Lionel Richie Is Essential '80s Listening, Whether We Like It or Not

"Essential" is a word that gets tossed around quite a bit when it comes to music analysis, compilations and the kind of musing you routinely find in this space. And while there's some subjectivity to almost any such designation, there are times when there's really no argument to be had. Lionel Richie certainly qualifies as an '80s artist fitting the essential description: you can make fun of him if you want, but you can't really get away with ignoring him.

So please excuse my omission of this consummate hitmaker from my Essential Eight Artists feature that functions as the core of this music-obsessed website. I can use space and time limitations as my rationalization for this decision, but there's really no valid excuse for the oversight. So, as punishment for this grievous travesty, I pledge to subject myself, truly, to a session of dancing on the ceiling all night long. Say you? No, say me.

• Lionel Richie Profile
• My list of the Top 7 Lionel Richie Songs of the '80s
• Compare prices on Lionel Richie CDs here.
• Island Records Lionel Richie Website
• Listen to clips here from Lionel Richie's new album, Coming Home

. Album Cover Photo Courtesy of Motown Records