Truly
Lionel Richie
1983
Annual listening-list association, not an original-release-date field. Original release year reconciled with reviewed recording-specific Artist Essentials evidence in v3.6.
Release: 1982
Release: 1982Source checked | Recent carryover
V3.6 reconciles the original release year with the reviewed Artist Essentials entry for this exact retained recording ID. Year precision is used; an album-first release is not silently replaced by a later single, reissue or annual-list year. The original recording is documented in the 1982 release history of Lionel Richie. Only year precision is assigned; later singles, charts, remasters and live versions do not establish its first release.
The large badge identifies this listening list, not a newly issued recording. Later reissues and renewed chart popularity do not replace an original release date. How years are assigned.
Lionel Richie - original Motown program
The original 1982 program identifies Truly, You Are and My Love, with Truly's preceding same-year single field. The January 1 album placeholder is used only for year precision, and the 2015 package copyright is not an original date.
About Lionel Richie
Song-specific inspiration or recording background is not established for this entry. This sourced artist profile provides career context.
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.
Retained annual-list context
Truly by Lionel Richie appears at number 47 in the reviewed U.S. year-end table for 1983. No reliable song-specific account of its inspiration was established in this review.
Annual-list context only; songwriting inspiration remains unestablished
Billboard year-end 1983 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual identity reconciliation, not audio-fingerprint or exact-pressing verification. Version labels are catalog safeguards.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-backed annual association (secondary source; not a complete discographic review)
Editorial artist-repertoire classification
Billboard year-end 1983 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
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1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.