"Sail On" is a Commodores song written by Lionel Richie from their 1979 album Midnight Magic. Released as the first of three singles from the album, it was produced by both Commodores and James Anthony Carmichael. The song reached the top ten on both the US and UK music charts that same year. "Sail On" got as high as #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart while it made it all the way to #1 on the Cash Box Top 100 singles chart. Richie later recorded the song with Tim McGraw for 2012's Tuskegee.
Cash Box described it as "a sparkling ballad." Billboard called it "a surprising country flavored ballad" and said that "the subdued backing featuring prominent guitar and keyboards and the slick country intonations to Lionel Richie's vocal carry the melody." Record World called it a "beautiful, country-colored ballad."
Track listings US 7" single "Sail On" – 3:57 "Thumpin' Music" – 3:24
UK 7" single "Sail On" – 3:57 "Captain Quick Draw" – 3:00
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1979)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)86Canada (RPM)3US Billboard Hot 1004US Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Top 100 Singles, October 20, 19791US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 9US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) 8
Year-end charts Chart (1979)PositionNetherlands (Dutch Top 40)38US Billboard Hot 10098
References
External links List of cover versions of "Sail On" at SecondHandSongs.com