Can't Slow Down
Studio album by
Lionel Richie
ReleasedOctober 14, 1983
RecordedMarch–September 1983
StudioSunset Sound and Ocean Way, Los Angeles; mixed at Motown Recording, Los Angeles[1]
Genre
Length40:56
LabelMotown
Producer
Lionel Richie chronology
Lionel Richie
(1982)		 Can't Slow Down
(1983)		 Dancing on the Ceiling
(1986)
Singles from Can't Slow Down
  1. "All Night Long (All Night)"
    Released: August 1983
  2. "Running with the Night"
    Released: November 1983
  3. "Hello"
    Released: February 1984
  4. "Stuck on You"
    Released: June 1984
  5. "Penny Lover"
    Released: September 1984

Can't Slow Down is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Lionel Richie. It was released on October 14, 1983, by Motown Records.[4]

Can't Slow Down has been certified Diamond by the RIAA, selling over 10 million copies[5] in the United States and over 20 million copies worldwide, making it Richie's best-selling album, and one of the best-selling albums of the 1980's. Five singles were released from the album, all of which hit the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including two that reached No. 1: "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Hello". The album subsequently won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Robert ChristgauB+[2]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[7]
Rolling Stone[8]

In a contemporary review for The Village Voice, music critic Robert Christgau gave the album a "B+" and called it a "surprisingly solid" improvement, particularly with respect to Richie's ballad singing. He felt that its "jumpy international dance-pop" suited Richie more than the Commodores' funk had and predicted that, considering his "well-established appeal to white people," Can't Slow Down had the potential to become a "mini-Thriller".[2] Don Shewey of Rolling Stone magazine gave the album four out of five stars and said that, although the ballads were monotonous, Richie successfully broadened his music for different listeners and drew on contemporary artists such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson: "if you can't innovate, imitate. And the more honest they are about their sources, the better."[8]

In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it four-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that Richie took a conservative, melodic hook-based approach on an album whose hits showed him at his best and whose only weakness was a short running time.[6] In 1999, Q magazine included Can't Slow Down on its list of the best Motown records of all time and stated, "Production values are high, his songwriting craft is at its peak and at least one track – the global smash 'All Night Long' – is an anthem to good times that makes the heart sing and feet twitch".[9]

In an unprecedented snub, Can't Slow Down was left out of Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Best Albums of the Eighties", despite the album winning a Grammy award for Album of the Year in 1985.

Commercial performance and re-releases

Richie in 1984. Can't Slow Down went on to win Album of the Year at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985, and remains one of the best-selling albums of the 1980s.

The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.[10] It also spent 59 consecutive weeks inside the Top 10 (including the entire year of 1984) and a total of 160 weeks (over three years) on the Billboard 200. After being the third best-selling album of 1984, it went on to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1985, beating out such heavyweight contenders as Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen and Purple Rain by Prince. By 1986 the album had sold 15 million copies,[11] eventually selling over 20 million.[12]

Can't Slow Down achieved the feat of having every single released hit the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Two songs, "Hello" and "All Night Long (All Night)", both went to #1. Other hits include "Stuck on You" (US #3), "Running With the Night" (US #7), and "Penny Lover" (US #8). The ballad "The Only One" was a significant song from the album which was never released as a single, yet remains a popular staple of Richie's live performances.

The single "Stuck on You" also reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart (now Hot Country Songs).

On May 6, 2003, a two-CD deluxe edition of the album was released in conjunction of the 20th anniversary of the album's original release date. This version included several mixes originally included on various singles from the album at the end of the first CD, including instrumental versions of the 12-inch extended mixes of "All Night Long (All Night)" and "Running with the Night". Disc 2 showcased demo or alternate versions of all tracks from the original album, plus additional unfinished songs from the same sessions, all previously unreleased.

Track listing

Original album (1983)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Can't Slow Down"Lionel Richie, David Cochrane4:43
2."All Night Long (All Night)"Richie6:25
3."Penny Lover"Richie, Brenda Harvey-Richie5:34
4."Stuck on You"Richie3:13
5."Love Will Find a Way"Richie, Greg Phillinganes6:16
6."The Only One"Richie, David Foster4:21
7."Running with the Night"Richie, Cynthia Weil6:01
8."Hello"Richie4:08
20th anniversary deluxe edition bonus tracks (2003)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
9."All Night Long (All Night)" (12" version)Richie6:42
10."Penny Lover" (7" single remix)Richie, Harvey-Richie3:48
11."All Night Long (All Night)" (12" B-side instrumental version)Richie6:43
12."Running with the Night" (12" B-side instrumental version)Richie, Weil6:57
20th anniversary deluxe edition CD2 (2003)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Can't Slow Down" (Alternate version)Richie, David Cochrane4:55
2."Ain't No Sayin' No" (Unfinished demo)Richie, Phillinganes4:57
3."Tell Me" (Unfinished demo)Richie, Foster4:57
4."All Night Long (All Night)" (Original demo version)Richie7:20
5."Penny Lover" (Alternate version)Richie, Harvey-Richie6:24
6."Stuck on You" (Original demo version)Richie3:00
7."Can't Find Love" (Unfinished demo)Richie5:50
8."Love Will Find a Way" (Original demo version)Richie, Phillinganes6:35
9."The Only One" (Original demo version)Richie, Foster4:28
10."The Groove" (Instrumental interlude)Richie1:15
11."Running with the Night" (Undubbed version)Richie, Weil6:14
12."Hello" (Original demo version)Richie4:26
13."Blues" (Outro) 1:12

Personnel

Credits lifted from the album's liner notes.[13]

Performers and musicians

Chant vocals on "All Night Long"

  • Diane Burt
  • James Anthony Carmichael
  • Melinda Joyce Chatman
  • David Cochrane
  • Dr. Lloyd Byro Greig
  • Calvin Harris
  • Jeanette Hawes
  • Janice Marie Johnson
  • Brenda Harvey-Richie
  • Richard Marx
  • Deborah Joyce Richie
  • Lionel Richie
  • Suzanne Stanford
  • Deborah Thomas

Hoopa Hollers on "All Night Long"

  • Marilyn Ammons
  • Sue Ann Butler
  • Melinda Joyce Chatman
  • Sheldon J. Cohn, Esq.
  • Sandy Dent-Crimmel
  • Ruth Diaz
  • David Egerton
  • Sylvia Genauer
  • Rejauna Lynn Green
  • Gabrielle Greig
  • Sally Greig
  • Tanya Greig
  • Darrell Jones
  • David Malvin
  • Alison Maxwell
  • Jerry Montes
  • John Michael Montes
  • Billy "Bass" Nelson
  • Greg Phillinganes
  • Carlos Rios
  • Suzanne Stanford
  • Randy Stern
  • Wilbert Terrell
  • Susan Wood

Production

  • James Anthony Carmichael – producer (1–5, 7, 8)
  • Lionel Richie – producer (1–5, 7, 8)
  • David Foster – producer (6)
  • Brenda Harvey-Richie – production assistant
  • Melinda Joyce Chatman – production coordinator
  • Calvin Harris – recording and mixing engineer
  • Steve Crimmel – second recording engineer (1–5, 7)
  • David Egerton – second recording engineer (1–5, 7)
  • Mark Ettel – second recording engineer (1–5, 7)
  • Larry Ferguson – recording engineer (6)
  • Humberto Gatica – recording and mixing engineer (6)
  • Terry Christian – second recording engineer (6)
  • Jim Cassell – second recording engineer (8)
  • Jane Clark – additional engineer
  • Fred Law – second mixing
  • Karen Siegel – second mixing
  • David Kraai – technical support
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering at A&M Studios (Hollywood, California)
  • Rita Leigh – creative assistant
  • Johnny Lee – art direction
  • Chris Callis – innerspread photography
  • Greg Gorman – front and back cover photography

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Can't Slow Down
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia — 400,000[41]
Belgium (BEA)[42] 4× Platinum 200,000*
Brazil — 190,000[43]
Canada (Music Canada)[44] Diamond 1,000,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[45] Platinum 50,608[45]
France (SNEP)[46] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[47] Gold 250,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[48] Platinum 20,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[49] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Platinum 15,000^
South Africa — 200,000[51]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[52] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] 3× Platinum 1,891,896[54]
United States (RIAA)[55] Diamond 10,000,000^
Summaries
Worldwide — 20,000,000[12]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down (1984, CD)". Discogs.com. 1984. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Christgau, Robert (December 27, 1983). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Soul Retrospective: Lionel Richie 'Can't Slow Down' – Soul Train". Soul Train.
  4. ↑ "RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America.
  5. ↑ "Lionel Richie: Can't Slow Down". Classic Motown. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  6. 1 2 Allmusic review
  7. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Richie, Lionel". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  8. 1 2 "Lionel Richie". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2007.
  9. ↑ "Best Motown Records of All Time". Q. London: 161. October 1999.
  10. ↑ Album chart positions from allmusic.com Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  11. ↑ Schreiberg, Stu (1986-01-12). "Richie's record rise". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 55. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
  12. 1 2 "Atlanta Magazine Vol. 47, No. 3". Emmis Communications. July 2007. Retrieved 2012-06-08. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. ↑ Can't Slow Down (booklet). Motown. 1983.
  14. ↑ "Cash Box - International Best Sellers" (PDF). Cashbox. 21 July 1984. p. 26. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  15. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  16. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  18. ↑ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. September 9, 1984. p. 17. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Charts.nz – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Lionel Richie | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1983". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  29. 1 2 "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – 1984". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on May 16, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  30. ↑ "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1984". RPM. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1984". Dutch Charts. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  33. ↑ "The Top 50 Albums of 1984". Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1984". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Chart Archive – 1980s Albums". everyhit.com. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  36. ↑ "1984 Billboard Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1984". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1985". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  39. ↑ "1985 Billboard Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  40. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1985". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  41. ↑ Barker, Glenn A. (November 9, 1985). "Majors (Australia Spotlight)". Billboard. p. A-26. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  42. ↑ "International - Brussels" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 16. April 25, 1987. p. 7. Retrieved November 27, 2019 – via American Radio History.
  43. ↑ de Souza, Tarik (August 16, 1986). "A Pedrada do campeão". Jornal do Brasil. p. 35. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Music Canada.
  45. 1 2 "Lionel Richie" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  46. ↑ "French album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in French). InfoDisc. Select LIONEL RICHIE and click OK. 
  47. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lionel Richie; 'Can't Slow Down')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  48. ↑ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1985". IFPI Hong Kong.
  49. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Lional Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 5, 2019. Enter Can't Slow Down in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1984 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  50. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Richie LP Hits Big In South Africa". Billboard. September 13, 1986. Retrieved June 1, 2020 – via Google Books.
  52. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 918. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  53. ↑ "British album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". British Phonographic Industry.
  54. ↑ Harris, Bill (November 17, 2006). "Queen rules – in album sales". Jam!. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  55. ↑ "American album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Recording Industry Association of America.
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