Truly (Lionel Richie song)

"Truly"
"Truly"
Single by Steven Houghton
from the album Steven Houghton
Released	6 March 1998
Recorded	1997
Genre	Pop
Length	3:20
Label	Bertelsmann Music Group
Songwriter(s)	Lionel Richie
Producer(s)	Steven Houghton
Steven Houghton singles chronology

"Truly"
"Truly"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Lionel Richie
B-side	"Just Put Some Love in Your Heart"
Released	September 1982
Recorded	1982
Genre	Pop
Length	3:26
Label	Motown
Songwriter(s)	Lionel Richie
Producer(s)	Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael
Lionel Richie singles chronology
Audio
	"Truly" on YouTube

"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.^[1] It also spent four weeks at No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart,^[2] 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.^[3] 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'."^[4]

Music video

In the music video for "Truly", Lionel Richie performs the song live on a piano.^[5]

Track listing

7" single

"Truly"
"Just Put Some Love in Your Heart"

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1982–1983)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[6]	7
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[7]	1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)^[8]	16
Ireland (IRMA)^[9]	4
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[10]	21
South Africa (Springbok)^[11]	9
UK Singles (OCC)^[12]	6
US Billboard Hot 100^[13]	1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[14]	1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[15]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1983)	Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[16]	35
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)^[17]	47

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)^[18]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[19]	Silver	250,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[20]	Gold	1,000,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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.^[21]

Track listing

CD single

"Truly" – 3:20
"Wind Beneath My Wings" – 4:30

Charts

Chart (1998)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)	23

Other cover versions

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

References

^ Whitburn, Joel (1991). The Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Eighties (9 October 1982 – 5 February 1983). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-079-2.
^ Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications)
^ "Lionel Richie – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
^ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. 9 October 1982. p. 63. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
^ "Music video in MyVideo.com". Myvideo.de. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 252. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3936." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Lionel Richie". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 215. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Truly". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
^ "Lionel Richie – Truly". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
^ "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
^ "Lionel Richie: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
^ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
^ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
^ "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
^ "Kent Music Report – National Top 100 Singles for 1983". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 22 January 2023 – via Imgur.com.
^ "Talent Almanac 1984: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 95, no. 52. 24 December 1983. p. TA-18.
^ "Canadian single certifications – Lionel Richie – Truly". Music Canada. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
^ "British single certifications – Lionel Richie – Truly". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
^ "American single certifications – Lionel Richie – Truly". Recording Industry Association of America.
^ "Steven Houghton – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2016.

External links

List of cover versions of "Truly" at SecondHandSongs.com

[1] Whitburn, Joel (1991). The Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Eighties (9 October 1982 – 5 February 1983). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-079-2.

[2] Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications)

[occ-3] "Lionel Richie – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2016.

[bb-4] "Top Single Picks". Billboard. 9 October 1982. p. 63. Retrieved 7 February 2023.

[5] "Music video in MyVideo.com". Myvideo.de. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2013.

[aus-6] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 252. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_Lionel_Richie-7] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 3936." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

[8] Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Lionel Richie". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 215. Retrieved 4 July 2022.

[sc_Ireland2_-9] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Truly". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2019.

[sc_New_Zealand_Lionel_Richie-10] "Lionel Richie – Truly". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 29, 2017.

[11] "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Lionel_Richie-12] "Lionel Richie: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 29, 2017.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Lionel_Richie-13] "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Lionel_Richie-14] "Lionel Richie Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Lionel_Richie-15] "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.

[aus83-16] "Kent Music Report – National Top 100 Singles for 1983". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 22 January 2023 – via Imgur.com.

[17] "Talent Almanac 1984: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 95, no. 52. 24 December 1983. p. TA-18.

[CanadaLionel_RichieTrulysingleCertRef-18] "Canadian single certifications – Lionel Richie – Truly". Music Canada. Retrieved 3 August 2023.

[United_KingdomLionel_RichieTrulysingleCertRef-19] "British single certifications – Lionel Richie – Truly". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 3 August 2023.

[riaa-20] "American single certifications – Lionel Richie – Truly". Recording Industry Association of America.

[occhoughton-21] "Steven Houghton – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 January 2016.

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v t e Lionel Richie
Studio albums	Lionel Richie (1982) Can't Slow Down (1983) Dancing on the Ceiling (1986) Louder Than Words (1996) Time (1998) Renaissance (2000) Just for You (2004) Coming Home (2006) Sounds of the Season (2006) Just Go (2009) Tuskegee (2012)
Live albums	Encore (2002)
Compilation albums	Back to Front (1992) Truly: The Love Songs (1997) The Definitive Collection (2003) Gold (2006)
Singles	"Endless Love" (with Diana Ross) (1981) "Truly" (1982) "You Are" (1983) "My Love" (1983) "All Night Long (All Night)" (1983) "Running with the Night" (1983) "Hello" (1984) "Stuck on You" (1984) "Penny Lover" (1984) "Say You, Say Me" (1985) "Dancing on the Ceiling" (1986) "Love Will Conquer All" (1986) "Ballerina Girl" (1986) "Deep River Woman" (1987) "Se La" (1987) "Do It to Me" (1992) "My Destiny" (1992) "Don't Wanna Lose You" (1996) "Angel" (2000) "Don't Stop the Music" (2001) "Tender Heart" (2001) "I Forgot" (2001) "Cinderella" (2001) "To Love a Woman" (2003) "Just for You" (2004) "Long, Long Way to Go" (2004) "I Call It Love" (2006) "What You Are" (2006) "Why" (2006) "Reason to Believe" (2007) "Good Morning" (2008) "Just Go" (2009)
Songwriting	"Lady" (1980) "Missing You" (1984) "We Are the World" (1985) "I Like It" (2010)
Tours	All the Hits, All Night Long All the Hits Tour
Related articles	Awards and nominations Discography Commodores

v t e Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
1950s	"Catch a Falling Star" – Perry Como (1958) Come Dance with Me! – Frank Sinatra (1959)
1960s	"Georgia on My Mind" – Ray Charles / The Genius of Ray Charles – Ray Charles (1960) "Lollipops and Roses" – Jack Jones (1961) "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" – Tony Bennett (1962) "Wives and Lovers" – Jack Jones (1963) "Hello, Dolly!" – Louis Armstrong (1964) "It Was a Very Good Year" – Frank Sinatra (1965) "Strangers in the Night" – Frank Sinatra (1966) "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" – Glen Campbell (1967) "Light My Fire" – José Feliciano (1968) "Everybody's Talkin'" – Harry Nilsson (1969)
1970s	"Everything Is Beautiful" – Ray Stevens (1970) "You've Got a Friend" – James Taylor (1971) "Without You" – Harry Nilsson (1972) "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" – Stevie Wonder (1973) Fulfillingness' First Finale – Stevie Wonder (1974) Still Crazy After All These Years – Paul Simon (1975) Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder (1976) "Handy Man" – James Taylor (1977) "Copacabana (At the Copa)" – Barry Manilow (1978) 52nd Street – Billy Joel (1979)
1980s	"This Is It" – Kenny Loggins (1980) Breakin' Away – Al Jarreau (1981) "Truly" – Lionel Richie (1982) Thriller – Michael Jackson (1983) "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" – Phil Collins (1984) No Jacket Required – Phil Collins (1985) "Higher Love" – Steve Winwood (1986) Bring On the Night – Sting (1987) "Don't Worry, Be Happy" – Bobby McFerrin (1988) "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" – Michael Bolton (1989)
1990s	"Oh, Pretty Woman (live 1987)" – Roy Orbison (1990) "When a Man Loves a Woman" – Michael Bolton (1991) "Tears in Heaven" – Eric Clapton (1992) "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" – Sting (1993) "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Elton John (1994) "Kiss from a Rose" – Seal (1995) "Change the World" – Eric Clapton (1996) "Candle in the Wind 1997" – Elton John (1997) "My Father's Eyes" – Eric Clapton (1998) "Brand New Day" – Sting (1999)
2000s	"She Walks This Earth" – Sting (2000) "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" – James Taylor (2001) "Your Body Is a Wonderland" – John Mayer (2002) "Cry Me a River" – Justin Timberlake (2003) "Daughters" – John Mayer (2004) "From the Bottom of My Heart" – Stevie Wonder (2005) "Waiting on the World to Change" – John Mayer (2006) "What Goes Around... Comes Around" – Justin Timberlake (2007) "Say" – John Mayer (2008) "Make It Mine" – Jason Mraz (2009)
2010s	"Just the Way You Are" – Bruno Mars (2010)

Music video

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Steven Houghton version

Track listing

Charts

Other cover versions

See also

References

External links