Behind the Music

BEHIND THE MUSIC

Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie are two well know musical artists from two totally different genres. Kenny Rogers has been in country music every since the 1960’s and is still going strong. Lionel Richie is also an artist that has been well-known since the 1980’s and has many hit albums and singles in R&B. Rogers and Richie seem to have nothing in common except they are both successful music artist, but Kenny and Lionel are more common then meet the eye. For example they both have a strong background in singing adult ballads.

Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie came from different parts of the musical spectrum but they both started the successful careers as a member of a musical group. Lionel Richie was a member of the Commodores. They went on to be one of the most successful acts on the Motown label during the later half of the ‘70s. Richie served as a saxophonists, sometime vocalist, and songwriter, penning ballads like “Easy,” Three Times a Lady,” and “Still.” Kenny Rogers, along with good friends, formed the band The First Edition. The First Edition recorded “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In).” The single became a hit in early 1968, climbing to number five. Rogers had a few more successes with the group, but like Richie he dreamed of becoming a solo artist and they both embarked on their on journeys.

The artists also have similar styles with the added country and R&B twist to it. Richie’s styles include urban, adult Contemporary, soft rock, quiet storm, and pop rock. While Roger’s style include country-pop, adult contemporary, soft rock, urban cowboy and pop/rock. Both artists had a beginning in a different genre, but there styles started to lean toward adult contemporary

ballads mixed in with country and R&B for a unique sound.

Kenny and Lionel also have the same moods and themes in their music. For example Lionel’s songs are very soothing and elegant. They are also laid-back/mellow, gentle, and passionate. Kenny’s music is also soothing and laid-back/mellow. Both artist sing songs about love and heartbreak and have female touch. Kenny and Lionel are very sentimental and romantic in the music they sing. Most of the music they record has a very intimate feel to it for example Kenny Roger’s song “When We Make Love” and Lionel Richie’s song “Tonight” both have a very intimate feel and closely relates in meaning. Kenny says in his song “…When we made love, we made love baby, we had something that nothing else could touch when we made love…” He is talking about when he and his lover are together they can be around millions of people but when they touch it is so passionate it seems like they are the only two in the room. Lionel Richie’s song “Tonight” says “…Get lost in the magic, lose control free your body, lets go feel the fire, its burning hot feel the fire, just can’t stop…” Richie is talking about getting lost in the moment of a night with his lover he is very intimate in talking about the magic of this love.

Another big thing that Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie have in common, Lionel Richie wrote the word and composed the music to a song called “Lady.” Kenny and Lionel both have albums out featuring this song. “Lady” helped both artists top the music charts. This just proves that if Lionel and Kenny can sing the same song and be successful they have a lot in common. Most artist that sing a song that a previous artist has done they usually tweak the verses to fit their own personality and genre. Kenny and Lionel sing the song exactly the same except, Lionel’s version has the rhythm & blues touch while Kenny’s has a country feel. This song proves that both men are very compassionate towards women. In the song they talk about being lost in their love and that they belong together. Kenny and Lionel obviously treasure a good relationship and want everyone to know that they love them and only them. “In my eyes I see no one else but you there is no other love and yes, oh yes, I’ll always want you near me I’ve waited for you for so long…”

“Lady” was the only song that Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie shared verbatim. Rogers and Richie don’t have to sing the same song to have the same meaning. Roger’s “Always & Forever” and Richie’s “Just for You” are perfect examples of how two people and two different songs have the same meaning. Both songs are talking about someone special that they cannot imagine their life without them in it. These songs possible were written with older couples in mind. Rogers says “… I can’t remember when you weren’t there when I didn’t care for anyone