Tom Whitlock

Thomas Ross "Tom" Whitlock (born 1954) is a songwriter and lyricist best known for his Academy Award and Golden Globe winning song "Take My Breath Away" from the film Top Gun, which he co-wrote with Giorgio Moroder.

Early life

Whitlock was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. As a drummer, he played in many bands and on many recording sessions. In 1977, he was signed to his first recording contract with Mercury Records. In 1983, Mr. Whitlock became a recording engineer in Los Angeles, focusing primarily on film scores and songs for movies such as Scarface, Beverly Hills Cop and II, as well as many others.

Musical career

With Giorgio Moroder, he co-wrote five songs on the Top Gun soundtrack, including "Take My Breath Away" and the Kenny Loggins hit "Danger Zone". Whitlock was Moroder's mechanic, fixing his Ferraris, before turning into a lyricist. ASCAP shows 113 songs registered, performed by artists such as Berlin, Bonnie Tyler, Jennifer Rush, Michael McDonald, Ray Charles, Graham Nash, Diana Ross, Teddy Pendergrass, Roger Daltrey and John Entwhistle.

Whitlock and Moroder had other collaborations, for the films Over the Top, American Anthem and Rambo III, and also co-wrote the official theme songs for both the 1988 Summer Olympics ("Hand In Hand") and the 1990 FIFA World Cup ("To Be Number One").

Whitlock is also drummer of the Missouri band, The Dog People, with Michael Granda, aka, Supe dujour, Jim Wunderle, and Terry Wilson.

Filmography of songs

• Top Gun (1986) ("Take My Breath Away", performed by Berlin; "Danger Zone", by Kenny Loggins; "Radar Radio" by Giorgio Moroder featuring Joe Pizzulo; "Lead Me On" by Teena Marie; all co-written by Giorgio Moroder)
• American Anthem (1986) ("Wings to Fly", performed by Graham Nash, co-written by Giorgio Moroder)
• Over the Top (1987) ("Winner Takes It All" by Sammy Hagar; "Meet Me Half Way" by Kenny Loggins; "In This Country" by Robin Zander; "Take It Higher" and "Mind Over Matter" by Larry Greene; "All I Need Is You" by Big Trouble; "Gypsy Soul" by Asia; "I Will Be Strong" by Eddie Money; all co-written by Giorgio Moroder)
• Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987) ("Nightlife" and "Overdrive", both performed by Larry Lee and co-written by Larry Lee and Steve Bates)
• Fatal Beauty (1987) ("Criminal", performed by Shannon; co-written by Sylvester Levay)
• Dream a Little Dream (1989) ("WHENEVER THERE'S A NIGHT", by Mike Reno; "NEVER TURN AWAY", by Chris Thompson; both co-written by John William Dexter)
• Let It Ride (1989) ("Money Talks", "Win or Lose")
• Navy SEALs (1990) (writer: "Strike Like Lightning", "Shadows")
• Fire, Ice and Dynamite (1990) ("Rock Noon", by Dominoe, co-written by Harold Faltermeyer and Brian Reeves; "Get Ready", by Rockafella, co-written by Faltermeyer)
• Out for Justice (1991) ("Temptation", by Teresa James; co-written by Todd Smallwood)
• Boris and Natasha' (1992) ("I Want It All", by Marietta, co-written by David Darling)
• 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) ("Even Angels Fall", by Jessica Riddle)

References

• Bruckheimer, Jerry (1999). Album notes for Top Gun [Special Edition]. Columbia Records.
• Allmusic
• ASCAP record
• Supe Dujour

External links

• Tom Whitlock at the Internet Movie Database