Written by Lionel Richie

“Lady” was a 1980 hit by the late country/pop superstar Kenny Rogers (1938-2020). Written and produced by Lionel Richie, “Lady” was the ballad that completed Rogers’ transition from country icon to international pop superstar. The song was originally written by Richie for his former group, The Commodores, but, after they turned it down, he offered “Lady” to Rogers who recorded it with terrific results.

“Lady” became a #1 smash on the Adult Contemporary chart, the Country chart and Billboard’s Hot 100. “Lady” was also ranked at #60 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Of All Time chart. “Lady” was Richie’s first work outside of The Commodores and the song’s huge success gave the gifted pop/R&B singer/songwriter the confidence to start his own triumphant solo career.

In the eighties, David Foster worked with Rogers and Richie co-writing and/or producing material for them including Rogers’ hits “We’ve Got Tonight” and “What About Me” or the beautiful ballad, “The Only One,” for Richie’s multi-platinum Can’t Slow Down album. Those collaborations with The Hitman kept going into the nineties. When Richie decided to record his own version of “Lady” for his 1998 Time album, Foster was the obvious choice to craft the song. This new recording of “Lady” sports an elegant, updated arrangement with every detail in the right place from Richie’s restrained yet effective performance, Foster’s tender piano and lush orchestra plus the all-star backing band featuring session giants John Robinson on drums, Michael Thompson on guitar and Nathan East on bass. Yet, that 1980 Rogers’ original take remains unsurpassed with the strength of its unique dramatic intensity and the trademark sounds of the early eighties.

On Time, Foster also produced a couple of wonderful ballads including “I Hear Your Voice,” co-written with Richie and Diane Warren plus Warren’s “The Closest Thing To Heaven.” Both ballads, plus the songs mentioned in the previous paragraph, have been reviewed here in the past.

Listen

• Lead Vocals: Lionel Richie
• Acoustic Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
• Bass: Nathan East
• Drums: John Robinson
• Guitar: Michael Thompson
• Synthesizer Programming: Felipe Elgueta

• Arranged by David Foster
• Produced by Lionel Richie

Lyrics

Lady
I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am, and
I am yours
My love
There’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more
You have gone and made me such a fool
And I’m so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won’t you believe in my song?
Lady
For so many years
I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and
Made me whole
Forever
Let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly
In my ear
And in my eyes (In my eyes)
I see no one else but you (I see no one else but you)
There’s no other love like our love
And, oh, girl I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long
Lady
Your love’s the only love I need
Oh, and beside me is where
I want you to be (I want you to be)
‘Cause, my love
There’s somethin’ I want you to know
You’re the love of my life
You’re my lady

Written by Diane Warren

When you find a song written by the hit-making pen of Diane Warren, crafted by super-producer David Foster and delivered by the legendary voice of Lionel Richie, good chances are that you are thrown into an elegant adult contemporary heaven. This was the case with “The Closest Thing To Heaven,” a sweet ballad included on the former Commodores singer’s 1998 cd “Time.” “The Closest Thing To Heaven” was a love song that reaffirmed Warren ’s uncommon ability to pair a gorgeous, catchy melody with an irresistible hook that was stuck in your mind the moment you hear it for the first time.

As usual, Foster added his superior musical artistry to increase the level of catchiness with his superb arrangement of acoustic and electric guitars, minimal keyboards and synths. For the occasion, Foster’s usual high-tech production is a bit more restrained with amazing results. The icing on the cake was Richie’s warm baritone slowly dancing on top of Foster’s instrumental background. The singer was second to none when it came to serenading listeners with his familiar voice and he delivered another killer performance. Cool vocal harmonies are a pleasure to the ear and provided with the support of Jeff Pescetto’s smooth tenor voice. The overall result wasn’t far from the successful acoustic soul productions of Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds , another R&B superstar that was crafting around that same time. “The Closest Thing To Heaven” was released as the final single from “Time.” Although it had radio-friendly potential, “The Closest Thing To Heaven” never bloomed into a hit.

“Time” also included “I Hear Your Voice,” a great co-write by Foster, Warren and Richie that was an adult contemporary hit single that year. Previously reviewed, you can read all about “I Hear Your Voice” here.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/the_closest_thing_to_heaven.mp3|titles=The Closest Thing To Heaven|artists=Lionel Richie]

Lead Vocals: Lionel Richie
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: Dean Parks & Michael Thompson
Synthesizers Programming: Felipe Elgueta
Drum Programming: Guy Roche
Backing Vocals: Jeff Pescetto

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

An angels kiss is the kiss you gave to me
An angels touch, has touched my heart
Your love is something, thats truly heavenly
Heaven is here in your arms

I couldn’t sleep at night and then you embraced my life
With your sweet, sexy ways, oh, now I can’t even think
What my life would be, to be without you even one day

You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen

You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are

My happiness is just being next to you
Your tenderness has touched my soul
Never knew someone had so much love for me
I’m never letting you

I thought no one could care, you answered all my prayers
With your sweet, sexy ways, oh, you made my life complete
When you made love to me thats why, I love you more everyday

You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen

You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are

The one love, I need in my life
The one touch, I need in night
You’re the answer to all of my prayers
Promise me you’ll always be there

You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen

You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are

written by Lionel Richie

“Eternity” is an intense composition by R&B legend Lionel Richie. This inspirational anthem is produced by David Foster with Jochem van der Saag and released in 2008 as part of a compilation album entitled “Yes We Can: Voices Of A Grassroots Movement.”

Conceived to celebrate Barack Obama’s new presidency, Richie’s song opens the album that also presents aptly-themed songs by superstars like John Mayer, Kanye West, John Legend and Sheryl Crow. “Eternity” is another winner in Richie’s fantastic songbook sporting a gospel-tinged atmosphere and beautiful melody with Richie’s heartfelt vocal soaring over Foster’s familiar musical background dominated by keyboards and strings. Other highlights on “Yes We Can: Voices Of A Grassroots Movement” are Legend’s cover of U2’s “Pride, In The Name Of Love” and Mayer’s thought-provoking “Waiting On The World To Change.”

“Eternity” is also included on Richie’s 2009 ninth solo album entitled “Just Go.” Given that “Just Go” was made of collaborations with hot new names in Hip-Hop and R&B like Akon and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, “Eternity,” with its classic David Foster touch, gives the listener a welcome taste of the singer’s glorious past.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/eternity.mp3|titles=Eternity|artists=Lionel Richie]

Lead Vocals: Lionel Richie
Keyboards: David Foster
Synthesizer & Programming: Jochem van der Saag
Drums: John Robinson
Bass: Nathan East
Guitar: Michael Thompson

String Arrangement by William Ross & David Foster

Produced by David Foster & Jochem van der Saag

Lyrics

There is a place for us, for all the world to see
There is a place out there I know, somewhere, for all eternity.

VERSE 1:
Here we stand all God’s children together, we’re trying to see where we belong. With hills and valleys to conquer, it’s time we whether the storm. Everybody’s looking for something, something they can hold onto. We’re lost in a sea of confusion. It’s hard to know what to do.

CHORUS:
There is a place for us, for all the world to see. There is a place out there I know, for all eternity.

VERSE 2:
Where do we go, tell me sisters and brothers. How much for what we do to be right? It’s time that we look in the mirror. It’s time that we see the same light. I know everybody’s searching now. Why can’t just all get along? It’s time that we all come together. It’s time that we sing the same song.

CHORUS:
There is a place for us, for all the world to see. There is a place out there I know, for all eternity.

BRIDGE:
Whoa, yes {Oh, yes, oh yes}! The sun will shine oh… {I know, I know} For all mankind oh {for all mankind}. Where we can find love oh love!

(LITTLE CHILDREN):
There is a place for us, for all the world to see. There is a place out there I know, {Lionel Richie}for all eternity.

CHORUS:
There is a place for us, for all the world to see. There is a place out there, I know, for all eternity.
There is a place for us, for all the world to see. There is a place, I know, for all eter… eternity… eter… eternity… eter… eternity…
{Lionel Richie} For all eternity

“Louder Than Words,” released in 1996, was Lionel Richie’s comeback album after a long period of inactivity due to personal issues. The veteran pop/r&b superstar who wrote and sang  evergreens like “Hello,” “All Night Long” and “Endless Love” gave audiences an interesting new album that was sheer evidence that his talent was still intact.

The bulk of “Louder Than Words” was produced by Richie with longtime collaborator James Anthony Carmichael and relies on his well dosed pop/adult contemporary sounds but it also ventured into the trendy r&b atmospheres of the nineties with hip music makers like Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Babyface.
“Louder Than Words” includes wonderful jazzy moments like the opener “Piece Of Love” and the sumptuous ballad, “Lovers At First Sight.” Jam & Lewis best offerings are the up-tempo “I Wanna Take You Down” and the hit ballad “I Don’t Wanna Lose You.” There’s a track, “Still In Love” that echoes Richie’s successful work with Kenny Rogers and another sweet ballad, “Nothing Else Matters.” The closing number, “Climbing” is an epic pop/rock ballad co-produced with David Foster. “Climbing” is an allstar affair given the presence of David Paich, Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro and the late Jeff Porcaro of Toto plus other session legends like Dean Parks, Randy Jackson and Michel Thompson. This song has an interesting developing with rhythm changes and fantastic arrangements courtesy of Paich, Steve Porcaro and Jeremy Lubbock. Foster’s production is pristine and top notch and the whole track is a perfect blend of pop/rock and orchestral breaks that have traces of Foster’s work on “The Symphony Sessions.” “Louder Than Words” was certified gold and overall it was a good return to form for Riche.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/climbing.mp3|titles=Climbing|artists=Lionel Richie]

Lead Vocals: Lionel Richie
Drums: Jeff Porcaro
Bass: Randy Jackson
Guitar: Steve Lukather, Michael Thompson & Dean Parks
Acoustic Piano: Lionel Richie
Keyboards: David Paich
Synthesizers: Steve Porcaro, Claude Gaudette & Bill Ross
Percussion: Michael Fisher
Programming: Steve Porcaro & Tony Smith

Rhythm Arrangement by David Paich & Steve Porcaro
Strings Arranged And Conducted by Jeremy Lubbock

Produced by Lionel Richie & David Foster

Climbing to the top
I’ll tell you anything you want
We’re on this planetary journey to a place beyond
The independent minds will tell you
The colors you should wear
But know the game of life
Is just a game of solitaire

Climbing to the top
The ones you love will come and go
When you lose you sacrifice
Chasing the rainbow
And if you should climb this magic ladder
The story will unfold
Just remember when you reach the top
All that glitters is not gold

Time, just take the time
What you think is what you find
You know the answers
You’re no ordinary dancer
Face the changes you go through
Have the faith in what you do
You know the answers
You’re no ordinary dancer

Climbing to the top
I’ll tell you anything you want
Were on this planetary journey
To a place beyond
You can climb the highest mountain
Swim the deepest seas
The only thing that matters
Is you will find your destiny

You know the answers
You’re no ordinary dancer

Climbing to the top
I’ll tell you anything you want
You’re on an imaginary journey
To a place beyond
You can climb the highest mountain
Swim the deepest seas
The only thing that matters
Is you will find your destiny

“Time,” released in the summer of 1998, was Lionel Richie’s attempt to update his trademark sound for the nineties. The result was quite satisfying. He opened this album with an elegant, light funk offering called “Zoomin’,” co-written with his old partner James Anthony Carmichael. The second track, “I Hear Your Voice,” is a bittersweet ballad co-written, produced and arranged by Richie’s friend, David Foster. Tender and lush, this song is enriched by one evocative refrain and is absolute bliss for listeners. “I Hear Your Voice” made # 15 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
The rest of “Time” is made of many sweet ballads that Richie delivers with his usual class plus a few attempts at some light hip-hop like “To The Rhythm,” “Stay The Night,” and “Someday.” Richie is in fine form vocally throughout the record and it shows on the David Foster produced and Diane Warren composed acoustic ballad, “Closest Thing To Heaven.”
There’s a third Foster/Richie collaboration on the album reworking “Lady,” one of the biggest hits of Richie’s songwriting career and a # 1 hit for Kenny Rogers back in the seventies. Foster updated the arrangement without losing one moment of the original’s magic. It definitely ends the album on a high note.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_hear_your_voice.mp3|titles=I hear your voice|artists=Lionel Richie]

Lead Vocal: Lionel Richie
Drums: John Robinson
Keyboards: David Foster
Synth Programming: Felipe Elgueta
Guitar: Dean Parks
Backing Vocals: Sherrie Woodward
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Strings Arranged by David Foster & William Ross

Lyrics

So many nights thought that I was doing fine
thought that time had chased your picture from my mind
so many times thought my heart was finally strong
now I find this heart of mine was so wrong
I thought I’d finally learned to get on with my life
then it all comes back

I hear your voice-(call)
your voice (call)
your voice (call)
the way it used to do
I feel my heart (fall)
my heart (fall)
I try to keep you off my mind
but every time I do, I hear your voice

So many days I thought that I could love again
but any fool in love would know that’s all pretend
you, you always seem to find your way
back in my dreams and I can’t break free

Chorus

You know I tried so many times just to forget you
I’ve tried to walk away from you
Oh girl, it’s just no use

I hear your voice (call)
your voice (call)
your voice (call)
Calling me.. calling me the way…
I feel my heart (fall)
oh, my heart (fall)
I try to keep you off my mind
but every time I do,
I hear your voice
I hear your voice
I hear your voice