What the Mideast needs is more cowbell Lionel Richie

December 4, 2006 2:37 PM

From performing in a concert for Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, to serving as background music for the shock-and-awe bombing of Baghdad, Lionel Richie is much beloved throught the Arab world. A Nightline piece, and an upcoming GQ magazine article (via NPR) examine the Lionel of Arabia phenomenon.
posted by jaimev (17 comments total)

Ohhhh, what a feeling...
When you're dripping from the ceiling...

Ok, that's very bad. I'm going to go read the articles now. :)
posted by Malor at 3:33 PM on December 4, 2006

Allah night long!
posted by Bookhouse at 3:43 PM on December 4, 2006 [1 favorite]

Bookhouse WINS
posted by BrodieShadeTree at 3:46 PM on December 4, 2006

From performing in a concert for Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi,

Ol Muammar was merely testing the use of "Hello" as a torture device. He rejected it as unneccesarily cruel.
posted by jonmc at 4:08 PM on December 4, 2006

Buliding a Lionel Richie Head.
posted by zoinks at 4:20 PM on December 4, 2006

Aparently, in Great Britain he is associated with a popular brand of biscuit (British cookie).

Attempts to extend the brand (by me, self-link) were unsuccessful.
posted by wendell at 4:52 PM on December 4, 2006

It's the moustache. They love moustaches over there.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:53 PM on December 4, 2006

Lionel is the Man
posted by cell divide at 4:57 PM on December 4, 2006

He is mighty, mighty.
posted by jonmc at 4:57 PM on December 4, 2006

Man, his song,
It really stank,
Let's run over Lionel Richie,
With a tank.
-Deathtöngue
posted by swell at 5:44 PM on December 4, 2006

He's easy, easy like Thursday after sunset.
posted by Saucy Intruder at 6:08 PM on December 4, 2006

WRONG! It's

Middle of the road,
Man it stanks
Let's run over Lionel Ritchie with a tank.

Duh.
posted by interrobang at 6:24 PM on December 4, 2006

At first I thought it was "Little Richard".

Funny image: Pu-raise Alah, Wooooo!!!
posted by LordSludge at 6:37 PM on December 4, 2006

Hmm... so Moammar Qadafi is connected to Paris Hilton through three degrees, right? Wow, that's weird when you think about it.
posted by chef_boyardee at 7:24 PM on December 4, 2006

Hot off the request line, from Ossama to George, with love:

Hello;
Is it me you're looking for?...
posted by Pollomacho at 7:40 PM on December 4, 2006

Lionel Richie is the David Hasselhoff of Germany of the Middle East.

No, wait, Lionel Richie is the David Hasselhoff is the Jerry Lewis of France of Germany of the Middle East.
posted by dgaicun at 8:20 PM on December 4, 2006

Hmm... so Moammar Qadafi is connected to Paris Hilton through three degrees, right? Wow, that's weird when you think about it.

He is the only man she hasn't slept with? That is weird.
posted by srboisvert at 3:26 AM on December 5, 2006