Lionel Richie Peaks at Number One in 1985 with ‘Say You, Say Me’

My cassette deck had the soundtrack to 'White Knights' in it all the time in 1986. But the main song from the movie wasn't even on it.

That track was a song written and performed by Lionel Richie. "Say You, Say Me" hit number on on this day in 1985 and stayed there for a month.

The movie was actually better than you'd think. It starred Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines. Mikhail plays a dancer who defected from Russia. He is in a plane that crash lands in Russia, and he is forced to perform back in his homeland. His KGB minder is Gregory Hines, an American who defected to Russia and is regretting his decision. Lots of great music, and some amazing dance routines. But then there would have to be with two of the best dancers who ever walked the Earth.

The big thing was that the main song wasn't on the soundtrack. Lionel was attached to Motown at the time, and they didn't want their artist's song on a another record that they didn't control. The song was included on Lionel's 1986 LP "Dancing on the Ceiling". If the song was included on the movie soundtrack, it could've been one of the best soundtracks of all time. Because the soundtrack also contained a hit from Phil Collins. And in the 80s Phil Collins could do no wrong.

Lionel's "Say You, Say Me" ended up winning an Academy Award, and a Golded Globe, for Best Original Song.

It also had a scene with Gregory Hines doing some tap. That's gold Jerry...Gold!