"Ballerina Girl" | ||||
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Single by Lionel Richie | ||||
from the album Dancing on the Ceiling | ||||
B-side | "Deep River Woman" | |||
Released | November 1986 | |||
Recorded | Winter 1985 | |||
Genre | Soul | |||
Length | 3:36 | |||
Label | Motown | |||
Songwriter(s) | Lionel Richie | |||
Producer(s) | Lionel Richie James Anthony Carmichael | |||
Lionel Richie singles chronology | ||||
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Audio | ||||
"Ballerina Girl" on YouTube |
"Ballerina Girl" is a 1986 song written and recorded by Lionel Richie. The song is a track from his Dancing on the Ceiling album. "Ballerina Girl" peaked at number five on the soul charts.[1] The song was also the last of Richie's eleven number ones on the Adult Contemporary charts, spending four weeks on top. "Ballerina Girl" peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100[2] in early 1987.
In the US and Canada, the song was released as a double A-side, with Deep River Woman entering the charts in January 1987.
The song was written for Lionel's daughter, Nicole.[3][4][5]
In the music video Richie plays the song on a piano in a ballet school, while young ballet students dance.[6]
7" Single
Chart (1986–1987) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] | 43 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[8] | 22 |
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[9] | 1 |
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] | 10 |
France (SNEP)[11] | 18 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[12] | 66 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] | 35 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] | 39 |
South Africa (Springbok SA Top 20) | 24 |
UK Singles (OCC)[15] | 17 |
US Billboard Hot 100[16] | 7 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[17] | 1 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[18] | 5 |
Chart (1987) | Position |
---|---|
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[19] | 79 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)[20] | 90 |
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[21] | 95 |