About The Song
“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. 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.
“This [sense of swagger] isn’t entirely a good thing, since it means he indulges in silliness […]” – Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic. 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. Despite some negative views expressed since its release, the song remains a regular addition to ’80s music nights at clubs and bars.[citation needed]
Video
Lyrics
Man, what in the world is happening down here in the hall?
I wouldn’t have a clue, let’s go check this thing out
Woo!
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, oh what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Oh, what a feeling
When we’re dancing on the ceiling
Come on!
Woo!
Alright
Everybody starts to lose control when the music is right
If you see somebody hangin’ around don’t get up-tight
The only thing we wanna do tonight
Is go ’round and ’round and turn upside down
Come on let’s get down!
(Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey)
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 wanna 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, baby
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-oh-oh-oh, 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
Oh, we gonna dance all night