“Take My Breath Away” by Berlin
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.
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”.
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).
I love this song 💕😻
me too!!!!!
I still can’t figure out the lyrics, but it is one of my favorite songs!
this song was sung by a girl to his boyfriend. his boyfriend likes to race fast cars and his gf is obviously very scared that he will die in a crash. listen to the lyrics again
When the mirror crashed I called you
And turned to hear you say
If only for today
I am unafraid
….
Watching every motion
In this foolish lover’s game
Haunted by the notion
Somewhere there’s a love in flames
The lyrics, I think , are deeper and more complex than at first glance , and have a dual meaning , possibly even triple – which when read in conjunction with the video makes it a very memorable song . For me, it refers to love’s intangible element as well as its connection to a sort of death and destruction , as well as the positive side to it . There is no reference to love in the concrete practical sense , but in relation to the things surrounding it ( and not always positive) which make it so powerful .
This can be found in the references to ‘endless ocean’ ‘secret places’ ‘notion’ ‘hourglass’ and ‘mirror’ and ‘fate’ They are all powerful images which hint at something else that’s perhaps bigger or hidden . The line beginning ‘ When the mirror crashed’ is particularly potent as it could be referring to the death of someone ( there is death in Top Gun ) and Terri Nunn ( of Berlin) father died when she was young – which links to the ‘if only for today , I am unafraid ‘ . It could also refer, in some sense to the death of one’self , which can be required in a sense for true love to occur . The song itself has a melancholy pace and low key feel and the title itself could have a dual ‘meaning of both positive ( love is beautiful ) and negative ( taking some’ones breath away causes death) , although it does appear end on a positive note with the last two lines of the last verse
This is a song about a love affair. She is singing about the relationship she has with her married lover. Having to watch their moves and be careful until it’s safe to be together. She’s waiting for him to leave his wife but it’s not happening yet. At some point, they break it off. Time moves on. But then some kind of emergency occurred and she needed him and he was there for her. “If only for today, I am unafraid”, he says. Then she goes back to worrying about getting caught but is aware that one of his relationships is in trouble. “Haunted by the notion, somewhere there’s a love in flames”.
Wow. Seems spot on . Breathtaking
All I know is that this song reminds me of my first love. She had to leave for good and migrated to another country and I was left longing for her. We we’re too young at the time and it was hard to communicate unlike now, technology has improved. On the day they will leave the country with her family, she called multiple times and I didn’t answer cause I was too afraid to stop her and to lose her.. And on that very morning I will never forget this song played as it simply broke my heart.. This was 19 yrs ago and until now I still remember like it was yesterday whenever I hear this song, I so long for her. I know she’s in a good place now, in a great country. “London” to be exact. Sometimes I wish I have answered her call and tell her how I really feel but I was a coward since then cause who am I to stop her for having a good future? And the lyrics of the song that had hit me so hard is “turning and returning into some secret place inside” I guess, that’s what it meant for me. She will always remain secretly in my heart and no one knows that until now. RAEMS.
same experienced.
@RAEMS – find her and tell her!!! Life is too short to wonder.
Priceless feeling given by this song’s mixed emotions sent. My ex boyfriend dedicated this song to me at a mutual friend’s party with his wife there and decided to give me a kiss in front of everybody including his wife whilst the song was playing. Please bare in mind that i still love him more than i even love myself but just love him enough to let him go. “Interesting part”: He plays only Hip Hop, i give Berlin’s song utmost respect and credit for sending message and have slow jam and RNB respected always.
Wow girlie I felt that with you… ooof ????
For me its a Inspirational song and unforgettable moments😍😍😍