Lifetime Friend

Lifetime Friend is an album from Little Richard, his first album in seven years since the release of the 1979 gospel album, God's Beautiful City. Following that album's release and some 1981 recordings, Richard had made no recordings while he continued his career in the ministry. Following the release of his autobiography, The Quasar of Rock and Roll, in 1984, Richard had reemerged in the public eye and was starting to be recognized for his contributions to popular music as one of the founders of rock and roll music.

Before Richard recorded Lifetime Friend, his mother, Leva Mae, had died; Richard had promised her that he would remain a Christian. For this album, he decided to mix his trademark rock and roll sound with gospel lyrics, in a style that he called "message music" or "messages in rhythm".^[1] One track, "I Found My Way", included a blend of rap vocals and rock and roll.^[1] The album was recorded mainly in England, and was issued on WEA in Europe and Warner Bros. Records in the United States.

The song, "Great Gosh A'Mighty", co-written by Richard and Billy Preston, was a modest US hit after it was featured in the soundtrack of Down and Out in Beverly Hills.

Track listing

1. "Great Gosh A'Mighty" (Billy Preston, Richard Penniman) (4:48)
2. "Operator" (Jesse Boyce) (4:52)
3. "Somebody's Comin'" (John David) (3:40)
4. "Lifetime Friend" (Jesse Boyce, Travis Wammack) (3:38)
5. "Destruction" (Jesse Boyce, Travis Wammack) (3:45)
6. "I Found My Way" (V.L. Brooks) (3:40)
7. "The World Can't Do Me" (Jesse Boyce, Richard Penniman) (3:48)
8. "One Ray of Sunshine" (Darrell Smith, Travis Wammack) (4:42)
9. "Someone Cares" (Richard Penniman) (4:30)
10. "Big House Reunion" (Travis Wammack) (4:05)

References

Sources

White, Charles (2003). The Life and Times of Little Richard. The Authorised Biography. London: Omnibus Press. pp. 60–62. ISBN 0-711997616. 

Little Richard
Studio albums	Here's Little Richard Little Richard The Fabulous Little Richard Pray Along with Little Richard Pray Along with Little Richard (Vol 2) The King of the Gospel Singers Little Richard Is Back (And There's a Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!) Little Richard's Greatest Hits The Wild and Frantic Little Richard The Explosive Little Richard The Rill Thing Mr. Big The King of Rock and Roll The Second Coming Southern Child Friends from the Beginning - Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix Right Now! Talkin' 'bout Soul Little Richard Live God's Beautiful City Lifetime Friend Shake It All About
Live albums	The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits - Live! Little Richard's Greatest Hits: Recorded Live!
Singles	"Tutti Frutti" "Long Tall Sally" "Slippin' and Slidin'" "Rip It Up" "Ready Teddy" "She's Got It" "Heeby-Jeebies" "The Girl Can't Help It" "All Around the World" "Lucille" "Send Me Some Lovin'" "Jenny, Jenny" "Miss Ann" "Keep A-Knockin'" "Good Golly Miss Molly" "Ooh! My Soul" "True Fine Mama" Baby Face" "Kansas City" "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" "He's Not Just A Soldier" "He Got What He Wanted (But He Lost What He Had)" "Crying in the Chapel" "Bama Lama Bama Loo" "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On" "Goodnight, Irene" "I Don't Know What You've Got (But It's Got Me)" "Poor Dog" "Commandments Of Love" "Freedom Blues" "Greenwood, Mississippi"" "In The Middle of The Night" "Call My Name" "Great Gosh A-Mighty!" "Operator" "Somebody's Comin'" "Twins"
Related topics	Discography Songs Albums Songs by Little Richard Billy Wright Robert Blackwell Art Rupe Esquerita Jimi Hendrix James Brown Larry Williams Little Richard (miniseries)
Book:Little Richard