This week in 1983, another new song went to Number One, and it began another four-week run at the top of the charts. It was also the penultimate Number One song of 1983, which means this series is winding down, too. On November 12, 1983, "All Night Long (All Night)" (above), by American singer and songwriter Lionel Richie. It was the second of three songs to spend four weeks at Number One in 1983. The song was written by Richie and was on his second solo album, Can't Slow Down.
The official music video was produced by Mike Nesmith (formerly of The Monkees and an extensive solo career. It was directed by American film director Bob Rafelson who was also a creator of The Monkees TV series.
I was never exactly a fan of Richie’s nor of The Commodores, which Richie left in 1982, but neither was I—what’s the word? An “unfan”? Like a lot of other performers of that era, his songs were ones I sort of liked, or, at least, didn’t dislike. When I moved to New Zealand, I entered a family that liked him quite a bit more than I did, one of several performers for which that was was true. Karaoke nights are more entertaining, I think, when we feel like joining in, and, well, Richie’s song weren’t usually among that sort for me.
However, I liked this song well enough, and more than some of his other songs. Not that it matters, of course.
"All Night Long (All Night)" reached Number One in Australia, Number One in Canada (Platinum), 4 in New Zealand, 2 in the UK (Platinum), and Number One on the USA’s “Billboard Hot 100”, “Hot Black Singles” and “Adult Contemporary” charts, as well as Number One on Cash Box “Top 100”; it was certified Gold in the USA.
This series will be back in four weeks, on December 10, with another new Number One from 1983, the last Number One song for that year. It, too, had a four-week run at Number One.
Previously in the “Weekend Diversion – 1983” series:
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 1
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 2
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 3
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 4
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 5
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 6
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 7
Weekend Diversion: 1983 – And also
Weekend Diversion: 1983 – And also more
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 8
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 9
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 10
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 11
Weekend Diversion: 1983, Part 12
1 comment:
I liked the uptempo Commodores/Richie songs, less so the ballads. So this I enjoyed, and I remember the video fondly.
Post a Comment