This was written for an album released in 1979, he didn't leave the Commodores until 1982, so I don't think it was about leaving his band. He married in 1975 and divorced in 1983, so again, I don't think it was about his future divorce which happened 4 years after he released the song. As far as who or what he was referring to when he wrote it..I dont' know.
@jay1097718, according to a guy named "Dug," from Manitoba, he writes, "This song was in fact, composed by Lionel Richie, after meeting up with a childhood friend, in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he grew up. His friend had just broken up with his wife, and the two sat up through the night, discussing his situation. A few weeks later, Lionel sent him the lyrics to 'Sail On' indicating that he wrote this with him in mind. By the way, Lionel's boyhood nickname is (Skeet)."
@jay1097718, according to a guy named "Dug," from Manitoba, he writes, "This song was in fact, composed by Lionel Richie, after meeting up with a childhood friend, in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he grew up. His friend had just broken up with his wife, and the two sat up through the night, discussing his situation. A few weeks later, Lionel sent him the lyrics to 'Sail On' indicating that he wrote this with him in mind. By the way, Lionel's boyhood nickname is (Skeet)."
This was written for an album released in 1979, he didn't leave the Commodores until 1982, so I don't think it was about leaving his band. He married in 1975 and divorced in 1983, so again, I don't think it was about his future divorce which happened 4 years after he released the song. As far as who or what he was referring to when he wrote it..I dont' know.
@jay1097718, according to a guy named "Dug," from Manitoba, he writes, "This song was in fact, composed by Lionel Richie, after meeting up with a childhood friend, in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he grew up. His friend had just broken up with his wife, and the two sat up through the night, discussing his situation. A few weeks later, Lionel sent him the lyrics to 'Sail On' indicating that he wrote this with him in mind. By the way, Lionel's boyhood nickname is (Skeet)."
@jay1097718, according to a guy named "Dug," from Manitoba, he writes, "This song was in fact, composed by Lionel Richie, after meeting up with a childhood friend, in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he grew up. His friend had just broken up with his wife, and the two sat up through the night, discussing his situation. A few weeks later, Lionel sent him the lyrics to 'Sail On' indicating that he wrote this with him in mind. By the way, Lionel's boyhood nickname is (Skeet)."