To celebrate Lionel Richie’s 2025 arena tour, here are his greatest ever songs, ranked…
There was a point during Lionel Richie’s 2015 legends slot at Glastonbury’s hallowed Pyramid Stage where the (then) 66-year-old showman, soul legend and one-time member of iconic funksters the Commodores, looked truly speechless.
Humbled by the size of the crowd, the sea of Richie masks staring back at him, the co-ordinated dance moves (courtesy of security), and the fact that every muddy reveller worth their scrumpy knew the lyrics to his extensive back catalogue, Lionel Richie, it seemed, couldn’t quite believe just how famous he was. That 200,000 people had turned up just to see him.
It was a beautiful, incredibly touching moment. This writer was there, (holding a dear friend upright who’d made her promise: ‘don’t let me pass out during Lionel Richie.’ The joys) and has never forgotten the relentless hits that punished that short setlist. Does Richie have that many bangers? Yes, yes he does.
After forming a succession of R&B groups in the mid 60s, Richie found initial fame in 1968 when he became a singer and saxophonist with the Commodores. Fusing funk and soul, the group had a slew of international hits (some of which we’ve included in this Plus One – sorry, there was no getting around it), the group took a hiatus in 1982 which ultimately encouraged Richie to pursue a solo career. The rest, as they say, is history.
Lionel Richie is widely recognised as one of the best ballad writers in the business, yet his dance tunes always manage to bring the party. Plus, he just seems to be a ridiculously nice, humble and charming man. Thank heavens, then, that he’s returning to British shores this summer for a slew of arena dates. To celebrate, here are his greatest ever hits.* Conga line: assemble…
*with the exception of ‘Brick House‘ by the Commodores, which we felt might be stretching things a little being that Richie doesn’t sing on the original recording. Honourable mention though.
11. ‘Running With The Night‘
(Can’t Slow Down, 1983)
It all starts with a synthy intro. Isn’t it a shame life doesn’t follow suit? Yes, one of the many bangers released from Richie’s multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning 1983 album, Can’t Slow Down, ‘Running With The Night’ has it all: funky bassline, wailing lead guitar, sick backing singers, plus that “‘til the morning light” line is still just absolute fire (if we could insert a flame emoji, we would).
10. ‘My Destiny‘
(Back To Front, 1992)
Richie does 90s, and boy does he do it well. Complete with everything we love about this decade – a gospel choir, funky strings – ‘My Destiny’ feels way more laid-back than Richie’s other ballads, while still retaining some of his unquestionable silky smoothness. If it’s not already on your kitchen disco playlist, click add now.
9. ‘Stuck On You‘
(Can’t Slow Down, 1983)
Lighter crew: where are you? ‘Stuck on You’ has so many elements going on, it’s impossible to get a handle on just how good this song is. It has some Clapton-esque guitar riff, there are country vibes (maybe owed to Richie’s Alabama roots), plus the vocal is so slick it practically melts through your headphones. Get that lighter in the air.
8. ‘Say You, Say Me‘
(Dancing On The Ceiling, 1986)
Richie had an ‘awesome dream’ – that dream was ‘Say You, Say Me’. Despite the fact no one really knows lyrically what this song is about, it still absolutely slaps. Come on, that weird electric bridge, what in the goddamn dancing on the ceiling sequence is going on there? Great for a loud singalong (even though we’re none the wiser), this single is classic Richie.
7. ‘Lady (You Bring Me Up)‘
(In The Pocket, 1981)
Ok, before you start, we know this is a Commodores song – but, come on. It’s ludicrously good, and it happened to be one of the group’s last hits (with Richie on lead vocal) before our boy left to pursue his solo career, and this is a preview of the magnificent songwriting that Richie would go on to achieve.
6. ‘Endless Love‘
(Endless Love O.S.T, 1981)
It’s Lionel Richie. It’s Diana Ross. It’s the duo the world was asking for. It’s the duo that everyone needed. Yes, we know this song has been absolutely rinsed at weddings, in drunken karaoke booths, on Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs (RIP), but it is probably one of the biggest ballads of all time. You just don’t get soul behemoths recording songs like these anymore – which is why everyone needs to just get off their high horse and to bow down to it. ‘Endless Love’ is amazing.
5. ‘Three Times A Lady‘
(Natural High, 1978)
Another Commodores song, but ‘Three Times A Lady’ was written by Richie, so it is 100% deserving of a Plus One ranking. Dedicated to his wife Brenda, this waltz-inspired track has become one of Richie’s most enduring love songs, and was also the first No.1 single for the Commodores on the Billboard 100 (and the first UK top 10 hit). It also launched the band into true pop superstardom. Plus, you can guarantee someone in your family had it as their first dance song, and we’re absolutely here for that.
4. ‘Dancing On The Ceiling‘
(Dancing On The Ceiling, 1986)
There are people that get quite sniffy about ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’ for varying reasons. Well, that’s up to them. We dare anyone, ANYONE, to hear this on a night out and not start throwing down. ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’ is the definition of joy. The definition of dancing like an absolute twat and not caring. It’s pulling your great auntie Barbara up for a boogie at the local working men’s club. It’s cuddling your mate in an Uber while listening to Magic Smooth at 05:00. The world needs more songs like ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’. Yes, even the miserable music snobs.
3. ‘Hello‘
(Can’t Slow Down, 1983)
Ok, so we all know there’s a lot to unpack in the music video for ‘Hello’. Probably too much for this article. However, the song is iconic. Iconic in a way that you can still look up (dramatically) from anything, whatever you’re doing, even making a cuppa, and say: hello? And every single person in the world will know exactly what you’re referencing. In fact, most people (sound people) would answer with: is it me you’re looking for? That, in a world that’s seemingly going to hell in a handbasket, is a very, very powerful thing. Throughout ‘Hello’ Richie has us in the palm of his hand. And you know what, this writer feels very happy being held right there. What a love song. What a legacy.
2. ‘All Night Long (All Night)‘
(Can’t Slow Down, 1983)
There’s a point at any party, whether that’s a family shindig or some fading-light after hours, when ‘All Night Long (All Night)’ is put on and suddenly everyone thinks they can salsa. And it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing. None of us can salsa, but Richie makes us believe that we can, and that’s why ‘All Night Long’ is so incredible. That brass, that percussion, those backing vocals. It’s effortlessly brilliant pop music, and arguably one of the world’s greatest ever party tunes. Fix yourself a pina colada and get on down (shit salsa moves: encouraged).
1. ‘Easy‘
(Commodores, 1977)
Ok. It all comes down to this. Shhh, we know it isn’t a solo Lionel Richie tune, but ‘Easy’ is ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME, and Richie wrote it. So yes, here it is topping the Lionel Richie Plus One. This song is so perfect that trying to describe it just feels like trash words in this writer’s mouth. So rather than me dribble on, wherever you are, flick on ‘Easy’ and lose yourself in its gloriousness. You’re more than welcome.
