Truly (Lionel Richie song)

"Truly" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter Lionel Richie. Resuming where he left off with D-flat major tunes "Sail On" and particularly "Still" when he was lead for the Commodores, Richie wrote the song and co-produced it with James Anthony Carmichael.

Released as the first single from his self-titled debut album in 1982, "Truly" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on 9 October 1982 and climbed to No. 1 on 27 November – 4 December 1982. It also spent four weeks at No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart, and logged nine weeks at No. 2 on the R&B chart, behind Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing". In addition, "Truly" made the top 10 in United Kingdom, where the song peaked at No. 6. The song won a Grammy Award for Richie in the category Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

Billboard called it a "moving ballad with all the drama and poignance of 'Still', 'Three Times a Lady' and 'Endless Love'."

Music video
In the music video for "Truly", Lionel Richie performs the song live on a piano.

Track listing

 * 7" single
 * 1) "Truly"
 * 2) "Just Put Some Love in Your Heart"

Steven Houghton version
British singer and actor Steven Houghton released a cover version of "Truly" in March 1998 which reached the top 30 of the UK Singles Chart. The song was played in the series 10 finale of London's Burning, in which Houghton starred in.

Track listing

 * CD single
 * 1) "Truly" – 3:20
 * 2) "Wind Beneath My Wings" – 4:30

Other cover versions

 * 2009: Freestyle on their 2009 album Playlist.
 * 2013: Richard Poon on his 2013 album Legends.