the synth figure that plays just behind the piano chords in the intro?

(That piano sound is itself so quintessentially early 80s too)

As for the Lionel Richie-ism... what do you mean? Like, I can hear it in the context of the Commodores, but is it something he carried with him into his solo career (like the beginning of "You Are" maybe)?

EDIT: Or do you mean that thick, shattering synth that actually plays the "bassline" (it's more stabs than a melody) on the Rene & Angela?