He looked like the ultimate California surfer boy. Long, feathered hair. A smile that could melt the laminate off a school locker. But Rex Smith wasn't just another pretty face in a Tiger Beat spread. In 1979, he released a song that basically became the DNA of every high school slow dance for a decade. Honestly, if you grew up then, you couldn't escape it. "You Take My Breath Away" was everywhere.
Most people today get it confused with the Berlin song from Top Gun. Totally different vibe. While Berlin went for that icy, 80s synth-pop feel, Rex Smith was delivering pure, unadulterated soft rock earnestness. It’s the kind of song that feels like a warm July night at a drive-in.
But the story behind the track is weirder than you’d think. It wasn't just a radio hit; it was the centerpiece of a made-for-TV movie called Sooner or Later. That movie? It’s a bit of a time capsule. It features a 13-year-old girl who falls for her guitar teacher—played by Rex—and lies about her age. Kinda cringey by today's standards? Definitely. But in 1979, it made Rex Smith the biggest thing on the planet for about fifteen minutes.
The Sooner or Later Phenomenon
The song didn't just climb the charts. It exploded. Written by Stephen J. Lawrence and Bruce Hart, "You Take My Breath Away" served as the emotional anchor for the film. Rex played Michael Skye, an aspiring rock star. In real life, Rex was already a veteran of the hard rock scene—he’d fronted a band called Rex that opened for Ted Nugent—but this ballad rebranded him overnight.
Suddenly, the guy who used to scream over distorted guitars was the "teen idol" singing about water from a stream on a sizzling summer day.
It worked. The single hit No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. It went Gold. The album, also titled Sooner or Later, went Platinum. For a moment, Rex Smith was the heir apparent to the David Cassidy throne. You’ve probably seen the cover art: Rex looking contemplative, his hair a marvel of 70s engineering.
Why the Song Stuck (And Why We Still Play It)
Musically, it’s a masterclass in tension and release. It starts with that sparse, lonely piano. Rex’s vocals are almost a whisper at first. He sounds vulnerable. Then the strings swell. By the time he hits the chorus, it’s full-blown melodrama.
- The Lyrics: They’re simple. "You're every song I sing... you're the music that I play." It’s the kind of stuff you’d write in a notebook during algebra.
- The Production: Charles Calello and Stephen Lawrence produced it. They kept it "lite" but lush. It’s peak AOR (Adult Oriented Rock).
- The Voice: Say what you want about teen idols, but Rex could actually sing. He had a Broadway-level range that he’d later use in The Pirates of Penzance.
People often ask if the song was about a specific person. In the context of the movie, it's for Jessie, the young girl who takes his breath away. In reality, it was a professional "work for hire" song designed to break a new star. It wasn't some deep, personal confession from Rex's diary. It was a calculated, brilliant piece of pop machinery.
The Confusion with Berlin
We have to address the elephant in the room. If you search for "Take My Breath Away" now, Google mostly wants to tell you about Tom Cruise and fighter jets. Berlin’s 1986 hit is a masterpiece, but it’s a different beast entirely.
Rex’s song is technically titled "You Take My Breath Away."
That "You" is the only thing standing between him and a mountain of SEO confusion. Rex's version is acoustic-driven and organic. Berlin's is Giorgio Moroder-produced electronic gold. If you’re looking for the one that sounds like a sunset in 1979, you want Rex.
What Happened to Rex Smith?
The "teen idol" tag is a blessing and a curse. It pays the bills, but it’s hard to shake. Rex didn't just fade away into the "Where Are They Now?" files, though. He pivoted. Hard.
He went to Broadway. He starred in Grease. He did The Pirates of Penzance with Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt. He even played the first live-action version of Daredevil (as Matt Murdock) in the 1989 TV movie The Trial of the Incredible Hulk.
He became a host on Solid Gold. He did daytime soaps like As the World Turns. Essentially, Rex Smith became the ultimate Hollywood utility player. But through all the leather jackets on Street Hawk and the Shakespearean stages, "You Take My Breath Away" remains the thing people stop him in airports for.
Finding the Song Today
If you’re trying to track down a high-quality version of the track, you’ve got a few options. The original Sooner or Later vinyl is actually pretty easy to find in bargain bins—usually for under five bucks.
For digital listeners, it’s on all the major streaming platforms. Look for the Sooner or Later album or his 2000 career retrospective, which was actually titled You Take My Breath Away.
Interestingly, there are a few "unplugged" versions Rex has done in recent years. His voice has matured. It’s got a bit more gravel now, which actually makes those sentimental lyrics feel a little more lived-in.
Actionable Steps for the Nostalgic Listener
If you want to experience the full 1979 Rex Smith vibe, don't just stream the song.
- Watch the movie clips: You can find the key scenes from Sooner or Later on YouTube. Watching Rex sing this to a wide-eyed Denise Miller provides the context you need to understand why it was such a hit.
- Check the B-side: The 7-inch single featured "You're Never Too Old to Rock & Roll." It’s a hilarious contrast to the A-side and shows off Rex's rock roots.
- Compare the eras: Listen to "You Take My Breath Away" back-to-back with his 1981 duet with Rachel Sweet, "Everlasting Love." You can hear the transition from 70s soft rock to early 80s pop.
Rex Smith might not be on the Top 40 today, but for a specific generation, he provided the soundtrack to their first heartbreak. It’s a song that reminds us of a time when pop stars had feathered hair and weren't afraid to be a little bit cheesy. Honestly, we could probably use a little more of that sincerity right now.
To get the most out of this track, listen to the 1979 studio version through a decent set of headphones. Pay attention to the layering of the backing vocals in the final chorus—it’s much more sophisticated than the "teen idol" label would suggest.
