My Destiny (Lionel Richie song)

"My Destiny" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Lionel Richie. It was released on July 28, 1992 as the second single from his first compilation album, Back to Front (1992), by Motown Records. It was written by Richie and produced by himself and Stewart Levine. The song achieved some success, and it even topped the Dutch Single Top 100 and peaked at number two in the Dutch Top 40. It also appeared on Richie's best of albums Truly: The Love Songs and The Definitive Collection.

"My Destiny"
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album Back to Front
B-side	"Do It to Me"
Released	July 28, 1992
Genre	Pop R&B
Length	4:50
Label	Motown
Songwriter(s)	Lionel Richie
Producer(s)	Lionel Richie Stewart Levine
Lionel Richie singles chronology
"Do It to Me" (1992) "My Destiny" (1992) "Love, Oh Love" (1992)
Music video
"My Destiny" on YouTube

Critical reception

Bryan Buss from AllMusic described the song as "classic, smooth Richie".^[1] J.D. Considine noted its "low-key vocals and understated, fatback groove".^[2] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Lively pop/R&B instrumentation, a la Simply Red, triggers his most relaxed and spirited vocal in years. Familiarity of chorus will assist in winning friends at urban, top 40, and AC levels. Far more satisfying than the previous "Do It To Me"."^[3] Fell and Rufer from the Gavin Report commented, "A love song with a brilliant beat, this fresh Richie track from his retrospective album, Back to Front, is sure to be a crowdpleaser."^[4]

Music video

In the accompanying music video for "My Destiny", directed by Mary Lambert, Richie sings in front of four dancing supermodels with his shirt unbuttoned.

Track listings

• 7-inch single

1. "My Destiny" (Lite mix edit) – 3:50
2. "Do It to Me" (Rhythm Method single edit) – 4:35

• 12-inch maxi

1. "My Destiny" (Hiphouse 2 mix) – 5:55
2. "Do It to Me" (Rhythm Method single edit) – 4:35
3. "Do It to Me" (Rhythm Method extended mix) – 6:32
4. "My Destiny" (Lite mix edit) – 3:50

• CD maxi

1. "My Destiny" (Lite mix edit) – 3:49
2. "Do It to Me" (Rhythm Method single edit) – 4:36
3. "My Destiny" (Hiphouse 2 mix) – 5:59
4. "Do It to Me" (Rhythm Method extended mix) – 6:32

• Cassette

1. "My Destiny" (Lite mix edit)
2. "Do It to Me" (Rhythm Method single edit)

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1992) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[5] 125 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 6 Europe Adult Contemporary (Music & Media)[8] 1 Europe (European Dance Radio)[9] 12 France (SNEP)[10] 18 Germany (GfK)[11] 23 Ireland (IRMA)[12] 10 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[13] 2 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[14] 1 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[15] 38 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 19 UK Singles (OCC)[17] 7 UK Dance (Music Week)[18] 29 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[19] 7 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[20] 56

Year-end charts Chart (1992) Position Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[21] 33 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22] 21 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 22 UK Singles (OCC)[24] 32 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[25] 50

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[26]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Buss, Bryan. "Lionel Richie – Back to Front". AllMusic. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
2. Considine, J.D. (1992). "Lionel Richie – Back to Front". The Baltimore Sun – via Star Tribune. (May 29, 1992).
3. Flick, Larry (August 8, 1992). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 72. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
4. Fell, Ron; Rufer, Diane (July 24, 1992). "A/C: Reviews" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 28. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
5. "Lionel Richie ARIA Chart history (1988-2024)". ARIA. Retrieved July 28, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
6. "Lionel Richie – My Destiny" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
7. "Lionel Richie – My Destiny" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
8. "Adult Contemporary Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. October 10, 1992. p. 36. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
9. "European Dance Radio" (PDF). Music & Media. December 5, 1992. p. 20. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
10. "Lionel Richie – My Destiny" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
11. "Lionel Richie – My Destiny" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lionel Richie". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
13. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 39, 1992" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
14. "Lionel Richie – My Destiny" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
15. "Lionel Richie – My Destiny". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
16. "Lionel Richie – My Destiny". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
17. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
18. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. August 22, 1992. p. 20. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
19. "Lionel Richie Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
20. "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
21. "Jaaroverzichten 1992". Ultratop. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
22. "Single top 100 over 1992" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
23. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1992". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
24. "Year End Charts: Top Singles". Music Week. January 16, 1993. p. 8.
25. "1992 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 52. December 26, 1992. p. YE-38. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
26. "British single certifications – Lionel Richie – My Destiny". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 8, 2021.