On this day in music history: September 13, 1986 - Take My Breath Away by Berlin hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week. Written by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock, it is the biggest hit for the new wave pop-rock band from Los Angeles, CA fronted by lead singer Terri Nunn. Having written Oscar winning music for films such as Midnight Express and Flashdance, composer and producer Giorgio Moroder will be asked by film producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer to contribute to the soundtrack of their film Top Gun starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, and Anthony Edwards. Paired with lyricist Tom Whitlock, they will write the soundtracks two biggest hits Danger Zone and Take My Breath Away. Both songs will be offered to Berlin. Initially, Danger Zone (#2 Pop) is planned as a duet, but will be passed on to Kenny Loggins when the band declines to record it. Used as the love theme for the film, it will be an immediate hit with film audiences and record buyers. Entering the Hot 100 at #96 on June 21, 1986, it will climb to the top of the chart twelve weeks later. The song will win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1987, winning Moroder his third Oscar and becoming the thirteenth song in the rock era to achieve that honor. The success of Berlins single will drive the Top Gun soundtrack to number one for five weeks (non-consecutive) on the Billboard Top 200, and going 9x Platinum in the US. Take My Breath Away is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 02:08:42 +0000
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