"Truly" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter Lionel Richie. Resuming where he left off with D-flat major tunes "Sail On" and particularly "Still" when he was lead for the Commodores, Richie wrote the song and co-produced it with James Anthony Carmichael.
Released as the first single from his self-titled debut album in 1982, "Truly" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on 9 October 1982 and climbed to No. 1 on 27 November – 4 December 1982. It also spent four weeks at No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart,Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications) and logged nine weeks at No. 2 on the R&B chart, behind Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing". In addition, "Truly" made the top 10 in United Kingdom, where the song peaked at No. 6. The song won a Grammy Award for Richie in the category Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Billboard called it a "moving ballad with all the drama and poignance of 'Still', 'Three Times a Lady' and 'Endless Love'."
Music video In the music video for "Truly", Lionel Richie performs the song live on a piano.
Track listing 7" single "Truly" "Just Put Some Love in Your Heart"
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1982–1983)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)7Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)16South Africa (Springbok)9
Year-end charts Chart (1982) PositionCanada (RPM)38
Chart (1983) PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)35US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)47
Certifications
Steven Houghton version
British singer and actor Steven Houghton released a cover version of "Truly" in March 1998 which reached the top 30 of the UK Singles Chart. The song was played in the series 10 finale of London's Burning, in which Houghton starred in.
Track listing CD single "Truly" – 3:20 "Wind Beneath My Wings" – 4:30
Charts Chart (1998)PeakpositionUK Singles (OCC)23
Other cover versions 2009: Freestyle on their 2009 album Playlist. 2013: Richard Poon on his 2013 album Legends.
See also List of number-one singles of 1982 (Canada) List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1982 List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 1982
References
External links List of cover versions of "Truly" at SecondHandSongs.com