Can’t Slow Down
Label: Motown Records / UMG Recordings
Release Date: October 14th 1983 (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Can’t Slow Down
- All Night Long (All Night)
- Penny Lover
- Stuck On You
- Love Will Find A Way
- The Only One
- Running With The Night
- Hello
Initial thoughts: Throughout Lionel Richie’s solo career, he became known as one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s; and as he has sold over 100 million records worldwide, this has made him one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time. Lionel has won four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for “We Are the World” (which he co-wrote with Michael Jackson- more on that song later!), and Album of the Year for Can’t Slow Down. His magnum opus was and will continue to be “Hello” on this album (no matter how ‘creepy’ it is when viewed in today’s lens!), and this melody is one that stands the test of time and places Lionel as an artist that will always be talked about, even 50 years from now; this melody released as a single in 1984. On the surface, the melody is about a very shy man who is ‘in love’ with a girl from afar. He is too tongue tied and anxious to say anything, so he just admires her from afar. And the song is this outpouring of overwhelming love that the singer has for this person. With Lionel writing the song about his experiences in the past (about how beautiful women would always pass him by and he would wonder if they would ever give someone like him a second glance), the song on the whole and on the surface is sweet, inspiring, uplifting and hopeful- it provides us with a reassurance that people who are shy can find themselves in a relationship with someone who is worthy and someone who is kind, gracious and special. However, a deeper listen to the lyrics, reveal a message that is quite… disturbing to say the least, and has me really wanting to press pause- considering the era of #metoo we are in. This melody may be a timeless classic and a hit, but this message of someone declaring their love for another person that he barely knows… well, isn’t that a bit icky? Aside from that, Lionel fakes a Caribbean accent in “All Night Long” which is pretty disconcerting- but other than that, his songs are sweet and hard-hitting, and his brand of pop is incredibly timeless. This album showcases Lionel’s ability to be an ‘everyman’ with the sense of being relatable to people with all issues and in all walks of life- and that is why this album is timeless and influential.
Reason to listen: If you want to listen to an album that personifies the 80’s that isn’t to hard on the ears, then Can’t Slow Down is for you. Lionel is largely inoffensive (aside from “Hello”) and these earworms are incredibly catchy, that it’s hard not to dance or move to them!
Reason to buy: If you’re a fan of Lionel Richie and want to complete his collection. Or if the album is very cheap. Else, just listen on Spotify!
Reason to skip: If the ‘ick’ factor on “Hello” is too much for you to stomach and bear.
No. of iconic singles and timeless classics: 3 (“All Night Long”, “Stuck On You”, “Hello”)
Is the album relevant and relatable now? Why/why not?: Yes, relevant. Relatable? Ummm, not sure. Right now, I see this song (“Hello”) as something that is downright creepy; but I guess you’ve got to remember that back then it was the 80’s, and probably Lionel meant this song to be a poetic, beautiful, sappy, admirable, and adorable love song. You could actually see it that way, with the protagonist being a shy, awkward and anxiety-ridden teenager who is crushing on his next-door neighbour or classmate, and he can’t find the words to say anything to her so he sings this song. Problem is, though, that the music video reveals a teacher following a blind student and declaring his love for her. I mean, come on! A blind student? There’s a bit of a power dynamic issue and struggle here, don’t you think? Yes, I know, I know, the girl moulds a sculpture of Lionel Richie’s face at the end of the video, proving to all of us viewers that the two people love each other. But you’ve got to admit though, the track, though still timeless, has a very different meaning in 2022 than it did in 1984. And this begs the question- should you view songs in the era that they were written or in the era that we’re living in now? Or do you try to view them via both lenses? It’s something to ponder and think about and discuss. It’s certainly something that won’t be solved in this paragraph- and so how about we leave the controversy about “Hello” behind for now; and leave the discussion up to you about what the song means. The melody nonetheless is impacting and powerful and one for the history books. Though, “Stuck On You” is a sweet love song (that can’t be reinterpreted thankfully, no matter which way we slice it!); while “All Night Long (All Night)”, a poppy, joyous, Caribbean style melody, is a fun track to dance and move to. With the melody being about how the very act of dancing for a long continuous time can stir your soul and move your spirit, Lionel powerfully relays that he loves to dance his troubles away, and that this song was the turning point for him in respect to his career taking off!
No of guest artists: None
Does it have heart?: Yes, there’s passion oozing out, so much so it can’t be contained. In fact, would you believe me if I said that Lionel’s enthusiasm is unparalleled in the 80’s?
Does it have replay value: That, my friends, is the million-dollar question, and is a multilayered question at that. It is through the 2012 album Tuskagee that I found myself resonating with much of Lionel’s earlier work- Can’t Slow Down included. And we realise that no matter what the current state of music is today and no mater why Lionel’s later albums didn’t resonate with the wider world; we still have these powerful melodies from the early part of his career, and that is what has made him successful and popular for all this time. I’ve often said that influential artists are influential because of what they have done outside of the spotlight. That is true. But iconic and identity building artists? They’re famous because of their presence, that one song that worms its way into listeners’ hearts, and the feeling people get when they hear the songs. Lionel’s music is magical, and on another level. Dare I say, it’s God-breathed! They may not fit, or they may sound outdated right now. But there’s something about these songs and there’s something that makes me happy that I have resonated with at least some of Lionel’s discography.
Uniqueness?: No, this album isn’t that unique musically. But like I said earlier, there’s still something about Lionel’s music that is special, and that is what makes this album all the more powerful and magical to listen to.
Timeless message for today? A message for the time of release?: Yes- timelessness with regards to the time of release. With regards to timelessness now? That’s up for debate and will be forever up for debate.
Closing thoughts: In a time when some of Lionel’s contemporaries (Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kenny Rogers) have passed away, Lionel’s longevity is astounding and remarkable. Lionel Richie may not release another album. But that’s ok. He’s recently unveiled deluxe editions of his previous albums (his successful albums and his unsuccessful albums), and you can view them on Apple Music. And as such, he’s still having a ball. He’s still a judge on American Idol, and you never know- he might surprise us and release a Christmas album or an acoustic album. But if Lionel doesn’t, that’s more than ok, because he has earned his time in the spotlight and his time away from the spotlight. Lionel is iconic. You might not believe me, but he is. Lionel’s presence in this industry is inspiring; and his thoughts about the ever-evolving music industry is even more humbling and moving. “Hello” might be creepy now… but can we ever listen to it in a more innocent way?
3 songs to listen to: All Night Long, Stuck On You, Hello
Overall rating: 4/5
Yes/no; why/why not?: Yes… slightly. If you’re not the most avid Lionel Richie fan, I’d say listen on Spotify. But if you love 80’s music, then Can’t Slow Down is right up your alley!
RIYL: Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, Willie Nelson