Penny Lover

Album: Can't Slow Down (1983)
Charted: 18 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this romantic ballad, Richie reminisces about how he met his lover and hopes she'll never leave him. It was co-written by his then-wife Brenda Harvey-Richie, making the single his first solo #1 (on the Adult Contemporary chart) to credit a co-writer.
  • The music video, helmed by "Hello" director Bob Giraldi, casts Richie as a nightclub owner who recalls his affair with a cocktail waitress named Penny, who ended up leaving him for her domineering boyfriend.
  • This also peaked at #8 on the R&B chart.
  • The Band Perry sang a country version of this in 2012 for the televised concert ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends In Concert.
  • This was used in the 1985 Rob Reiner movie The Sure Thing, starring John Cusack.

Comments: 2

  • Mickey from NebraskaMany of the 80’s songs transport me, in my head, back to different times of my life. “Penny Lover” takes me to a lost love, one I thought I’d marry. But I thought incorrectly.
  • Claudette from Clearwater FloridaI plan on reading the words to this song tot he love of you life. The day I become his wife.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.