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.
SWEET LOVE
Lionel Richie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show me a mountain so high
I'll show you love that'll last forever
Flying high, so high
Ah, show me a place where dreams are for dreamers
And all the things you wish come true, yeah
I'd wish the world had all happy people
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sweet love
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sweet love
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh
Woo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo,
Sweet, sweet love
Sun shines over the rainbow
High on a hill
Take a ride on a magic carpet
And you know its for real
The world is filled with all the lonely people
Trying to find their way
All they need is a hand to guide them
To a brighter day
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sweet love (sweet, sweet love)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (well, well)
Sweet love (sweet, sweet love)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Woo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, yeah
Sweet love
Sweet love that comes through the ages
Reach out and touch my soul
Gave my life so much meaning
And everyone a heart of gold
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
Sweet love (well, well, well)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (sweet, sweet, sweet love)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (sweet sweet, sweet sweet love)
Ooo ooo
Oh you needed love (ohh sweet love)
Sweet, sweet love
(Ohh ohh) Sweet love
I know you're searchin'
I know you're searchin', for a little love
A little peace and understanding
And I know it's been hard tryin' to find your way
But you got to keep on searchin' harder day by day
'Cause I want you, and you, you, you, you, you, you, you you and you
To stand on up, yes sir
Put a little love in your heart
And little heart in your love
Together we can make a way
Listen to me
Don't wonder to hard ah, of what I trying to say
'Cause it's love, love's the only way
Oh, nothin' but love
Oh oh (Love)
Sweet love (Sweet love, ow)
Oh, oh, oh, (When you're down and out and you can't see your way)
Sweet love (And you need a friend, well-ell-ell)
Oh, oh, oh, (Just call on love, love)
Sweet love (Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love)
The lyrics of Lionel Richie's "Sweet Love" express his desire to show love that will last forever. He starts with a request to be shown a river that's so deep and a mountain so high, and states that he will show someone love that will last forever. He then wants to be shown a place where dreams come true and wishes that the world was filled with happy people, so there would be no need for any more wishing. He notes how loneliness is widespread in the world and how all people need is a hand to guide them to a brighter day. He concludes that sweet love that lasts through the passage of time is all that people need.
The central message of the song is love as the only constant and the greatest need of people. Lionel Richie's vocals and the lyrics combine to create an atmosphere of hope and optimism in a world of loneliness and despair. The song advocates for the importance of spreading love and helping others, emphasizing the role of individual responsibility in creating happiness and positivity in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Show me a river that's so deep
I want to see something that is deep like a river
Show me a mountain so high
I want to see something that is tall like a mountain
I'll show you love that'll last forever
I will show you a love that will never end
Flying high, so high
I am feeling great and happy
Ah, show me a place where dreams are for dreamers
I want to see a place where people can dream without limits
And all the things you wish come true, yeah
In that place, all of your wishes will come true
I'd wish the world had all happy people
I hope that everyone in the world is happy
Then there'd be no more wishing to do
If everyone was happy, there would be no more desires or dreams left unfulfilled
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
This is a sound of excitement, like cheering
Sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Sun shines over the rainbow
The sun is shining, and a rainbow has appeared
High on a hill
Up on the top of a hill
Take a ride on a magic carpet
Go on a fantastical journey on a flying carpet
And you know it's for real
This is happening in reality and is not imaginary
The world is filled with all the lonely people
Many individuals in the world feel very alone and isolated
Trying to find their way
They are attempting to figure out their purpose in life and what makes them happy
All they need is a hand to guide them
They require supportive and caring individuals to provide guidance
To a brighter day
This guidance will help them find a better future
Woo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, yeah
This is another expression of excitement, like cheering
Sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Sweet love that comes through the ages
This is everlasting love that lasts forever
Reach out and touch my soul
I want to establish an emotional connection with you
Gave my life so much meaning
You are so important to me, and you make my life worthwhile
And everyone a heart of gold
Everyone has a kind and generous heart if they are willing to open it up
Oh, oh, oh, oh,
This is another sound of excitement, like cheering
Sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
This is another sound of excitement, like cheering
Sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
This is another sound of excitement, like cheering
Ooo ooo
This is another expression of excitement, like cheering
Oh you needed love (ohh sweet love)
You require love in your life
Sweet, sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
(Ohh ohh) Sweet love
Love that is pleasant and delightful
I know you're searchin'
I understand that you are looking for something
I know you're searchin', for a little love
You are looking for a little bit of love
A little peace and understanding
You are seeking peace and the ability to understand things better
And I know it's been hard tryin' to find your way
You have been struggling to find your path in life
But you got to keep on searchin' harder day by day
You have to keep searching every day, even when it's difficult
'Cause I want you, and you, you, you, you, you, you, you you and you
I want you and everyone to understand these important messages
To stand on up, yes sir
I want you to stand up and take action
Put a little love in your heart
Have a little more compassion and kindness towards others
And little heart in your love
Put some emotional depth into your caring actions
Together we can make a way
We can create a path towards a better world if we work together
Listen to me
Pay attention to my words
Don't wonder to hard ah, of what I trying to say
Don't worry too much about what I am trying to communicate
'Cause it's love, love's the only way
I am saying that love is the most important thing
Oh, nothin' but love
The only thing that truly matters is love
Oh oh (Love)
This is another expression of the power of love
Sweet love (Sweet love, ow)
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Oh, oh, oh,
This is another sound of excitement, like cheering
When you're down and out and you can't see your way
During challenging times, when you can't figure out what to do
Sweet love (And you need a friend, well-ell-ell)
Love that is pleasant and delightful and the support of a close friend
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
This is another sound of excitement, like cheering
Sweet love (Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love)
Love that is pleasant and delightful
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY BIAS, ANITA BAKER, LOUIS A JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tibbs2105
Show me a river that's so deep
Show me a mountain so high
I'll show you love that'll last forever
Flying high, so high
Ah, show me a place where dreams are for dreamers
And all the things you wish come true, yeah
I'd wish the world had all happy people
Then there'd be no more wishing to do
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (Sweet)
Sweet love (Sweet love)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (Well, well)
Sweet love (Sweet, sweet love)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh
Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, ooh?well
Sweet love
Sweet love that comes through the ages
Reach out and touch my soul
Gave my life so much meaning
And everyone a heart of gold
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love)
(Oh, you needed love)
(Ooh?hoo?)
Sweet love (Sweet, sweet love)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Sweet love (Sweet love, well)
I know you're searchin'
I know you're searchin' for a little love
A little peace and understandin'
And I know it's been hard tryin' to find your way
But you got to keep on searchin' harder day by day
'Cause it's love, love's the only way
(Oh, nothin' but love)
Oh?oh? (Love)
Sweet love (Sweet love, ow)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (When you're down and out and you can't see your way)
Sweet love (And you need a friend, well-ell-ell)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (Just call on love, love)
Sweet love (Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love)
@congroypadilla166
2023 and we are still hear listening to The BEST. Long live the Commodores ๐
@joehartley7276
Love Lionel, I grew up with all the Motown music and I'm 72 and still loving it
@debbnano
Married July 1976 (now divorced, sadly after 27 years) this was "our" song. I swear I can still FEEL our bodies swaying in dance to this at the club! LOVE OF MY LIFE. ๐ฅ Amazing song. They just dont make them like this anymore.
@derrickthompson5736
i was widowed after 27 years, her name was Deborah. and this was our song too!
@yvettejirsaraie5185
Your first love was our Creator. Not man. How could those marriages have survived? We saw our relatives committing Adultery, fornication, and everything against the teachings of Jesus Christ. But now, we have returned, and the yoke of bondage has been lifted! Rejoice!
@derrickthompson5736
@@yvettejirsaraie5185 Well thank you for your blessing, but I was referring to my 1st love/Man-to-woman. But thanks for the spiritiual encouragement.
@michaelmurdock5749
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@sherriwilliams2712
We married in July 1976, also...July 31st...we're still married. Praise God! โคโคโคโคโค
@helenbestman5338
Dang!
Was ten when this came out. Now 53 and loving it. Commodores yeah baby!
@clarenceayers4291
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