I felt this album was 1983's Album of the Year (even though it took a Grammy a year later). This album was the perfect answer to Michael Jackson's Thriller. On this album, Lionel Richie puts together an awesome suite of ballads and up-tempo songs that cement this as one of the great albums of all time. What makes this great is how Lionel brings in a potpourri of new avenues - Country/Western (Stuck on You), Calypso (All Night Long), Early New Age Instrumentals (The Only One), and Rock (Running with the Night). The background vocals are superb - especially by an artist who would soon emerge in his own right (see below).

The title track is very underrated. During the days of 80s Top 40 radio since this wasn't a single, it didn't get played on the airwaves. It was a shame because the song "Can't Slow Down" is one of the better tunes on the album. It has a nice uptempo beat and could easily be a song to groove to in the clubs.

"All Night Long" is a legendary song. The calypso combo was revolutionary back in 1983 and this song really took off. It also showed a new side to Lionel Richie as a songwriter and singer who was willing to explore new avenues of sound. This song also features background vocals by a an artist named Richard Marx, who would soon become a star in his own right.

"Penny Lover" is the pure classic Richie love song ballad. If you like a Lionel Richie ballad, you probably love Penny Lover. It's not the most popular Richie song, but it holds its own on the album.

"Stuck on You" shows another avenue that Lionel Richie explores - Country/Western. This song has a unique Country/Western feel. Perhaps working with Kenny Rogers rubbed off on Lionel Richie. The result is a classic ballad with this exciting feel to it.

"Love will Find A Way" is a weaker track on this album, but not a bad track. This is one of these songs that can pick you up when you're down. It has a distinct R&B flair to it that makes it enjoyable. Richard Marx also provides background vocals.

"The Only One" is another underrated song. It was co-written by David Foster who composes such great instrumentals like from "Love Theme from St. Elmos Fire". This song brilliantly brings the David Foster keyboard arrangements in with Lionel Richie's voice. This song was again a victim of the prejudice of Top 40 radio - it is a classic. Richard Marx again provides background vocals.

"Running with the Night" explores the Rock avenue with participation from Toto musicians. The highlight of this song is the great guitar solo by Toto Guitarist Steve Lukather. Jeff Porcaro also provides drums. This song has some excellent bridges and has a feel of excitement throughout the song. Richard Marx also provides background vocals.

"Hello" is just a pure emotional song. Many folks were hooked on this song because of the emotional video that featured a blind woman sculpting Lionel Richie, but this song really deserves to be heard on its own without watching the video.

This album is often a forgotten album in the 80s, but really deserves all the accolades. The most important thing to remember is its much more than Lionel Richie Love Songs - its a great collection of new avenues by one of the all time greats.

By 1983, Lionel Richie's solo career was in full swing, and it led to him releasing this masterpiece. All that it produced was five top 10 hits and a combination of beautiful love songs and some catchy uptempo numbers.

The leadoff title track shows a small bit of remaining funk in Lionel's music with a catchy little number. Then comes a few big hits in a row, starting with the very fun, uptempo number "All Night Long". Talk about a catchy, partying track, and yet it remains true to being musically legitimate (i.e., not manufactured like today's throw-away pop garbage). Then comes the lovely track "Penny Lover", which is the first of the slower tracks. Further pleasant diversity comes with the next track, the country-ish, fantastic love song "Stuck On You".

Next come a couple of rare non-hit tracks. First comes "Love Will Find A Way", with its slow, plesant grove; and it is followed by the straight melodic ballad, "The Only One". These songs could have been hits just as easily as most of the other tracks, as they are both very good. But then comes a great uptempo number, "Running With The Night", which includes an electric guitar solo that reminds me of much of the day's melodic rock. That is definitely a favorite track, and it is followed by a beautiful love ballad that is also a favorite--"Hello". I remember how hearing this song made me feel as a teen, and it still tugs at the heart strings as an adult. A classic track to close out a classic album.

It just doesn't get much better than this in the realm of pure pop music. Plenty of music listeners rail against pop music, and I am right there when it comes to talentless, cookie-cutter pop. However, there is plenty of legitimate pop out there, and this is the epitome of it. Lionel Richie is a truly talented musician and singer, and this album is simply him at his solo best. Very recommended.

This album is timeless. Like Michael Jackson's "Thriller", the album is mostly a greatest hits collection. Lionel is simply a true artist. Throwing in R&B, rock, country, and funk all in one collection with gorgeous poetry and a gorgeous voice makes for a dynamic album. One thing I must point out is that not many of Lionel's compilations feature this original version of "Penny Lover", which is the most beautiful one in my opinion. Another plus are the 3 tracks that didn't make the radio - the title track, "Love Will Find a Way", and "The Only One". These cuts are wonderful and don't even come close to being filler tracks. Pick this gem up and let Lionel take you away.

I first bought this back when it first came out, on vinyl. A couple of years ago I replaced it with a cd. And it is still as fresh sounding now, as it was back in the 80's, which just goes to show that good music is timeless. I now have a few of his cds, but I still have to say that I think this is his best, although I do love them all. The only disappointing thing about it, is that there are only 8 songs on the album...although I realize that the length of some songs made more impossible on one vinyl record. It would be nice though, to see this cd remastered with some bonus cuts, like alternate versions. But despite that, I really love this album, and recommend it highly.

This has his best effort. This CD gave Thriller a run for the money. He has never again been able to equal the quality of this CD in subsequent works.