The song that Broke Berlin
In Chapter 6 of Mix Tapes and Stolen Tests, Elaine and Mix argue about the song “Take My Breath Away” by the band Berlin.
Here is a link to the book:
Berlin, the band, formed in Orange California in 1978.
Wait! California? The band is named Berlin.
When the band started, they wanted to be an goth electronic synth band. The band they looked to for inspiration was Kraftwerk-a German band. This band took their name from the country that had that type of music. If you get the chance Kraftwerk has a nine minute song called “Autobahn” that was sampled by early rappers in the 1980s. “Pocket Calculator” is a fun song. I really like “Trans-Europe Express.”
Berlin was made of John Crawford-Terri Nunn (on Twitter as @realTerriNunn) - David Diamond- Ric Olsen—Matt Reid—Rob Brill- Rod Learned.
Their first album came out in 1980. No one bought it.
Things change in 1982. The album Pleasure Victim came out. The timing was to Berlin’s benefit. This was the start of Mtv and the channel needed music. Here is a pop-synth band with a blond woman singer, who by age 19 had acting credits. An singer that can act would be big in the hey-day of Mtv. They got attention, but it didn’t translate to big sales yet.
The songs on Pleasure Victim were some of their best. It has Sex (I’m A), The Metro (personal favorite) and Masquerade.
In 1984, Berlin would release “Love Life.” This album would contain the song “No More Words.” Check out the synth in this song’s beginning.
All these songs were mentioned in Mix Tapes and Stolen Tests.
1986
The Big Break!
Count Three and Pray. The album wouldn't be a monster album of the 1980s, but it contains an unforgettable song.
Take My Breath Away. This song was written by Giogio Moroder, who was a producer for Donna Summer and Tom Whitlock. This song was huge in 1986. It was featured in the Tom Cruise movie “Top Gun.” It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It won a Golden Globe. The song was #1 in six countries.
Berlin had hit the big time. It killed them.
They would break up in 1987. The songs that they wrote, don’t achieve this level of success. Add that the lead singer was the only person that anyone wanted to interview and as usual the band falls apart. People saw Berlin as this Top 40 band not a goth synth band as they originally wanted. Terri Nunn did some solo records. Berlin is noted as a one-hit wonder in spite of their earlier alternative success.
Berlin would reunite in 2000. The band has a Facebook page. They also have a new album coming out.
Thanks for reading. Your comments are always welcome.
JJ