Ballerina Girl
| "Ballerina Girl" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Lionel Richie | ||||
| from the album Dancing on the Ceiling | ||||
| B-side | "Deep River Woman" | |||
| Released | December 19, 1986 | |||
| Recorded | Winter 1985 | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 3:36 | |||
| Label | Motown | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Lionel Richie | |||
| Producer(s) | Lionel Richie James Anthony Carmichael | |||
| Lionel Richie singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Ballerina Girl" is a 1986 song written and recorded by Lionel Richie. The song is a track from Richie's Dancing on the Ceiling album. "Ballerina Girl" peaked at number five on the soul charts.[1] The song was also the last of Richie's eleven number ones on the Adult Contemporary charts, spending four weeks on top. "Ballerina Girl" peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100[2] in early 1987.
The song was written for Lionel's adopted daughter, Nicole.[3][4][5]
Music video[]
In the music video Richie plays the song on a piano in a ballet school, while young ballet students dance.[6]
Track listings[]
7" Single
- "Ballerina Girl" - 3:36
- "Deep River Woman" - 4:35
Charts[]
| Chart (1986/87) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 43 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 7 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart | 17 |
| German Singles Chart | 66 |
| French Singles Chart | 18 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 39 |
| South Africa (Springbok SA Top 20) | 24 |
| Year-end chart (1987) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[8] | 95 |
Cover versions[]
- 1997: Steve Winwood
- 2000: Luther Vandross
References[]
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 492.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 204.
- ^ "Lionel Richie reflects on his life, career and new album". MSNBC on NBC News. Deborah Norville Tonight - May 10, 2004.
- ^ "25 Things You Don't Know About Me: Nicole Richie". Us Weekly. September 22, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
- ^ "Paris Hilton's Birthday Message to Nicole Richie Will Make You Yearn for The Simple Life". People.
- ^ "Lionel Richie - Ballerina Girl". Youtube.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 99 (52). December 26, 1987.
External links[]
Categories:
- 1980s ballads
- 1986 singles
- 1987 singles
- Lionel Richie songs
- Songs written by Lionel Richie
- Song recordings produced by James Anthony Carmichael
- 1980s single stubs