Ballerina Girl
Lionel Richie | Artist Essentials
First released: 1986 (year verified)
Original 1986 studio recording
MusicAtlas editorial note: The small opening gestures make the slowly expanding ballad arrangement easy to follow.
YouTube opens a title-and-artist search. The selected recording and date are identified below.
Release evidence and recording details
First released: 1986 (year verified)
The original recording is documented in the 1986 release history of Dancing on the Ceiling. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.
Recording: Original 1986 studio recording
Credit: Lionel Richie
Role in this collection: Primary artist
Original album: Dancing on the Ceiling
Dancing on the Ceiling - original program
The original 1986 program identifies the title, Ballerina Girl, Love Will Conquer All and Se La. The inherited 1986 Say You, Say Me field is superseded by its explicit 1985 recording metadata. | Reviewed 2026-10-18
In the yearly lists
These are listening-list appearances, separate from the first-release date.
About Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie is a singer and songwriter from Tuskegee, Alabama, whose work combines soul, pop and touches of country. He first developed his recording career as a saxophonist, singer and writer with the Commodores. Writing Lady for Kenny Rogers and recording Endless Love with Diana Ross preceded his self-titled solo album. Can't Slow Down brought together the ballad Hello and the rhythmic All Night Long (All Night). His later album Tuskegee revisited established songs as duets with country performers.
Artist background sources
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Lionel Richie, 2022 induction essay
Herb Powell essay supports Tuskegee origins, musical blend, Commodores history, named solo works and later duet project; solo profile does not absorb group or duet credits. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
Continue listening
Recommended positions express one editorial listening sequence. They are not measured quality scores.
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.