Showing posts with label Lionel Richie. Show all posts

Friday, June 6, 2025

Apollo Theater Walk of Fame

Apollo Theater Walk of Fame:

2006-2024

The famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, dates back to the mid-19th century when Civil War General Edward Ferrero founded Apollo Hall as a dance hall and ballroom. In 1872, his lease expired and the building was converted to a theater. It closed shortly before the turn of the century, but the Apollo Theater resurfaced around 1913 in a new building at 253 West 125th Street. It declined again in the 1960s and ‘70s, but was revived in 1983. It gained fame over the years for featuring almost exclusively African-American performers.

Somewhere in the mid-2000s, the Apollo launched its own Walk of Fame (also called the Legends Hall of Fame). The first group looks to have been inducted in 2006 although other sources say the Walk of Fame wasn’t established until 2010. Even the official Apollo Theater website offers no details about the Walk of Fame so the list of inductees below has been compiled from various sources. The most recent inductee appears to be Clive Davis on June 6, 2025.

See other Hall of Fames.

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 6/13/2016; last updated 6/6/2026.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Gershwin Prize:

2007-2024

The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song was created by the Library of Congress in 2007. As explained on the site, it is given to celebrate “the work of an artist whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding. The styles in which these works are composed reflect myriad contemporary traditions like rock, jazz, country, pop, blues, folk, and gospel. The recipient – whether composer, singer/songwriter, or interpreter – is recognized for entertaining and informing audiences, for drawing upon the acknowledged foundations of popular song, and for inspiring new generations of performers on their own professional journeys.” The Library of Congress selects the recipient in consultation with a board consisting of members which may include music critics, performers, producers, scholars, and songwriters. The award was named after the brother/composer team of George and Ira Gershwin. Here are the recipients:

See other lifetime achievement awards.

Resources:

Library of Congress (loc.gov): Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
Wikipedia.org: Gershwin Prize

First posted 12/13/2012; last updated 3/20/2024.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs of All Time

No, this isn’t what “soft rock” means.

Adult Contemporary, 1961-2023:

Top 100 Songs

It’s been called “soft rock,” “light rock,” “middle of the road,” and “adult contemporary.” By any name, this genre celebrates songwriters and balladry and music that skews toward a generally older audience.

This post originated in 2011 when Billboard magazine celebrated the 50th anniversary of their adult contemporary charts with a list of “The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs Ever.” They weighted the list so that the last decade’s trend toward longer stays at #1 (and longer stays on the chart) didn’t completely dominate the list. I posted a new ranking on my Facebook page that showed the biggest AC hits based solely on weeks at #1.

Still not satisfied, I went to my music database and sorted all songs to hit #1 on the adult contemporary charts. Then I sorted those songs based on total points in Dave’s Music Database. The results made for what I consider the most balanced of the three lists and acknowledging some bonafide classics which may not have had longevity at #1 or on the charts, but have had long-lasting impact.

One last thing – the pics are for the top-ten ranked AC acts according to Billboard. Click on the photos for the acts DMDB music makers encyclopedia entries.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
2. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
3. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
4. Don McLean “American Pie” (1971)
5. The Beatles “Let It Be” (1970)
6. The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” (1965)
7. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017)
8. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
9. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
10. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)

Elton John

11. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
12. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
13. Ray Charles “I Can’t Stop Loving You” (1962)
14. U.S.A. for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
15. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (1987)
16. Adele “Hello” (2015)
17. Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
18. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (2019)
19. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)
20. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)

Neil Diamond

21. Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
22. Jason Mraz “I’m Yours” (2008)
23. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
24. Adele “Someone Like You (2011)
25. Bee Gees “How Deep Is Your Love” (1977)
26. Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017)
27. Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are (Amazing)” (2010)
28. John Legend “All of Me” (2013)
29. George Michael “Careless Whisper” (1984)
30. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)

Barbra Streisand

31. Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” (2014)
32. Kenny Rogers “Lady” (1980)
33. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
34. Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” (2007)
35. Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)
36. Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995)
37. Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” 1998)
38. Tony Orlando & Dawn “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” (1973)
39. Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
40. Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (2016)

Barry Manilow

41. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
42. Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time” (1983)
43. Katy Perry “Roar” (2013)
44. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
45. Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (2015)
46. Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
47. Katy Perry “Firework” (2010)
48. Harry Nilsson “Without You” (1971)
49. The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
50. Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)

Kenny Rogers

51. James Blunt “You’re Beautiful” (2005)
52. Carly Simon “You’re So Vain” (1972)
53. Celine Dion “Because You Loved Me” (1996)
54. Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017)
55. Taylor Swift “Love Story” (2008)
56. Taylor Swift “Blank Space” (2014)
57. Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun” (1974)
58. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
59. Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
60. Toni Braxton “Un-Break My Heart” (1996)

Chicago

61. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)
62. One Republic “Counting Stars” (2013)
63. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
64. Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
65. Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
66. Daniel Powter “Bad Day” (2005)
67. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
68. Fergie “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)”
69. Harry Styles “As It Was” (2022)
70. Dolly Parton “9 to 5” (1980)

Billy Joel

71. Rick Astley “Never Gonna Give You Up” (1987)
72. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
73. Stevie Wonder “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1973)
74. Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy” (1975)
75. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton “Islands in the Stream” (1983)
76. Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (1977)
77. Train “Hey, Soul Sister” (2009)
78. Lee Ann Womack with Sons of the Desert “I Hope You Dance” (2000)
79. Gilbert O’Sullivan “Alone Again (Naturally)” (1972)
80. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)

Carpenters

81. B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” (1969)
82. Snow Patrol “Chasing Cars” (2006)
83. Magic! “Rude” (2013)
84. Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night” (1966)
85. The Lumineers “Ho Hey” (2012)
86. Lionel Richie “Say You Say Me” (1985)
87. Glen Campbell “Wichita Lineman” (1968)
88. Passenger “Let Her Go” (2012)
89. Mariah Carey “Vision of Love” (1990)
90. Louis Armstrong “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)

Lionel Richie

91. Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way” (1999)
92. Taylor Swift “You Belong with Me” (2008)
93. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory” (1982)
94. Stan Getz with Joao & Astrud Gilberto “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964)
95. Jimmy Dean “Big Bad John” (1961)
96. Roger Miller “King of the Road” (1965)
97. Post Malone “Circles” (2019)
98. Savage Garden “Truly Madly Deeply” (1997)
99. Carpenters “They Long to Be Close to You” (1970)
100. Chicago “If You Leave Me Now” (1976)

Anne Murray

Resources/Related Links:

Dave’s Music Database: “Other Genre/Category Song Lists”
Billboard Magazine (9/22/2023). “Most Weeks at No. 1 on Adult Contemporary Chart” by Gary Trust
Billboard Magazine (7/16/2011). “The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs Ever”
Billboard Magazine (7/16/2011). “The 50 Biggest AC Artists Ever”

First posted 7/22/2011; last updated 9/23/2023.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

The Top 100 Motown Songs

Motown:

Top 100 Songs

On January 12, 1959, Berry Gordy launched Tamla Records after borrowing $800 from his relatives. The label evolved into Motown. In celebration of the historic event, the DMDB presents this list of the top 100 songs in the history of Motown. The list was generated by looking at song’s status in Dave’s Music Database, which is determined by rankings on best-of lists, awards, chart appearances, sales, and airplay. Appearances on Motown specific lists and CD compilations is figured into the mix as well. Here are the results:

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode Remembering Barrett Strong: 10 of His Best which references songs on this list. Premiere: February 1, 2023. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Marvin Gaye “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
2. Stevie Wonder “Superstition” (1972)
3. The Temptations “My Girl” (1964)
4. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
5. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
6. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
7. Four Tops “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” (1966)
8. The Jackson 5 “I Want You Back” (1969)
9. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)
10. Marvin Gaye “Let’s Get It On” (1973)

11. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)
12. The Supremes “Stop! In the Name of Love” (1965)
13. The Supremes “Baby Love” (1964)
14. The Miracles “The Tracks of My Tears” (1965)
15. Boyz II Men “End of the Road” (1992)
16. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
17. The Supremes “Where Did Our Love Go” (1964)
18. Diana Ross “Upside Down” (1980)
19. The Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)
20. The Jackson 5 “I’ll Be There” (1970)

21. The Supremes “You Can’t Hurry Love” (1966)
22. The Jackson 5 “ABC” (1970)
23. The Temptations “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” (1972)
24. The Commodores “Brick House” (1977)
25. Four Tops “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” (1965)
26. Stevie Wonder “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1973)
27. The Temptations “Just My Imagination Running Away with Me” (1971)
28. Rick James “Super Freak” (1981)
29. Edwin Starr “War” (1970)
30. The Marvelettes “Please Mr. Postman” (1961)

31. Lionel Richie “Say You Say Me” (1985)
32. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1967)
33. The Miracles “The Tears of a Clown” (1970)
34. Mary Wells “My Guy” (1964)
35. Martha & the Vandellas “Heat Wave” (1963)
36. The Temptations “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (1966)
37. Lionel Richie “Hello” (1984)
38. The Contours “Do You Love Me?” (1962)
39. Four Tops “Baby I Need Your Loving” (1964)

DMDB Top 2%:

40. Stevie Wonder “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” (1970)
41. Little Stevie Wonder “Fingertips (Part 2)” (1963)
42. The Supremes “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” 1966)
43. Thelma Houston “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (1976)
44. Stevie Wonder “Living for the City” (1973)
45. Junior Walker & the All Stars “Shotgun” (1965)
46. Marvin Gaye “Got to Give It Up (Part 1)” (1977)
47. Stevie Wonder “Higher Ground” (1973)
48. The Miracles “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” (1962)
49. Marvin Gaye “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology Song)” (1971)
50. Stevie Wonder “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” (1965)

51. The Supremes “Someday We’ll Be Together” (1969)
52. Marvin Gaye “How Sweet It Is to Be Loved by You” (1964)
53. Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (1994)
54. Diana Ross “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1970)
55. The Miracles “Shop Around” (1960)
56. Martha & the Vandellas “Nowhere to Run” (1965)
57. The Supremes “Love Child” (1968)
58. Barrett Strong “Money (That’s What I Want)” (1960)
59. Lionel Richie “Truly” (1982)
60. Stevie Wonder “Sir Duke” (1977)

61. The Commodores “Easy” (1977)
62. Eddie Kendricks “Keep on Truckin’ (Part 1)” (1973)

DMDB Top 5%:

63. Jimmy Ruffin “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” (1966)
64. Stevie Wonder “My Cherie Amour” (1969)
65. Diana Ross “Love Hangover” (1976)
66. The Isley Brothers “This Old Heart of Mine” (1966)
67. Smokey Robinson “Being with You” (1981)
68. The Temptations “I Can’t Get Next to You” (1969)
69. The Supremes “Come See about Me” (1964)
70. The Temptations “Ball of Confusion” (1970)

71. The Commodores “Still” (1979)
72. Diana Ross “I’m Coming Out” (1980)
73. Gladys Knight & the Pips “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1967)
74. The Supremes “I Hear a Symphony” (1965)
75. Steve Wonder “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” (1980)
76. The Miracles “Ooo Baby Baby” (1965)
77. Boyz II Men “Motownphilly” (1991)
78. Michael Jackson “Ben” (1972)
79. Stevie Wonder “Part-Time Lover” (1985)
80. The Temptations “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (1964)

81. Stevie Wonder “I Wish” (1976)
82. Commodores “Sail On” (1979)
83. Rockwell with Michael Jackson “Somebody’s Watching Me” (1984)
84. The Supremes “Back in My Arms Again” (1965)
85. Rick James “Give It to Me Baby” (1981)
86. The Temptations “Cloud Nine” (1968)
87. Stevie Wonder “For Once in My Life” (1968)
88. The Miracles “I Second That Emotion” (1967)
89. Martha Reeves & the Vandellas “Jimmy Mack” (1967)
90. Marvin Gaye “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” (1971)

91. Diana Ross “Touch Me in the Morning” (1973)
92. Diana Ross “Do You Know Where You’re Going To (Theme from Mahogany)” (1975)
93. The Jackson 5 “The Love You Save” (1970)
94. Four Tops “Bernadette” (1967)
95. The Miracles “Love Machine” (1975)
96. Stevie Wonder “I Was Made to Love Her” (1967)
97. Dazz Band “Let It Whip” (1982)
98. The Supremes Reflections” (1967)
99. The Temptations “I Wish It Would Rain” (1968)
100. Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston “It Takes Two” (1966)

Resources/Related Links:

Dave’s Music Database: “Other Genre/Category Song Lists”

DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia Entries for:

First posted 1/14/2012; last updated 2/1/2023.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Lionel Richie/Commodores: Top 50 Songs

Lionel Richie/Commodores

Top 50 Songs

Lionel Richie was born June 20, 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama. As a freshman at Tuskegee Institute in 1968, he met the other members of what was to become the Commodores. The group signed with Motown in 1972 and became hugely successful on the pop and R&B charts.

In 1980, Richie penned “Lady” for Kenny Rogers and it was a huge crossover hit. The following year, “Endless Love,” his duet with Diana Ross, was even bigger. It paved the way for his solo career, which he launched in 1982.

Richie became one of chart history’s most successful crossover artists, landing #1 songs on the pop, R&B, adult contemporary charts and even the country chart (if you count “Lady”). His 1983 album, Can’t Slow Down, won the Grammy for Album of the Year. “Endless Love” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era, 1954-1999.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode The Best of Lionel Richie based on this list. Premiere: May 24, 2022 at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

Awards (Lionel Richie):

Awards (Commodores):

Top 50 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. Songs are solo hits by Richie unless marked otherwise. Songs which hit #1 on various charts are noted. (Click for codes to charts.)

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Endless Love (with Diana Ross, 1981) #1 US, #1 AC, #1 RB
2. We Are the World (written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, recorded by U.S.A. for Africa) #1 US, #1 AC, #1 RB
3. Lady (written by Lionel Richie, recorded by Kenny Rogers, 1980) #1 US, #1 AC, #1 CW
4. All Night Long (All Night) (1983) #1 US, #1 AC, #1 RB
5. Three Times a Lady (Commodores, 1978) #1 US, #1 AC, #1 RB
6. Brick House (Commodores, 1977)
7. Say You Say Me (1985) #1 US, #1 AC, #1 RB
8. Hello (1984) #1 US, #1 AC, #1 RB

DMDB Top 2%:

9. Truly (1982) #1 US, #1 AC

DMDB Top 5%:

10. Easy (Commodores, 1977) #1 RB
11. Still (Commodores, 1979) #1 US, #1 RB
12. Sail On (Commodores, 1979)
13. Stuck on You (1984) #1 AC
14. You Are (1983) #1 AC

DMDB Top 10%:

15. Lady (You Bring Me Up) (Commodores, 1981)
16. Dancing on the Ceiling (1986)
17. Running with the Night (1983)
18. Night Shift (Commodores, 1985)
19. Penny Lover (1984) #1 AC
20. My Love (1983) #1 AC
21. Machine Gun (Commodores, 1974)
22. Love Will Conquer All (1986) #1 AC

DMDB Top 20%:

23. Oh No (Commodores, 1981)
24. Sweet Love (Commodores, 1975)
25. Just to Be Close to You (Commodores, 1976) #1 RB
26. Ballerina Girl (1986) #1 AC
27. Deep River Woman (with Alabama, 1986)
28. Do It to Me (1992) #1 RB
29. Se La (1986)
30. Don’t Wanna Lose You (1996)
31. Too Hot ta Trot (Commodores, 1977) #1 RB
32. Wonderland (Commodores, 1979)
33. Old-Fashion Love (Commodores, 1980)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

34. Slippery When Wet (Commodores, 1975) #1 RB
35. Heroes (Commodores, 1980)
36. Fancy Dancer (Commodores, 1976)
37. Flying High (Commodores, 1978)
38. Only You (Commodores, 1983)
39. I Call It Love (2006)
40. Why You Wanna Try Me (Commodores, 1981)

41. Angel (2000)
42. My Destiny (1992)
43. I Feel Sanctified (Commodores, 1974)
44. This Is Your Life (Commodores, 1975)
45. Goin’ to the Bank (Commodores, 1986)
46. Animal Instinct (Commodores, 1985)
47. Janet (Commodores, 1985)
48. Painted Picture (Commodores, 1982)
49. Just for You (2004)
50. Zoom (Commodores, 1977)

Resources and Related Links:

DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Lionel Richie
DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Commodores
Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists”

First posted 6/20/2017; updated 5/24/2022.

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Friday, June 6, 2025