The 'Hello' hitmaker - who has been single since splitting from second wife Diane in 2004 - thinks listening to songs with vocals is off-putting during sex.
He said: "My first rule for a girl in the bedroom is, 'Don't play Lionel Richie'. I don't need that other guy singing to help me out.
"My advice for the bedroom is don't play any music that has someone singing. If you do, you'll feel like there's a third person in the room because one or other of you will hear the vocal and say, 'I love him or her'.
"So go for instrumental background music - with plenty of sax. If you must have a singer, make it Marvin Gaye."
Despite two failed marriages, Lionel hasn't ruled out finding love again but has vowed to take his relationships slowly.
He said: "I haven't given up on love. I' a hopeless romantic, but two divorces have made me cautious.
"I no longer jump up and say, 'Let me take you away from all this' when I fall for someone. Now I take it slower and say, 'I'll see you tomorrow.' "