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Say You, Say Me

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"Say You, Say Me"
Standard picture sleeve
Single by Lionel Richie
from the album White Nights: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Dancing on the Ceiling
B-side"Can't Slow Down"
ReleasedOctober 29, 1985[1]
Recorded1985
GenrePop
Length4:03
LabelMotown
Songwriter(s)Lionel Richie[2]
Producer(s)
Lionel Richie singles chronology
"Penny Lover"
(1984) 		"Say You, Say Me"
(1985) 		"Dancing on the Ceiling"
(1986)
Audio
"Say You, Say Me" on YouTube

"Say You, Say Me" is a song written and recorded by American singer and songwriter Lionel Richie for the film White Nights.[2] The single hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100[3] and on the Hot Black Singles chart[4] in December 1985. It also became Richie's ninth number-one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[5][6] The track is not available on the film's soundtrack album, as Motown did not want Richie's first single following the massive success of his 1983 album Can't Slow Down to appear on another label. It was included by Motown on Richie's 1986 release Dancing on the Ceiling.

Development and production

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For the 1985 film White Nights, a ballet drama starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines, director Taylor Hackford asked Richie to write a title theme. Unable to compose a song with "White Nights" in the title, Richie submitted a demo of the ballad "Say You, Say Me". Eventually, Hackford approved the song and included the completed version in White Nights. Produced by Richie and James Anthony Carmichael, the song was primarily recorded in Richie's living room.[7][8] In White Nights, "Say You, Say Me" was introduced over the closing credits.[9]

Music video

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A music video, also directed by Hackford, was made for the song. It featured inserted clips from White Nights.[10]

Critical reception

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For The New York Times in 1986, Stephen Holden called the song "a powerful mid-80's echo of the Beatles' late-60's chant-like ballads."[8] In a mixed review of Dancing on the Ceiling, Mike Joyce of The Washington Post called the song "silly and horrendously overexposed."[11]

In a 2007 retrospective of the January 11, 1986 Billboard Hot 100 chart, Whitney Pastorek of Entertainment Weekly graded "Say You, Say Me" with an A-minus, calling it "an enduring love song" and commenting "the cranked-up electric bridge alone should be enough to make it a classic."[12]

In 2008, the song was ranked at number 74 of the top songs of all time on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, commemorating the first 50 years of the chart.[13]

Commercial performance

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In the US, the "Say You, Say Me" single sold a million copies and was no. 1 on for two weeks on the Billboard "Hot Black" chart and for four weeks on the Hot 100.[7]

The single was hugely successful in South Africa, attaining the No. 1 spot on the weekly charts for a total of 30 weeks. It was the No. 1 single of 1986 on the year-end Springbok chart.

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Result Ref.
Academy Awards March 24, 1986 Best Original Song Won [14]
Golden Globe Awards January 24, 1986 Best Original Song Won [15]

Track listing

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  1. "Say You Say Me" – 3:59
  2. "Can't Slow Down" – 4:40

Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[56] Gold 100,000[56]
Canada (Music Canada)[57] Platinum 100,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[58] Gold 75,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[59] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[60] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[1] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Lionel Richie and Rasmus Seebach version

[edit]
"Say You, Say Me"
Single by Lionel Richie and Rasmus Seebach
from the album Tuskegee
ReleasedFebruary 24, 2012
Recorded2012
Genre
Length5:09
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Lionel Richie
Producer(s)
Lionel Richie singles chronology
"Endless Love"
(2012) 		"Say You, Say Me"
(2012)
Rasmus Seebach singles chronology
"Millionær"
(2011) 		"Say You, Say Me"
(2012)
Music video
"Say You, Say Me" on YouTube

In 2012, Lionel Richie re-recorded the song with Danish pop singer-songwriter Rasmus Seebach.[61] The duet is featured on Richie's album Tuskegee, for which Richie has picked a host of best-selling singers from around the world in collaborations. The album version features American country singer Jason Aldean.[62]

Track listing

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  1. "Say You, Say Me" – 5:09

Charts

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Chart (2012) Peak
position
Denmark (Tracklisten)[63] 3

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "American single certifications – Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". Recording Industry Association of America.
  2. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 136. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ a b "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Lionel Richie Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 204.
  6. ^ a b "Lionel Richie Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  7. ^ a b Hogan, Ed. "Say You, Say Me". Allmusic. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Holden, Stephen (August 20, 1986). "Lionel Richie's latest songs have a new slant". The New York Times. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Mathews, Jack (April 10, 1988). "Commentary: The trouble with Oscar". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Kirby, Kip (November 23, 1985). "Hollywood finally flashes that proud soundtrack smile". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 47. pp. VM-6, VM-15. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ Joyce, Mike (August 17, 1986). "Recordings". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  12. ^ Pastorek, Whitney (January 9, 2007). "This week in '86: Rating the top 10 hits". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 14, 2007. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary - All-Time Top Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  14. ^ "The 58th Academy Awards (1986) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  15. ^ "White Nights". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  16. ^ bulion. "Forum - ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts - CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". ARIA. Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  17. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  18. ^ "Radio 2 Top 30" (in Dutch). Top 30. Archived from the original on 2016-03-31. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9393." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  20. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0614." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  21. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Lionel Richie". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 215. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  22. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Say You Say Me". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  23. ^ "ライオネル・リッチーのシングル売上TOP2作品" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-10. セイ・ユー・セイ・ミー 発売日 1985年12月05日 最高順位 42位 登場回数 13週
  24. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 50, 1985" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  25. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  26. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". VG-lista. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  27. ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  29. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending DECEMBER 21, 1985". Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 2016-11-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Cash Box magazine.
  30. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  31. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  32. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  33. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Acts R". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  34. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  35. ^ "Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  36. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  37. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 - Charts". Billboard Japan. Retrieved 2023-12-10. 2009/12/02 公開 - 順位 - 25 - タイトル - セイ・ユー,セイ・ミー - アーティスト名 - ライオネル・リッチー
  38. ^ "Ultratop Jaaroverzichten 1985". Ultratop 50 (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  39. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0619." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  40. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1985". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  41. ^ "Dutch Charts Jaaroverzichten Single 1985". Single Top 100 (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  42. ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 1986. Retrieved January 24, 2023 – via Imgur.
  43. ^ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  44. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1986". Ö3 Austria Top 40 (in German). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  45. ^ "Ultratop Jaaroverzichten 1986". Ultratop 50 (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  46. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0760." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  47. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1986". Dutch Top 40 (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  48. ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1986". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  49. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986". Swiss Singles Chart (in German). Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  50. ^ "Top Pop Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. New York, NY, USA. 27 December 1986. p. Y-21. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  51. ^ "Top Adult Contemporary Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. New York, NY, USA. 27 December 1986. p. Y-27. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  52. ^ "Top Black Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 98, no. 52. New York, NY, USA. 27 December 1986. p. Y-23. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  53. ^ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1986". Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 2014-04-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Cash Box magazine.
  54. ^ "Single-Jahrescharts 1986". GfK Entertainment Charts (in German). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  55. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  56. ^ a b "European Gold & Platinum Awards 1986" (PDF). Music & Media. December 27, 1986. p. 34. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  57. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". Music Canada.
  58. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 5, 2019. Enter Say You, Say Me in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1985 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  59. ^ "Spanish single certifications – Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  60. ^ "British single certifications – Lionel Richie – Say You, Say Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  61. ^ Lundbech, Sine (23 February 2012). "Lionel Richie og Seebach-duet udkommer verden over". Gaffa (in Danish). Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  62. ^ Hollywood Reporter: Lionel Richie Teams With Danish Sensation Rasmus Seebach to Breathe New Life Into a Classic (Video)
  63. ^ "Lionel Richie feat. Rasmus Seebach – Say You, Say Me". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
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