Three Times a Lady
"Three Times a Lady" is a soul ballad written by Lionel Richie and originally performed by the American R&B group the Commodores, released as the lead single from their 1978 album Natural High.[1] The song, which features Richie's heartfelt lead vocals, was inspired by a toast his father made to his mother, praising her roles as a wife, mother, and friend, and was composed in just 20 minutes on a university campus piano.[2] Upon release in June 1978, it became the Commodores' first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart for two weeks in August and also reaching number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart.[3][1] In the United Kingdom, the track debuted on the Official Singles Chart on August 5, 1978, ascending to number one for five weeks and spending 14 weeks in the Top 100.[4] It earned Grammy Award nominations in 1979 for Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus, underscoring its critical acclaim as a timeless romantic ode.[5] The song's enduring popularity is evident in its ranking as the second-biggest song of summer 1978 on the Billboard Hot 100 and its continued performance in Richie’s solo repertoire and various covers over the decades.[6]Origins
Inspiration and Writing
The inspiration for "Three Times a Lady" stemmed from a personal family milestone in 1977, when Lionel Richie attended his parents' 37th wedding anniversary celebration. During the event, his father delivered an emotional toast to his mother, Alberta, praising her as "a great lady, a great mother, and a great wife," which deeply moved Richie and led him to contemplate the supportive roles of women in his own life.[2][7] Richie composed the song in just 20 minutes on a piano at Tuskegee University.[2] He dedicated the song to two significant women in his life: his mother and his then-wife, Brenda Harvey, framing it as a tribute to their enduring love and sacrifices. This dedication mirrors the structure of his father's toast, rephrasing elements of appreciation—such as expressions of love, thanks, and happiness—into the chorus's repeated refrain of "thank you" and "I love you," underscoring themes of gratitude and affection.[7][8] Initially, Richie wrote the ballad with Frank Sinatra in mind, intending it as an elegant standard suited to the singer's sophisticated style rather than the Commodores' funk-oriented sound. However, the band's producer, James Carmichael, recognized its potential for the group and persuaded Richie to adapt and retain it, shifting its arrangement to fit their ensemble while preserving its intimate essence.[9][8] The song's lyrical structure unfolds as a sentimental ballad in 3/4 waltz time, with verses building emotional depth through personal reflections and a chorus that reinforces the "once, twice, three times a lady" motif to evoke timeless devotion. Richie penned it in 1978 amid sessions for the Commodores' sixth album, Natural High, where it emerged as a pivotal, heartfelt contribution.[9][7]Recording
"Three Times a Lady" was recorded in 1978 at Motown Recording Studios in Hollywood, California, for the Commodores' sixth studio album, Natural High, which was released in May 1978.[10][11] The track was produced by James Anthony Carmichael, with Lionel Richie delivering lead vocals, playing piano, and contributing to the arrangement.[12][11] The Commodores' lineup featured Thomas McClary on guitar, Milan Williams on keyboards, Ronald LaPread on bass, William King on trumpet, and Walter Orange on drums; Carmichael also arranged the strings and horns.[11] Musically, the song is a slow-tempo ballad characterized by orchestral strings that underscore Richie's soulful vocal performance, supported by minimalistic instrumentation to emphasize the emotional depth of the lyrics.[10] Serving as the opening track on Natural High, it signified a notable shift in the Commodores' sound toward more ballad-focused compositions within their funk and soul repertoire.[10]Release and Promotion
Single Release
"Three Times a Lady" was released as a single by Motown Records in the United States on June 8, 1978, serving as the lead single from the Commodores' sixth studio album, Natural High.[12] The song was issued primarily as a 7-inch vinyl single, with the B-side featuring "Look What You've Done to Me," a track from the band's 1975 album Caught in the Act.[13] Internationally, the single followed in July 1978 with a release in the United Kingdom via Motown (catalog TMG 1113), and subsequent distributions in Australia, Canada, and various European markets throughout the year. In the UK, the B-side was "Can't Let You Tease Me."[14] Initial airplay targeted R&B and adult contemporary radio stations, aligning with the song's soulful ballad style and broad appeal.[15]Promotion
Motown launched a promotional campaign for "Three Times a Lady" that emphasized its potential for crossover success, blending the Commodores' R&B roots with pop balladry to appeal to broader audiences beyond traditional soul listeners. The strategy highlighted the song's emotional lyrics and Lionel Richie's heartfelt delivery, positioning it as a universal tribute to women, which contributed to its chart dominance across pop, R&B, and adult contemporary formats. This approach marked a shift for Motown in the late 1970s, as the label sought to expand its market amid changing musical tastes. The single's rollout included key live television performances to build visibility. The Commodores performed the track on The Midnight Special in 1979, delivering a live rendition that showcased the group's harmonies and stage presence. Additional appearances followed on Soul Train in December 1979, where they performed the song alongside other hits from the Natural High album, further solidifying its exposure on Black-oriented programming. These TV spots were integral to Motown's efforts to generate buzz through visual media. Radio promotion focused on securing airplay by underscoring the ballad's sentimental depth, with stations across pop and R&B formats quickly adding it to playlists. The push resulted in rapid ascent to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where it held the number-one position for two weeks starting August 12, 1978. In 1978, no official music video was produced, as the format was not yet established—MTV would not launch until 1981—but archival live footage from performances like The Midnight Special has since been used in compilations and documentaries. Promotion tied directly into the Commodores' 1978 Platinum Tour, supporting the Natural High album with U.S. dates that featured "Three Times a Lady" as a centerpiece. Motown issued special promo packages, including compilation records of hits from the album and prior releases, distributed to hype the tour's high-energy sets blending funk and ballads. The tour extended to the UK in late 1978, capitalizing on the single's international momentum.Commercial Success
Chart Performance
"Three Times a Lady" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 73 on June 17, 1978, and climbed steadily to reach number 1 on August 12, where it held the top position for two consecutive weeks. The single spent a total of 26 weeks on the Hot 100 chart.[15] It also topped the US R&B Singles chart (then known as Hot Soul Singles) for two weeks and the US Adult Contemporary chart for three weeks, marking the Commodores' first number-one hits across all three major US charts.[15] In the United Kingdom, the song entered the Official Singles Chart on August 5, 1978, and ascended to number 1, maintaining the position for five weeks during September and October.[4] It remained on the UK chart for 14 weeks in total.[4] The track achieved number-one status in several other countries, including Canada, where it topped the RPM Singles Chart for four weeks; Australia, leading the Kent Music Report for five weeks; and Ireland, holding number 1 for three weeks on the Irish Singles Chart.[16][17][18] In New Zealand, it peaked at number 2.[18] For year-end rankings in 1978, "Three Times a Lady" placed at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 8 in Australia, and number 10 in Canada.[16]| Chart (1978) | Peak Position | Weeks at No. 1 | Total Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 1 | 2 | 26 |
| US R&B Singles | 1 | 2 | - |
| US Adult Contemporary | 1 | 3 | - |
| UK Singles Chart | 1 | 5 | 14 |
| Canadian RPM Singles | 1 | 4 | 19 |
| Australian Kent Report | 1 | 5 | - |
| Irish Singles Chart | 1 | 3 | - |
| New Zealand Singles | 2 | - | - |