"Dancing on the Ceiling" is a song by American singer-songwriter
Lionel Richie. It was written by Richie, Mike Frenchik, and Carlos Rios for Richie's third studio album
of the same name (1986), while production was helmed by Richie and James Anthony Carmichael.[1] Released as the album's leading single, it became a worldwide hit, reaching top five in Sweden and Belgium as well as peaking on the top spot on the national singles chart in
Norway. It peaked at number two on the US
Billboard Hot 100 in September 1986.
Reception
"This [sense of swagger] isn't entirely a good thing, since it means he indulges in silliness [...]" – Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
AllMusic.[1] In the early 21st century, Blender magazine published a list of the "50 worst songs of all time", with "Dancing on the Ceiling" listed at No. 20.[2] Despite some negative views expressed since its release, the song remains a regular addition to '80s music nights at clubs and bars.[citation needed]
Personnel
Lionel Richie – lead vocals, rhythm and vocal arrangements
Maxi Anderson, Billie Barnum, Melinda Chatman, David Cochrane, Kevin Dorsey, Karen Jackson, Marlena Jeter, Fred Law, Janice Marie, Brenda Richie, Anita Sherman, Karen Siegel, Alfie Silas, Phyllis St. James, Stephanie Taylor, Deborah Thomas,
Carmen Twillie, Julia Waters Tillman and Maxine Waters Willard – backing vocals
James Anthony Carmichael, David Egerton, Wayne Hargrave, Linda Jenner, Steve MacMillan,
Greg Phillinganes, Kathi Pogoda, Cheryl Pyle, Carlos Rios, Maximo Rios, Dave Rosen, Kelly Ryan and Wibert Terrell – hoopa hollers
Music video
The accompanying
music video for "Dancing on the Ceiling" was directed by
Stanley Donen who also co-produced it with Glenn Goodwin through Glenn Goodwin & Associates.[3]Michael Peters choreographed[4] and
Daniel Pearl was the director of photography.[5] Shooting took place during three days at Laird Studios in
Culver City and one day on location at the
LeMondrian Hotel in
West Hollywood.[3] The video reportedly cost somewhere between $350,000 and $500,000[4] (or around $400,000), making it the most expensive short form music video production at the time.[3]
In the video, which premiered on September 8, 1986,[6] Richie and friends attend a party and dance on the ceiling reminiscent of
Fred Astaire's routine in Donen's 1951 film Royal Wedding.[3] Donen later said that Richie actually adapted easier and quicker to the rotating room used in the video than Astaire did while shooting Royal Wedding.[7] There is also a reference in the video to The Seven Year Itch when air blows a woman's skirt over her head. At the end
Rodney Dangerfield and
Cheech Marin make cameo appearances.[4] The video also features dancer Diane Alexander, who would later become Richie's second wife.[8][9]
In the fall of 1986
HBO aired a half-hour TV special, Lionel Richie: The Making of Dancing on the Ceiling, directed by Sandra Hay and Alan J. Kozlowski, which takes a look at behind the scenes of the music video shoot. This documentary was also released on VHS and LaserDisc by Lorimar Home Video, and later as a hidden extra on Richie's The Definitive Collection DVD.
^Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 25.
ISBN0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by
ARIA between 1983 and 26 June 1988.
^Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 27, 1986). "1986 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. p. Y-21. {{
cite magazine}}: |last1= has generic name (
help)