B.J. Thomas died in 2021, so it was a surprise to hear him at the end of Reagan, a Ronald Reagan biopic starring Dennis Quaid.

“Walls Will Fall” is an apolitical ballad about peace, love and the fall of the Berlin Wall. You’ll find it during the closing credits of Reagan, released on Aug. 30.

“Even though he’s not with us anymore, I think he’s with us in spirit,” film and music producer Mark Joseph tells Taste of Country. Listen to “Walls Will Fall” during this exclusive Taste of Country digital premiere.

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• Thomas died in May 2021, just months after revealing a Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis.
• His best-known hits include “Hooked on a Feeling” and “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.”
• Reagan is focused on President Reagan’s life and accomplishments as president, specifically efforts to convince Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.

“I had previously produced a song called ‘Walk On’ with BJ for another movie I produced back in 2011,” Joseph recalls, “and when I told him about Reagan, we worked up a demo along with a songwriter named Chris Roach.”

On Facebook, Roach recalls a 15-year time lapse between writing “Walls Will Fall” with Heath Bain and the song’s release. The movie was delayed, but Thomas’ death did not deter the use of his vocals.

“I grew up listening to BJ, and we kept in touch over the years. It was an honor to have him be a part of this movie,” Joseph continues.

In addition to this new song from Thomas, the Reagan soundtrack features new songs from Bob Dylan, Tanya Tucker and more.