| Sail On | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Commodores |
| Album: | Midnight Magic |
| Released: | 27 July 1979 [1] |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Length: | 5:32 |
| Label: | Motown |
| Producer: | James Anthony Carmichael, Commodores |
| Prev Title: | Flying High |
| Prev Year: | 1978 |
| Next Title: | Still |
| Next Year: | 1979 |
"Sail On" is a Commodores song written by Lionel Richie from their 1979 album Midnight Magic. Released as the first of three singles from the album, it was produced by both Commodores and James Anthony Carmichael. The song reached the top ten on both the US and UK music charts that same year. Richie later recorded the song with Tim McGraw for 2012's Tuskegee.[2]
Cash Box described it as "a sparkling ballad."[3] Billboard called it "a surprising country flavored ballad" and said that "the subdued backing featuring prominent guitar and keyboards and the slick country intonations to Lionel Richie's vocal carry the melody."[4] Record World called it a "beautiful, country-colored ballad."[5]
US 7" single
UK 7" single
| Chart (1979) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] | 86 | |
| Canada (RPM)[7] | 3 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 4 | |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[9] | 9 | |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] | 8 |
| Chart (1979) | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11] | 38 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 98 |
. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 72.