If only for today/
I am unafraid.
Some songs are probably just better to be enjoyed than analyzed: “Great Balls On Fire”, “I am the Walrus”, Berlin’s “Take My Breath Away”, etc. Can you imagine saying to someone in any circumstances (non-sarcastically) “take my breath away”? That is what Terri Nunn is saying, she sees someone who she is interested in and says “take my breath away.” It is absurd, yet it works because that is not what we think the song is saying. We think she is asking the universe to help her find a love to take her breath away. It works better like that. That is how she sings it.
“Take my Breath Away” was a huge hit in the 80s and it has aged well. It has the synthesizer, which many songs with synthesizers don’t age well. However, the four-note bass beat is so distinctive that you hear it and it fits so perfectly with this song. The other reason the song has aged well is Nunn’s vocals: they are amazing. She is loud and powerful and then soft and delicate. Some female singers would belt this out powerfully the whole song, but that is not the correct interpretation.
Interestingly this song was offered to The Motels first, and they passed. Had they recorded something like this, The Motels would be a strong candidate for Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. If you have two songs in the Top 500 songs, you are a shoo-in in my book.
Take My Breath Away 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…
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,
Take my breath away.
Take my breath away,
Take my breath away.
Songwriters: Giorgio Moroder / Tom Whitlock