Explore Black History

1986

A long-playing record of the album Dancing on the Ceiling. This object is comprised of a long-playing record (a) recorded by Lionel Richie, an album jacket (b) and a paper sleeve (c). The vinyl disc (a) has a round blue and white label. The bottom two-thirds of the label is blue with white text. The top third depicts a road map around the Detroit area in blue and white. Superimposed over the map is the word [MOTOWN] in rainbow colors. The jacket (b) cover depicts a photographic image of Richie shown from the waist up. He wears a white coat over a white button-down shirt layered over a grey shirt. His right arm is held across his middle. Across the top margin, in white, text reads [LIONIEL RICHIE]. In the upper right corner next to the Richie’s head in multicolored letters is the text [Dancing / on the / Ceiling]. The jacket opens like a book to reveal a full-length photographic image of the Richie, spread across the two leaves. He is wearing a long grey overcoat over white pants and white button-down shirt and a grey shirt. He wears off-white loafers. He stands with his feet apart and his hands in his pockets. The back of the jacket shows Richie wearing the same long gray overcoat over white shirt and pants. He stands with his eyes closed and his left hand in the air. There is a list of songs along the bottom half of the jacket’s left margin. The paper sleeve (c) has a white background with pale blue text on both the front and back. The text is arranged in columns and is lyrics to the songs and album production information. The album's release number is 6158 ML.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Record Albums

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2015.189.28abc

record covers
long-playing records

© 1986 Motown Record Corp.
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

(a. record): vinyl with ink on paper
(b. jacket): ink on paper
(c. sleeve): ink on paper

Diameter (a. record): 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm)
H x W (b. jacket): 12 1/4 × 12 1/4 in. (31.1 × 31.1 cm)
H x W (c. sleeve): 11 7/8 × 11 7/8 in. (30.2 × 30.2 cm)

Title • Dancing on the Ceiling

nmaahc_2015.189.28abc

NMAAHC

DANCING ON THE CEILING

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1980s

Motown Record Corporation • Walden, Narada Michael • Richie, Lionel • Carmichael, James Anthony

United States • North and Central America

Music • Singers (Musicians) • Rhythm and blues (Music)

Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Phonograph records • Record covers

Images

Use Restricted