Richie quit the band in 1981 for a solo career. He released his self-titled debut in 1982. The album hit No. 3 on the charts and sold over 4 million copies. His follow up album, Can't Slow Down, sold over twice as many copies and won the Grammy for Album of the Year in '84. His third album, '86's Dancing on the Ceiling spawned such hits as Say You, Say Me, Dancing on the Ceiling, and Se La, but would be the end of his commercial success.
His 90's albums such as Back to Front, Louder Than Words, and Time all failed to achieve the previous decade's commercial success. Some of his recent work, such as the album Renaissance, has returned to his older style, hoping to achieve more success.
Ball And Chain
Lionel Richie Lyrics
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Trying not to fool myself, and realize
Times are getting harder for us to get along
Everything about this love is all going wrong
You keep on telling me to do this, do that
And I need to change my ways
But I think that maybe the price of this love
Is too high to pay
Ball and chain, is the feeling that I am feeling tonight
When love's a ball and chain
It don't matter who's wrong or right
I keep on living in confusion, wondering where I am at
Trying to figure out if I should do this thing or that
I can't see the future, and I can't change the past
But I'm feeling that this love of ours just ain't gonna last
I've been down one time, two times, three times, fou
I've been waiting for times to get better
And I can't take it no more
Ball and chain, that's the feeling that I am feeling tonight
This love's a ball and chain
It don't matter who's wrong or right
Time, I would love for time to be on our side
But I know that this love affair is all over now
Ball and chain, it's a feeling that I am feeling tonight
This love's a ball and chain
It don't matter who's wrong or right
This love's a ball and chain
It's a feeling that I am feeling inside
When love's a ball and chain
It don't matter who's wrong or right
In Lionel Richie's song "Ball and Chain," the singer is reflecting on the struggles in his relationship. He finds himself looking in the mirror, trying not to fool himself and come to terms with the fact that times are getting harder for them to get along. The theme of the song revolves around the feeling of being tied down or trapped in a relationship that feels like a "ball and chain." Despite their efforts to work on the relationship, they keep "telling [him] to do this, do that," and he's unsure if it's worth it anymore. The singer is hoping for time to be on their side, but ultimately, he knows that the love affair is over.
The lyrics express the challenges and complexities of relationships. The feeling of being tied down and trapped is relatable to many, and Richie's song captures the emotional struggles that come with a failing relationship. The repetition of "ball and chain" emphasizes the suffocating feeling of being in a love that may no longer be worth the cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am standing in the mirror, looking in my eyes
I am examining myself, trying to see if I'm fooling myself with this relationship.
Trying not to fool myself, and realize
I don't want to deceive myself about the state of our love.
Times are getting harder for us to get along
Our relationship is becoming increasingly difficult and strained.
Everything about this love is all going wrong
Our love is unraveling and coming undone.
You keep on telling me to do this, do that
You constantly criticize me and try to change me.
And I need to change my ways
I realize that I need to make some changes in my behavior.
But I think that maybe the price of this love
I'm starting to believe that the cost of loving you is too high.
Is too high to pay
I don't think I can sustain this relationship any longer.
Ball and chain, is the feeling that I am feeling tonight
I feel trapped and weighed down by this love.
When love's a ball and chain
Our relationship has become a burden and is holding me back.
It don't matter who's wrong or right
It's not about who's at fault, the relationship is still suffocating.
I keep on living in confusion, wondering where I am at
I'm struggling to understand my place in this love and my feelings towards you.
Trying to figure out if I should do this thing or that
I'm attempting to discern the course of action that will benefit us both.
I can't see the future, and I can't change the past
I can't predict what's going to happen, and I can't fix what's already happened.
But I'm feeling that this love of ours just ain't gonna last
I'm sensing that our love is coming to an end.
I've been down one time, two times, three times, fou
I've been through difficult times and setbacks, and it's starting to take its toll.
I've been waiting for times to get better
I've been hoping that our luck would change and that our love would improve.
And I can't take it no more
I'm at my breaking point in this relationship and I can't take it anymore.
Time, I would love for time to be on our side
If only we had more time, maybe we could salvage our relationship.
But I know that this love affair is all over now
I've accepted that our love has ended, and it's time to move on.
This love's a ball and chain
Our love has become a burden and is holding me back.
It's a feeling that I am feeling inside
I'm experiencing this feeling of being trapped and suffocated by our love.
When love's a ball and chain
Our relationship has become a burden and is holding me back.
It don't matter who's wrong or right
It's not about who's at fault, the relationship is still suffocating.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LIONEL RICHIE, JOHN DIXON, DAVID BRADLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind