The Story of... 'Take My Breath Away' by Berlin

16 January 2019, 15:20

It's one of the ultimate power ballads of the 1980s, and you can't help but think of Tom Cruise in his finest aviators.

But what is the story behind Berlin's biggest hit? Here's all the fascinating facts you need:

1. Who wrote 'Take My Breath Away'?

   Super producer Giorgio Moroder wrote the musical backing to what would become the famous song.

   Lyricist Tom Whitlock wrote the lyrics while driving home from the studio, and then spent a few hours at home perfecting them.

2. What movie was it used in?

   It was written specifically for the movie Top Gun, one of the movies that made Tom Cruise a star in 1986.

   A demo of the song, sung by a background singer, impressed the film's director Tony Scott and producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson.

   Because of this, they decided to film more romantic scenes between Cruise and co-star Kelly McGillis in order to feature the song.

3. Who were Berlin and how did they get involved?

   

   The song was first offered to American new wave band The Motels, who later released their original demo on their compilation album Anthologyland.

   Columbia Records suggested other artists, but Moroder thought of the band Berlin, who he had produced the song 'No More Words' for.

   Whitlock made a few lyrical changes, before Berlin singer Terri Nunn recorded the vocals.

   Berlin are an American new wave band, originally formed in California (not Germany!). They had a few hits before 'Take My Breath Away', and its members included John Crawford (bass, vocals), Terri Nunn (vocals), David Diamond (keyboards), Ric Olsen (guitar), Matt Reid (keyboards) and Rod Learned (drums).

   Moroder has since said that of all the many hits he has had, he is most proud of this song.

4. How did it perform in the charts?

   Amazingly, it was actually the second single from Top Gun after 'Danger Zone' by Kenny Loggins.

   It was a UK and US number one hit in 1986, and also topped the charts in Canada, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Belgium.

   It was also the fifth best-selling single of 1986 in the UK

5. Where are Berlin now?

   Berlin are still together 30 years after their biggest hit.

   In 2016, Terri Nunn announced that after various lineup changes, the original members (Crawford, Nunn and Diamond) have been writing new material, and are planning a tour and new album soon.

   However in 2018, Diamond and Crawford performed with the Nunn-fronted version of the band. Rather than replacing any existing members, Diamond and Crawford merged with Nunn's 'current' Berlin to form a six-member line-up.

   A new album is expected to be released in 2019.

6. Take My Breath Away lyrics:

   Watching every motion
   In my foolish lover's game
   On this endless ocean
   Finally lovers know no shame
   
   Turning and returning
   To some secret place inside
   Watching in slow motion
   As you turn around and say
   
   Take my breath away
   Take my breath away
   
   Watching I keep waiting
   Still anticipating love
   Never hesitating
   To become the fated ones
   Turning and returning
   
   To some secret place to find
   Watching in slow motion
   As you turn to me and say
   My love
   
   Take my breath away
   
   Through the hourglass I saw you
   In time you slipped away
   When the mirror crashed I called you
   And turned to hear you say
   If only for today
   I am unafraid
   
   Take my breath away
   Take my breath away
   
   Watching every motion
   In this foolish lover's game
   Haunted by the notion
   Somewhere there's a love in flames
   
   Turning and returning
   To some secret place inside
   Watching in slow motion
   As you turn my way and say
   
   Take my breath away
   My love