This piece looks back at Lionel Richie's 1982 debut solo single "Truly," released after he stepped away from The Commodores to pursue a solo career. The song mattered as a turning point in Richie's career, becoming both a commercial hit and his first Grammy win, cementing his transition from group member to solo star and songwriter.

Written entirely by Richie, "Truly" topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart for four weeks and earned him the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, after five previous nominations without a win. Richie has said leaving The Commodores wasn't about seeking the spotlight but stemmed from his songwriting output exceeding what the group could use; songs such as "Three Times a Lady" and "Sail On" were originally meant for the band. He credits Kenny Rogers's request for a ballad, which became the hit "Lady," as the catalyst that convinced Motown to push him towards a solo career, leading to his self-titled 1982 debut album.