1985 No.1 Ballad Ranked Among 'Top Movie Songs of All Time' Won an Oscar
In 1985, Lionel Richietopped the charts with a hit single that was released as part of a musical drama film. The pop track would also end up winning two major awards in 1986, an Oscar for "Best Original Song" and a Grammy.
Directed by Taylor Hackard, White Nights starred Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Jerzy Skolimowski, Helen Mirren, and Isabella Rossellini, with it becoming her big screen debut as an actor. The main concept of the film focused on its use of dance and choreography by Twyla Tharp. While the film wasn't the biggest success among critics, it still succeeded at the box office, having made over $40 million.
White Nights follows Nikolai "Kolya" Rodchenko (Baryshnikov), a Soviet ballet dancer who defected to the United States. When his plane is forced to land in the USSR, he's taken back into custody and pressured to perform again for the Soviet government. Assigned to keep an eye on him is Raymond Greenwood (Hines), an American tap dancer who had previously defected to the Soviet Union.
Despite being on opposite sides politically, the two form an uneasy bond as they navigate surveillance, loyalty, and their shared passion for dance. Koyla struggles with the idea of returning to a life he once escaped, with Raymond devising a plan to help Koyla regain his freedom.
White Nights had successful hits like "Separate Lives" by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin, but Richie's "Say You, Say Me" became the film's standout success. It was ranked by Billboard at No. 14 as one of the "Top Movie Songs" of all time. Richie was approached by the film's director to develop the track, and as Richie was unable to include "White Nights" in the title, he came up with "Say You, Say Me." Audiences hear the track during the film's closing credits, and it would end up winning an Oscar and a Grammy in the same category.
The song was created alongside James Anthony Carmichael, but it wasn't included in the film's soundtrack for a reason. In 1983, Richie was on a career high after releasing his album Can't Slow Down, and his record label didn't want his first single to be under a different company. Instead, they released "Say You, Say Me" as part of Richie's 1986 album Dancing on the Ceiling.
"Say You, Say Me" also topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts at No. 1 and on the Adult Contemporary charts. Critics called the ballad an "enduring love song" of the '80s, while also giving Dancing on a Ceiling mixed reviews. Its accompanying music video includes scenes from White Noise.
Related: 1987 No. 1 Hit Won an Oscar for ‘Best Original Song' 38 Years Ago
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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 11:14 AM.