“You Take My Breath Away” is a song that resonates deeply with listeners, often becoming the soundtrack to life’s most poignant moments. While many associate this emotionally charged ballad with the late Eva Cassidy, the story of the song stretches back further, weaving together threads of love, serendipity, and the transformative power of music. Eva Cassidy’s rendition, in particular, has cemented its place as a timeless classic, frequently chosen for weddings and moments that call for profound emotional expression.
Eva Cassidy’s Wedding Performance
The story of Eva Cassidy and “You Take My Breath Away” is beautifully intertwined with personal moments. Celia Murphy, a friend of Eva’s, recounts the special role the song played at her wedding. “I asked Eva if she would sing at our wedding, and she said she would be ‘honored’,” Celia remembers. Entrusting the song choice to Eva, Celia was gifted with a recording of “You Take My Breath Away.” The emotional impact was immediate. “It was slightly emotional for me,” Celia recalls. Eva’s simple question, “So, you like it?” was met with an enthusiastic yes. This heartfelt reaction was mirrored by Celia’s fiancé, Winston, confirming it was the perfect song.
Tuck & Patti album
The performance itself was deeply intimate. Despite initial plans for accompaniment, it was just Eva and her guitar at the altar on May 9th, 1992. Celia describes the experience: “it was almost like she was singing just to us, the wedding party.” Winston was so moved he needed Celia’s handkerchief. He adds, “It just made the service, I think. There was not a dry eye in the house. It was breathtakingly beautiful, it was fantastic.” Eva later shared with Celia that she had learned the song from a Tuck & Patti album, highlighting her diverse musical influences.
Eva Cassidy’s Vision for the Song
Beyond wedding performances, Eva Cassidy had a unique artistic vision for “You Take My Breath Away.” According to Chris Biondo, Eva imagined a music video that transcended the typical love song narrative. “She didn’t want to be seen in the video, she wanted it to be images,” Chris explained. Her concept centered around the “overwhelming spirituality of nature,” envisioning “clouds, sunbeams cutting through the clouds.”
Eva perceived the song as more than just a romantic ballad, interpreting it as a spiritual expression. She envisioned the lyrics “I feel your eyes on me” accompanied by a break in the clouds, “and the sun would come through the clouds, and you see rays, like a creator looking down on earth.” This imagery reveals Eva’s deep connection to the song’s emotional core and her desire to convey its profound, almost divine, beauty.
Critical Acclaim and Different Versions
Keith Grimes, a fellow musician, considers Eva’s rendition of “You Take My Breath Away” a standout track. He praises the “particular quality of soulfulness and delicacy” in certain performances by Eva, describing it as “an ineffable quality, it’s a real fragile thing — this is one of those, this has that going for it in a big way.” This delicate and soulful quality is what makes Eva’s interpretation so captivating.
Interestingly, multiple versions of Eva singing “You Take My Breath Away” exist. The version featured on AMERICAN TUNE is taken from Keith’s “buried treasure” rehearsal tapes, offering a raw and intimate glimpse into Eva’s artistry. For BEST OF EVA CASSIDY, Lenny Williams created a new arrangement for piano, bass, and string quartet, enhancing the song’s emotional depth, similar to the treatment of “Anniversary Song.” These different versions showcase the song’s versatility and Eva’s evolving interpretation.
The Origins: Claire Hamill’s Story
The original “You Take My Breath Away” was penned by British singer-songwriter Claire Hamill. It first appeared on her 1975 album LOST & LOVERS. Claire recounts the inspiration behind the song, transporting us back to her first American tour in 1972. During a break, she visited a friend in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, and was captivated by the surf scene. There, she met Mike Marsh, and romance blossomed.
Lost & Lovers album by Claire Hamill
“I was enchanted by the whole surf scene, as it was a million miles away from my early life in the industrial North East of England,” Claire explains. Her relationship with Mike became the muse for many songs on her second album, October. “Most of the songs that I wrote at that time were written on my return to rainy London, where the busy streets soon had me dreaming of the warm Carolina beaches and Mike.” Written when Claire was 19, “You Take My Breath Away” became a “tender declaration of love” for someone she deeply cherished, a sentiment that transcends time and artist. Despite their transatlantic relationship eventually fading, the song remains a testament to that powerful connection.
Claire Hamill’s Reaction to Eva Cassidy’s Cover
Claire Hamill’s discovery of Eva Cassidy’s cover was a moment of profound emotion. “The first time I heard Eva sing I became a fan,” Claire states. Hearing Eva sing her song was overwhelming: “can you imagine how I felt, I was completely overwhelmed. so many different emotions flooded through me, the first was elation at the sheer beauty of her rendition quickly followed by the poignancy of the fact that I would never be able to tell her how fantastic it is.” This bittersweet joy highlights the unique connection between songwriters and interpreters of their work.
Claire Hamill
The success of Eva Cassidy’s version also brought renewed attention to Claire’s songwriting. As reported in the Feltham Leader, Claire was “flabbergasted” to learn her song had helped propel an album to the top of the charts. While interviewed by the BBC in 2003, Claire acknowledged the financial benefits but emphasized, “really the main thing for me is the beauty of the rendition, and that she loved my song.” For Claire, Eva’s cover was not just a career boost, but a validation of her artistry and the enduring power of “You Take My Breath Away.”
In conclusion, “You Take My Breath Away” is more than just a song; it’s a journey through love, loss, and the enduring magic of music. From Claire Hamill’s heartfelt inspiration to Eva Cassidy’s soul-stirring interpretation, the song continues to captivate listeners with its raw emotion and breathtaking beauty. Whether you discover Claire’s original version or are moved by Eva’s iconic rendition, “You Take My Breath Away” is a song that promises to leave you breathless.
