“Take My Breath Away”
Berlin is an American new wave/synth-pop band that formed in Los Angeles in 1978. The best-known lineup consisted of singer Terri Nunn, bass guitarist and vocalist John Crawford, keyboardist David Diamond, guitarist Ric Olsen, keyboardist Matt Reid, and drummer Rob Brill. The band’s first single, “A Matter of Time,” was released in 1979, and they appeared on television for the first time on the short-lived Hollywood Heartbeat, hosted by former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch. I admit to not knowing much about this band when they first arrived on the scene as the two aforementioned genres were not really my thing back then, or now for that matter, especially synth-pop. That changed when they recorded the song, “Take My Breath Away,” for the 1986 film Top Gun, which also appeared on their 1986 album, Count Three & Pray. It became their best-selling single, and a huge international hit, thanks to the success of the movie, but it was also their last big hit.
The song was written by Giorgio Moroder, an Italian composer and music producer, and Tom Whitlock, an American songwriter. It won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1986. Moroder was asked by Jerry Bruckheimer, the co-producer of Top Gun, to write a song for the film’s soundtrack. He first wrote “Danger Zone,” which was recorded by Kenny Loggins. While Bruckheimer was happy with the result, he then requested a slower song for a romantic scene. Once Moroder had written the musical backing to what would become, “Take My Breath Away,” he recorded a demo which featured a distinctive bass sound on a synthesizer that would later be used on the actual recording. Moroder then gave the demo to lyricist Tom Whitlock. The two first met when Whitlock, a mechanic, fixed the brakes on Moroder’s Ferrari. As far as music trivia goes, this is definitely a gem! Moroder has said that of all the songs he has produced in his career, he is most proud of this song.
So, why am I including this song with so many accolades in this series of annoying songs and covers? Fair question, and I am almost certain I will receive some blow-back for this one. But that’s why they pay me the big bucks. I am sure many of you are familiar with the iconic scene in the movie, the close-up shot of Tom Cruise and Kellie McGillis in a bar embraced in a lip-lock, as the audience is treated to the following:
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 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
While I am every bit as romantic as the next guy, I am sorry, but these lyrics make me want to become celibate. For me, these words belong in the dictionary as an example for what the word “insipid” means.
There have been at least 85 covers of this song over the years. The one I have chosen is from 2022, and performed by Giulia Sirbu, a singer from Iasi, Romania. There is not that much info available on her, other than she is also part of a group from the same city called Shut Up and Kiss Me, which I figured was appropriate given the lyrics and the scene in the movie. As a group, they are all over YouTube doing covers of pop music from a variety of genres, and I must admit that some of them are very well done. The other members of the group are Andrei Cerbu, Beatrice Florea, Robert Ciubotaru, and upright bass player Maria Tufearu. They also feature other singers and musicians from time to time, Alexandra Parasca being one of them who also did a solo cover of this song.
And now for some music.
Berlin. “Take My Breath Away” 1986
Giulia Sirbu. “Take My Breath Away” cover 2022.
And just in case you can’t get enough of this song here is a bonus version by Shut up and Kiss Me featuring both Sirbu and Parasca on vocals from 2023.
Los Angeles 2025
As you probably know, I’m a big fan of new wave and synth pop, so have long loved this song, primarily because of its beautiful soaring melody and Nunn’s impassioned vocals. I concede the lyrics are a bit insipid and treacly, though not enough to have bothered me. Giulia Sirbu’s cover is respectable, with little marked difference from the original in style.
Can’t listen! Hate this song so much! Good choice!
I liked “Take My My Breath Away” quite a bit when it came out. Nowadays, I kind of feel indifferent about it. The first cover by Giulia Sirbu doesn’t do much to advance the song. On the other hand, the acoustic version by Shut up and Kiss Me sounds better to me, both musically and vocally. I may actually prefer it over the original.
And here I though you were a romantic;)
Ha ha! Mois?
et toi!