All Night Long (All Night)

When Lionel Richie set out to create All Night Long (All Night), he aimed to blend his style, which came from his time with The Commodores, with Caribbean rhythms. The result was a track that not only captured that fusion but also became a resounding success, topping three Billboard charts: pop, R&B, and adult contemporary. In the United Kingdom, it came very close, reaching the second position.

What’s interesting about the lyrics is that, although they sound in English, Richie admitted that some parts that seemed to be in an African language, like "Tam bo li de say de moi ya" and "Jambo jumbo," were actually made up. It was a kind of inside joke, intended because he didn’t have time to find someone to translate the phrases into another language he wanted to include.

The composition of All Night Long (All Night) came with its challenges. Richie shared that he wrote the verses with ease, but he struggled when it came to the chorus. He kept repeating the idea of "come on and sing along" over and over, but felt it was missing something to make it truly catchy. The inspiration struck him unexpectedly one late night as he was saying goodbye to a Jamaican friend. As he left his house on his way back to the studio, he realized the phrase he was looking for was right there: "I got to go back and work all night long, man." The repetition of "All night long" became the perfect hook.

The production of this song, featured on his 1983 album Can't Slow Down, was handled by Lionel Richie alongside James Anthony Carmichael. The music video that accompanied it was produced by Michael Nesmith and directed by Bob Rafelson, and showcased a diverse group of people dancing with typical eighties moves. Richie performed this song at major events, such as the closing ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize concert.