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Dancing on the Ceiling (Lionel Richie song)

"Dancing on the Ceiling"
Dancing on the Ceiling.jpg
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Dancing on the Ceiling
B-side "Love Will Find a Way"
Released July 15, 1986
Format CD single, 7" single, 12" single
Recorded 1985
Genre Pop, Pop Rock, R&B
Length 4:21
Label Motown
Songwriter(s) Lionel Richie, Carlos Rios, Michael Frenchik
Producer(s) Lionel Richie, James Anthony Carmichael
Lionel Richie singles chronology
"Say You, Say Me"
(1985)
"Dancing on the Ceiling"
(1986)
"Love Will Conquer All"
(1986)
"Say You, Say Me"
(1985)
"Dancing on the Ceiling"
(1986)
"Love Will Conquer All"
(1986)

"Dancing on the Ceiling" is a song by American recording artist Lionel Richie. It was written by Richie, Mike Frenchik, and Carlos Rios for his third studio album of the same name (1986), while production was helmed by Richie and James Anthony Carmichael. Released as the album's leading single, it became a worldwide top ten hit, reaching the top five in Sweden, the United States, and the Flemish region of Belgium as well as peaking on the top spot on the national singles chart in Norway.

"This [sense of swagger] isn't entirely a good thing, since it means he indulges in silliness [...]" – Stephen Thomas Erlewine, allmusic. In the early 21st century, Blender magazine published a list of the "50 worst songs of all time", with "Dancing on the Ceiling" listed at No. 20. Despite some negative views expressed since its release, the song remains a regular addition to 80's music nights at clubs and bars.

The music video was directed by Stanley Donen who also co-produced it with Glenn Goodwin through Glenn Goodwin & Associates.Michael Peters choreographed and Daniel Pearl was the director of photography. Shooting took place during three days at Laird Studios in Culver City and one day on location at the LeMondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. The video reportedly cost somewhere between $350,000 and $500,000 (or around $400,000), making it the most expensive short form music video production at the time.

In the video, which premiered on September 8, 1986, Richie and friends attend a party and dance on the ceiling reminiscent of Fred Astaire's routine in Donen's 1951 film Royal Wedding. Donen later said that Richie actually adapted easier and quicker to the rotating room used in the video than Astaire did while shooting Royal Wedding. There is also a reference in the video to The Seven Year Itch when air blows a woman's skirt over her head. At the end Rodney Dangerfield and Cheech Marin make cameo appearances. The video also features dancer Diane Alexander, who would later become Richie's second wife.


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