Many songs come and go, yet few leave an everlasting mark on the industry. When they do, however, these songs have the power to reshape a genre entirely, touching multiple generations and serving as a cultural centerpiece. 41 years ago, the pop industry was impacted by another one of these gems, and it only continues to make its mark.
Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away” was released September 13, 1986 for the Top Gun soundtrack, taking the world by storm and collecting several accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song at the 44th Golden Globe Awards in 1986. Here’s a deeper dive into the history of the song and why it still stands as one of the most legendary soundtrack singles of all time.
Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away”
When you think Top Gun, you may think Tom Cruise, though the film offered the music industry something even more valuable. “Take My Breath Away” was written by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock, recorded by the synth-pop band Berlin specifically for the action film’s soundtrack. Moroder had already established himself within cinema composition, responsible for films like Midnight Express and Scarface. The Italian musician mastered a sleek, electronic production that encapsulated the era beautifully. His vision for Top Gun called for a love song to balance the film’s high-intensity sequences, and only Berlin could give the track a soft, modern feel, thanks to establishing themselves for edgy, dance hits like “The Metro.” Combine both kinds of genius, “Take My Breath Away” was born.
The song’s release coincided perfectly with Top Gun’s massive box office success, driving them hand in hand to the top. Its slow-building synths, dreamy vocals from Berlin’s Terri Nunn, and soaring chorus brought something delicate to contrast the brashness of ‘80s power rock. The depth of the song’s drama helped it stand out among other charting tracks, soaring to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts worldwide. Alongside winning the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 1987, it cemented its status as one of the decade’s definitive love ballads.
Still regarded as one of the most harrowing love songs ever written, “Take My Breath Away” not only served as Berlin’s signature song, but also a benchmark for pop ballads in film soundtracks. All these years later and the song holds up as fresh and larger than life. Even its covers, including Jessica Simpson’s 2004 rendition, find just as much success, though nothing quite surpasses the original’s magnitude.
