Berlin – Take My Breath Away

Berlin – “Take My Breath Away” – (1986)

Berlin, who were from Los Angeles, naturally, had one major hit and this was it. It won an Oscar and Golden Globe because of its use in Top Gun on whose soundtrack it appeared. The music video is just clips from the movie – Tom Cruise riding a motorcycle really fast, Tom Cruise walking, Tom Cruise making out with Kelly McGillis, Tom Cruise sad after Goose’s demise, Kelly McGillis sad that Tom Cruise is sad, Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis reuniting after Tom Cruise is done being sad – you know, Top Gun stuff. Still, this song is an 80s classic and when you hear it, you immediately think: Tom Cruise and Top Gun – or at least you should.

 

Top 100 Songs of the 80s – #19

#19 – Kenny Loggins – “Danger Zone” – (1986)

Top Gun had a pretty good soundtrack, and with all due respect to Berlin, this was the best song from it. I love the images that appear in my mind whenever I hear this. F-14 Tomcats launching off the end of an aircraft carrier somewhere in the south Pacific during the 1980s. Maverick and Goose high-fiving on the mutual feeling they have of the need for speed. Kenny Loggins is throwing some kick ass vocals out on this track too. It was one of his last big hits (if not the last). It sucks too because during the 80s he was almost bound to doing theme songs – ahem, Footloose. This song proved he still had it. Apparently Bryan Adams rejected doing this song because of its ridiculous patriotism. Well Bryan Adams is Canadian, so whatever, I’m glad Kenny got it.