It’s been a year-and-a-half since I’ve played this one and … well, I think we could all use this upbeat tune tonight, and the bit of silliness that comes with … Dancing on the Ceiling!

I initially had a different song on the schedule … a real downer, but a good song nonetheless.  Then last night, a friend suggested that to pick my mood up, instead of listening to sad music, I might try Lionel Richie’s Dancing on the Ceiling.  I did, and it worked … who can cry when they’re listening to this?  I figured you guys could use a little pick-me-up too, so here it is!  I do have one question, though … how the heck does he dance on the walls and the ceiling?  I was going to try it, but … gravity stepped in and I figured I might end up with some broken bones.

Written by Richie, Mike Frenchik, and Carlos Rios, the song became a worldwide top ten hit, but not everyone liked it.  Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine said …

“This isn’t entirely a good thing, since it means he indulges in silliness …”

Since when is a bit of silliness not a good thing?  Methinks Mr. Erlewine needs to lighten up a bit.  Apparently there were others who felt the same, though, for Blender magazine published a list of the “50 worst songs of all time”, with Dancing on the Ceiling listed at No. 20.

It is said that this video cost $400,000 to make!

Dancing on the Ceiling
Lionel Richie

What is happening here
Something’s going on that’s not quite clear
Somebody turn on the lights
We’re gonna have a party
It’s starting tonight

Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling

The room is hot and that’s good
Some of my friends came by from the neighborhood
The people startin’ a climb the walls
Ooh it looks like everybody is having a ball

Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling

Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling

Come on!

Everybody start to lose control
When the music is right
If you see somebody hangin’ around
Don’t get uptight
The only thing we want to do tonight
Is go ’round and ’round
And turn upside down
Come on! Let’s get down!

So come on! Let’s get loose
Don’t hold back
‘Cause ain’t no use
Hard to keep your feet on the ground
‘Cause when we like to party
We only want to get down

Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling

Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling

Say what?
Can’t stop now
Just getting started
Everybody clap your hands
Come on
Everybody let’s dance

Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling

Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling baby baby
We gonna dance all night

Songwriters: Lionel B. Jr. Richie / Michael Henry Jr. Frenchik / Carlos Manuel Rios
Dancing on the Ceiling lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc