Lionel Richie Reveals His Grandmother Hated This Hit Song

Lionel Richie shared a surprising family story about his music. He said his classically trained grandmother strongly disliked one of his biggest hits. The singer revealed this during a recent television interview.

The song in question is The Commodores’ funk anthem, “Brick House.” Richie admitted his grandmother found the lyrics disgraceful at first. Her initial reaction was one of pure shock.

From “Disgraceful” to a Family Hit

Richie spoke with Good Morning America about the 1977 track. He called “Brick House” his favorite song from his time with The Commodores. He then recalled his grandmother’s harsh judgment.

He explained that he tried to defend himself to her. Richie told his grandmother it was a group song. He insisted he did not write all of the lyrics himself.

According to Billboard, Richie even agreed with her initial assessment. He confessed he thought the song was kind of disgraceful too. That feeling changed quickly once the song became a massive commercial success.

Grandmother’s Eventual Change of Heart

In a separate interview with GQ, Richie provided more details. He said his grandmother was so upset she stopped going to church for a few weeks. She was deeply embarrassed by the song’s content.

Her opinion, however, was not set in stone. Richie explained that her attitude shifted as the song’s popularity grew. The arrival of royalty checks made the hit much easier for the family to accept.

This story highlights the generational divide in music taste. It also shows how success can sometimes smooth over initial disapproval. The hit eventually became a point of family pride.

American Idol Introduces Richie to New Fans

Lionel Richie continues to reach new audiences as a judge on “American Idol.” He discussed the show’s impact in an interview with Billboard. The role has made him a star for a younger generation.

He described being recognized by children aged nine to twelve. These young fans know him primarily from the television show. This has introduced his legacy to a whole new group of listeners.

The story of “Brick House” shows how a song’s journey can be as memorable as its beat. Lionel Richie’s family anecdote adds a human layer to a classic funk track. It remains a defining hit in his legendary career.

Dropping this nugget your way

Q1: Which song did Lionel Richie’s grandmother dislike?

She strongly disliked The Commodores’ hit “Brick House.” Lionel Richie said she found the lyrics disgraceful and was initially very embarrassed by the song.

Q2: Did Lionel Richie’s grandmother ever like the song?

Yes, her opinion changed over time. According to Richie, she eventually got over her disapproval after the song became a major hit and the royalty checks started arriving.

Q3: What was Lionel Richie’s own opinion of “Brick House”?

He admitted that he also thought the song was “kind of disgraceful” at first. He changed his mind after it became a commercial success and a fan favorite.

Q4: How does Lionel Richie stay relevant with younger audiences?

He serves as a judge on the popular TV show “American Idol.” This role has introduced him to a new generation of fans who may not be familiar with his music career.

Q5: Who was Lionel Richie’s grandmother?

Her name was Adelaide Mary Brown. Richie has described her as a classically trained pianist, which explains her initial reaction to the funk song.

Trusted Sources:
Good Morning America, Billboard, GQ