Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. (born June 20, 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama) is an… Read Full Bio ↴Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. (born June 20, 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, composer, and occasional actor. He got his start as the front man for the Commodores, a nationally popular Motown band during the 70's. They had several hits such as Easy, Three Times A Lady, and probably the Commodores' most famous hit, Brick House.

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.

Joy To The World
Lionel Richie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart
Prepare him room
Then heaven and nature sing
Then heaven and nature sing
Then heaven and heaven and nature sing

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glory of His righteousness
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
And wonders, and wonders, of his love

Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let Earth receive her King
Oh, Let every heart
Prepare him room
Then heaven and nature sing
Heaven and nature sing
Heaven and nature, let heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world
The Lord has come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart
Prepare him room
Then heaven and nature sing
Let heaven and nature sing
Let h-h-h-h-heaven and nature sing,
Heaven and nature

Heaven and nature
Joy to the world

Overall Meaning

The song "Joy to the World" is a popular and timeless Christmas song that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. In Lionel Richie's version of the song, the lyrics are a proclamation of the good news that the Lord has come and is now the King of the earth. This is a call for everyone to receive him and prepare a room in their hearts for him. The song reminds listeners that when they do so, heaven and nature will join in singing joyfully in celebration of this great event.

The lyrics of the song are a statement of faith that proclaim the truth about Jesus Christ as the savior of the world. The words "He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glory of his righteousness and wonders of his love" is a testament to the fact that Jesus is not only the King of the earth but also the loving savior who has come to redeem mankind.

In conclusion, Lionel Richie's version of "Joy to the World" is a heartfelt rendition of a timeless classic that reminds listeners of the true spirit of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ, who came to save the world.

Line by Line Meaning

Joy to the world
Let happiness spread across the world

The Lord has come
God has arrived on Earth

Let Earth receive her King
Let the world welcome its ruler

Let every heart
Everyone's heart should

Prepare him room
Make space for God in their hearts

Then heaven and nature sing
Angels and nature rejoice together

Then heaven and heaven and nature sing
Angels, the heavens, and nature altogether sing in joy

He rules the world with truth and grace
God governs the world with honesty and kindness

And makes the nations prove
And requires nations to demonstrate

The glory of His righteousness
The honor of His morality

And wonders of his love
And the astonishing proof of His love