Can't Slow Down (Lionel Richie album)

Can't Slow Down is the second solo studio album by American recording artist Lionel Richie. It was released on October 11, 1983 by Motown Records. It has sold over 20 million copies, and is Richie's best-selling album of all time. Five singles were released from Can't Slow Down, 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 also won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1985.

Can't Slow Down
Studio album by Lionel Richie
Released	October 11, 1983
Recorded	March–September 1983
Studio	Sunset Sound and Ocean Way, Los Angeles; mixed at Motown Recording, Los Angeles[1]
Genre	Dance-pop[2] R&B pop[3]
Length	40:56
Label	Motown
Producer	James Anthony Carmichael, Lionel Richie, David Foster
Lionel Richie chronology
Lionel Richie (1982) Can't Slow Down (1983) Dancing on the Ceiling (1986)
Singles from Can't Slow Down
"All Night Long (All Night)" Released: August 31, 1983 "Running with the Night" Released: November 1983 "Hello" Released: February 13, 1984 "Stuck on You" Released: May 1, 1984 "Penny Lover" Released: September 30, 1984

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[4]
Robert Christgau	(B+)[2]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[5]
Rolling Stone	[6]

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."[6]

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.[4] 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".[7]

Commercial performance

The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.[8] 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,[9] eventually selling over 20 million.[10]

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).

20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

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.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Can't Slow Down"	Lionel Richie, David Cochrane	4:43
2.	"All Night Long (All Night)"	Richie	6:25
3.	"Penny Lover"	Richie, Brenda Harvey-Richie	5:34
4.	"Stuck on You"	Richie	3:13
5.	"Love Will Find a Way"	Richie, Greg Phillinganes	6:16
6.	"The Only One"	Richie, David Foster	4:21
7.	"Running with the Night"	Richie, Cynthia Weil	6:01
8.	"Hello"	Richie	4:14

20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks (2003)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
9.	"All Night Long (All Night)" (12" version)	Richie	6:42
10.	"Penny Lover" (7" single remix)	Richie, Harvey-Richie	3:48
11.	"All Night Long (All Night)" (12" B-side instrumental version)	Richie	6:43
12.	"Running with the Night" (12" B-side instrumental version)	Richie, Weil	6:57

20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition CD2 (2003)

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Can't Slow Down" (Alternate version)	Richie, David Cochrane	4:55
2.	"Ain't No Sayin' No" (Unfinished demo)	Richie, Phillinganes	4:57
3.	"Tell Me" (Unfinished demo)	Richie, Foster	4:57
4.	"All Night Long (All Night)" (Original demo version)	Richie	7:20
5.	"Penny Lover" (Alternate version)	Richie, Harvey-Richie	6:24
6.	"Stuck on You" (Original demo version)	Richie	3:00
7.	"Can't Find Love" (Unfinished demo)	Richie	5:50
8.	"Love Will Find a Way" (Original demo version)	Richie, Phillinganes	6:35
9.	"The Only One" (Original demo version)	Richie, Foster	4:28
10.	"The Groove" (Instrumental interlude)	Richie	1:15
11.	"Running with the Night" (Undubbed version)	Richie, Weil	6:14
12.	"Hello" (Original demo version)	Richie	4:26
13.	"Blues" (Outro)		1:12

Personnel

Personnel as listed in the album's liner notes are:[11]

Musicians

• Lionel Richie – lead vocals, vocal arrangements, rhythm arrangements (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8), backing vocals (2-7), Yamaha GS-1 (2, 3, 4), acoustic piano (8)
• David Cochrane – synthesizers (1), synthesizer programming (1), vocoder (1), synth bass (1), guitar (1, 5), arrangements (1), backing vocals (2, 5, 7)
• Greg Phillinganes – Yamaha GS-1 (2, 5), synthesizers (5), rhythm arrangements (5)
• Michael Boddicker – synthesizers (3, 4, 7, 8), E-mu Emulator sampler (4), additional synthesizer (5), vocoder (7)
• John Hobbs – Fender Rhodes (3), electric piano (7)
• Brian Banks – synthesizer programming (5)
• Anthony Marinelli – synthesizer programming (5)
• David Foster – keyboards (6), Roland Jupiter 8 (6), Moog bass (6), rhythm arrangements (6)
• Reginald "Sonny" Burke – Fender Rhodes (8)
• Darryl Jones – guitar (2), acoustic guitar (4), electric guitar (8)
• Tim May – guitar (2), acoustic guitar (8)
• Carlos Rios – guitar (3, 7)
• Mitch Holder – guitar (4)
• Louie Shelton – guitar (4, 8)
• Fred Tackett – acoustic guitar (4)
• Steve Lukather – guitar (6), guitar solo (7)
• Peter Banks – guitar (8) (uncredited)
• Abraham Laboriel – bass guitar (2, 3)
• Joe Chemay – bass guitar (4, 7, 8)
• Nathan East – bass guitar (5)
• Paul Leim – Simmons drums (1), drums (3, 4, 8)
• John Robinson – drums (2, 6)
• Jeff Porcaro – drums (7)
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion (2, 7)
• Charlie Loper – trombone (2)
• Bill Reichenbach Jr. – trombone (2)
• Chuck Findley – trumpet (2)
• Gary Grant – trumpet (2)
• Jerry Hey – trumpet (2)
• James Anthony Carmichael – arrangements (1), horn arrangements (2), string arrangements (2, 3, 4, 8), rhythm arrangements (3, 4, 5, 7, 8)
• Jeremy Lubbock – string arrangements (6)
• Israel Baker – concertmaster (3, 4, 6)
• Harry Bluestone – concertmaster (8)
• Melinda Joyce Chatman – vocal sound effects (2)
• Calvin Harris – backing vocals (2)
• Richard Marx – backing vocals (2, 5, 6, 7)
• Deborah Thomas – backing vocals (2, 5, 7)
• Kin Vassy – backing vocals (2)
• Jeanette Hawes – backing vocals (6)

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
• Darryl 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
• Rita Leigh – creative assistant
• Johnny Lee – art direction
• Chris Callis – innerspread photography
• Greg Gorman – front and back cover photography

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1983–84) Peak position Australian Albums Chart (Kent Music Report)[12] 1 Austrian Albums Chart[13] 17 Dutch Albums Chart[14] 1 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[15] 2 Media Control Charts 2 New Zealand Albums Chart[16] 1 Norwegian Albums Chart[17] 3 Swedish Albums Chart[18] 2 Swiss Albums Chart[19] 3 UK Albums Chart[20] 1 US Billboard 200[21] 1 US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[22] 1 US Billboard Top Country Albums[23] 55

Year-end charts Chart (1984) Position Australian Albums Chart[24] 1 Canadian Albums Chart[25] 6 Dutch Albums Chart[26] 1 New Zealand Albums Chart[27] 11 UK Albums Chart[28] 1 US Billboard 200[29] 3 US Billboard Top R&B Albums[30] 1 Chart (1985) Position Australian Albums Chart[24] 12 US Billboard 200[31] 22 US Billboard Top R&B Albums[32] 29 Decade-end charts Chart (1980–89) Position Australian Albums Chart[12] 6

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia	—	300,000[33]
Belgium (BEA)[34]	4× Platinum	200,000^*
Canada (Music Canada)[35]	Diamond	1,000,000^^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[36]	Platinum	50,608[36]
France (SNEP)[37]	Gold	357,000[38]
Germany (BVMI)[39]	Gold	250,000^^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[40]	Platinum	20,000^*
Netherlands (NVPI)[41]	Platinum	100,000^^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[42]	Platinum	15,000^^
South Africa	—	200,000[43]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[44]	Gold	50,000^^
United Kingdom (BPI)[45]	3× Platinum	900,000^^
United States (RIAA)[46]	Diamond	10,000,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also

• List of best-selling albums
• List of best-selling albums in the United States

References

1. https://www.discogs.com/Lionel-Richie-Cant-Slow-Down/release/9553871
2. 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. Allmusic review
5. Larkin, Colin (2011). "Richie, Lionel". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-85712-595-8.
6. "Lionel Richie". rollingstone.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2007.
7. "Best Motown Records of All Time". Q. London: 161. October 1999.
8. Album chart positions from allmusic.com Retrieved 24 March 2009.
9. Schreiberg, Stu (1986-01-12). "Richie's record rise". The Santa Fe New Mexican. p. 55. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
10. "Atlanta Magazine Vol. 47, No. 3". Emmis Communications. July 2007. Retrieved 2012-06-08. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
11. Can't Slow Down (booklet). Motown. 1983.
12. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
13. "Lionel Richie - Can't Slow Down". Austrian Album Charts. Hung Medien.
14. "Dutch Albums Chart – November 5, 1983".
15. "Offiziellecharts.de – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
16. "Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down – New Zealand Charts".
17. "Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down – Norwegian Charts".
18. "Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down – Swedish Charts".
19. "SwIss Albums Chart – June 3, 1984".
20. "UK Albums Chart – November 6, 1984".
21. "Billboard 200 December 3, 1984". Billboard.
22. "Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums January 5, 1985". Billboard.
23. "Top Country Albums September 1, 1984" (PDF). Billboard.
24. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – 1984". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
25. "RPM Top 100 Albums of 1984". RPM. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
26. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1984". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
27. "The Top 50 Albums of 1984". Retrieved 2 April 2017.
28. "Chart Archive – 1980s Albums". everyhit.com. The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
29. "1984 Billboard Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
30. "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1984". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
31. "1985 Billboard Year-End". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
32. "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Year End 1985". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
33. Barker, Glenn A. (9 November 1985). "Majors (Australia Spotlight)". Billboard. p. A-26. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
34. "International - Brussels" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4 no. 16. April 25, 1987. p. 7. Retrieved November 27, 2019 – via American Radio History.
35. "Canadian album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Music Canada.
36. "Lionel Richie" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
37. "French album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in French). InfoDisc. Select LIONEL RICHIE and click OK. 
38. "Les Albums Or :" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
39. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Lionel Richie; 'Can't Slow Down')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
40. "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1985". IFPI Hong Kong.
41. "Dutch album certifications – Lional Richie – Can't Slow Down" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 5 July 2019. Enter Can't Slow Down in the "Artiest of titel" box.
42. "New Zealand album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
43. "Richie LP Hits Big In South Africa". Billboard. September 13, 1986. Retrieved June 1, 2020 – via Google Books.
44. 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 20 September 2019.
45. "British album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Can't Slow Down in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
46. "American album certifications – Lionel Richie – Can't Slow Down". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.