About the song
“Take My Breath Away” is more than just a song; it’s a cinematic masterpiece woven into the fabric of pop culture. Born from the high-flying world of the 1986 blockbuster, Top Gun, this power ballad has captivated audiences for decades with its soaring melody and poignant lyrics.
The genesis of this iconic track lies in the creative minds of Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock. Tasked by film producer Jerry Bruckheimer to create a romantic counterpoint to the adrenaline-pumping score, Moroder crafted a haunting musical backdrop. His demo, featuring a distinctive synthesizer bassline, would become the foundation of what was to come. Enter Tom Whitlock, a lyricist with an unexpected connection to Moroder—he was the mechanic who once repaired the Italian producer’s Ferrari. A chance encounter that led to a musical partnership.
Whitlock’s poetic words, penned during a car ride home, captured the essence of love and longing. The demo, initially sung by a background vocalist, so enchanted director Tony Scott and producers Bruckheimer and Don Simpson that they re-shot romantic scenes between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis to perfectly align with the song’s emotional power.
The search for the perfect voice led to the new wave band Berlin. Moroder, impressed by their previous collaboration on “No More Words,” saw them as the ideal interpreters of this love ballad. With Terri Nunn’s ethereal vocals and Whitlock’s refined lyrics, the song was transformed into a timeless anthem.
“Take My Breath Away” soared to unprecedented heights, topping charts worldwide and earning prestigious awards, including the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Its impact extended beyond the music industry, becoming synonymous with the thrill and romance of Top Gun and leaving an enduring legacy in the realm of popular culture.
More than just a song, “Take My Breath Away” is a testament to the power of collaboration, the magic of cinema, and the universal language of love.
Video
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 hide
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, take my breath away
My love, take my breath away
My love, take my breath away