The song is a heartfelt confession of deep, unexpressed love and the overwhelming emotion of being completely captivated by someone.
It’s the late ’80s, a time when synthesizers were king and power ballads ruled the airwaves. Yet, in the midst of all the big hair and even bigger choruses, a song emerged that was as much a whisper as it was a declaration. Chris Norman, the distinctive voice of the legendary band Smokie, had carved out a successful solo career, particularly in Germany, where his star continued to shine brightly. It was in this era that he gifted us with “Sarah (You Take My Breath Away),” a track that feels less like a product of its time and more like a timeless piece of art.
Released in 1987 as part of the album Different Shades, “Sarah (You Take My Breath Away)” wasn’t just another single; it was a pure, unvarnished expression of a secret, aching heart. Unlike the bombastic hits of the day, this song is built on a quiet intimacy. It’s the kind of song you would listen to alone in your room, with the lights low, as you let the melody and lyrics wash over you. The song’s composition, co-written by Chris Norman and his former Smokie bandmate Pete Spencer, showcases a masterful understanding of emotional resonance. While it may not have topped the charts in the U.K. or U.S. like some of his earlier work, its performance in Germany was notable, cementing his status as a solo artist there.
The story behind the song is a beautiful testament to the power of unrequited or at least unexpressed love. The lyrics describe “another restless night without you,” and a person who closes their eyes to “think about you,” memorizing “each word you say.” It’s the universal feeling of carrying a torch for someone, a “secret feeling locked away” that “emotions tear me apart” because the “thoughts never spoken are here in my heart.” For anyone who has ever been tongue-tied in the presence of someone they adore, this song is their anthem. The simple, raw honesty of the lyrics—”Every day you pass beside me, never once you look my way”—is a powerful punch to the gut, a shared experience for so many of us who have walked that difficult path.
The emotional core of “Sarah” lies in its relatability. It speaks to the shy, the reserved, the ones who feel too much to say anything at all. The song is a musical portrait of longing. It’s a track that feels deeply personal, as if Chris Norman is whispering a secret only to you. The gentle guitar riffs and the soft, yet powerful, drum beat create a soundscape that mirrors the quiet turmoil of the narrator’s soul. It’s a song that evokes a sense of nostalgia for a time when emotions were perhaps more carefully guarded and expressed in ways that were subtle but profound. It reminds us of a time when a look, a glance, or a passing word held more weight than a thousand text messages. It’s an elegant, deeply moving piece of music that continues to resonate with anyone who has ever had their breath taken away by someone they admire from afar.