Good Times – Take My Breath Away (Berlin)
A Soundtrack That Defined a Generation
"Take My Breath Away" is a romantic ballad by the band Berlin, released in 1986 as part of the Top Gun soundtrack. The song was composed by legendary producer Giorgio Moroder, with lyrics by Tom Whitlock. Moroder—renowned for his groundbreaking work in electronic music—crafted the immersive melody, while Whitlock penned the heartfelt lyrics.
The song played a crucial role in Top Gun, being used in the romantic scenes between the characters portrayed by Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. Its inclusion helped set the emotional tone of the film and contributed significantly to the success of both the soundtrack and the movie itself. The track reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped charts in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium. It went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 59th Oscars.
Terri Nunn's vocal performance is one of the song's highlights. As the lead singer of Berlin, her delivery conveys both depth and vulnerability, capturing the emotional essence of the love described in the lyrics. Moroder's signature production—marked by lush synthesizers—gives the song a timeless, ethereal quality.
Interestingly, the track wasn't written by any members of Berlin, which caused some internal friction. While vocalist Terri Nunn saw it as a valuable opportunity that gave the band global exposure, bassist John Crawford disliked the song because it wasn't written or performed by any of them. He stated, "None of us heard it. None of us had anything to do with it. I didn't play on it. No one played on it. No one wrote it."
In 1990, Take My Breath Away was re-released in the UK to coincide with Top Gun's first TV broadcast and a Peugeot 405 advertising campaign. The re-release reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song is also notable for featuring one of the greatest key changes in music history, as listed by ShortList in 2017.
Take My Breath Away remains one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s, representing a perfect fusion of pop music and cinema. Its captivating melody and poignant lyrics continue to resonate with listeners across generations, securing its place in the annals of popular music history.
To relive the magic of this track, check out the official music video: