“Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
by Jessica Shelton· Published · Updated
Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” was composed specifically for usage in the 1986 film “Top Gun”. That movie centers on characters who are part of the U.S. Navy. And the lyrics of this track are theorized to point to the idea of romantic longing in sense of said officers being separated from their lovers for extended periods of time (and vice versa). Thus the verses themselves have the effect of building up this passionate intensity. And the phrase “take my breath away”, which comprises most of the chorus, is an expression of the exhilarating expectation the singer has once she does in fact meet up with her lover.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();Indeed this song is used during a steamy love scene in the movie where two of the main characters do the do. However, the lyrics are not sensual in essence. Rather they are, once again, based on the singer desiring to be caught up in some type of euphoric state by the addressee.
Facts about “Take My Breath Away”
This is a classic and even some would say unforgettable tune which originally came to us via Columbia Records, as part of the soundtrack to Tom Cruise’s movie “Top Gun”. This was on the date of 13 May 1986. And later that year it was also featured on Berlin’s third album, entitled “Count Three & Pray”, which was issued by Geffen Records.
Berlin is a new-wave band that is actually from California. And I think it’s safe to say that this is their signature song, having topped the Billboard Hot 100, UK Singles Chart and music charts in Belgium, Canada, Ireland and the Netherlands. This is outside of “Take My Breath Away” also charting in over 10 other countries and in almost all cases making it onto the top 5 of their rankings.
Moreover “Take My Breath Away” won Best Original Song at both the 1986 Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
The lyrics to “Take My Breath Away” were written by Tom Whitlock, with the music being composed by Giorgio Moroder. And Mr. Moroder also produced the song. This is the same duo who wrote another hit from the “Top Gun” soundtrack (one of the most-celebrated movie soundtracks in history), Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone”.
');var c=function(){cf.showAsyncAd(opts)};if(typeof window.cf !== 'undefined')c();else{cf_async=!0;var r=document.createElement("script"),s=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];r.async=!0;r.src="//";r.readyState?r.onreadystatechange=function(){if("loaded"==r.readyState||"complete"==r.readyState)r.onreadystatechange=null,c()}:r.onload=c;s.parentNode.insertBefore(r,s)}; })();Giorgio Moroder went on to insinuate that this track is the song he’s “most proud of” having worked on during his long and illustrious career.
An interesting thing to note is that “Take My Breath Away” was initially offered to another new-wave band from California, The Motels. And they did later release the demo of this song they recorded on their 2001 compilation album, “Anthologyland”.
The director of the music video for “Take My Breath Away”, which was inspired by “Top Gun”, is Marcelo Anciano.
In the late 1980s the National Basketball Association also released a memorable Michael Jordan tribute video with “Take My Breath Away” playing in the background as part of their “NBA Superstars” video mix.
Artists who have covered “Take My Breath Away” throughout the years include Jessica Simpson (2004), Diana Ross (2007) and the cast of the television musical “Glee” (2012).
