Surrender To Me

Album: Tequila Sunrise soundtrack (1988)
Charted: 6
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In 1984, Heart lead singer Ann Wilson teamed up with Loverboy frontman Mike Reno for "Almost Paradise," the love theme from the movie Footloose. Four years later, Wilson got the call for another love theme duet, this time with Robin Zander of Cheap Trick for "Surrender To Me" for the movie Tequila Sunrise. The lovers in the film are Mel Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer.

    The movie did well at the box office, and the song was also a hit, going to #6 in the US. The soundtrack also includes songs by Crowded House and Duran Duran.
  • "Surrender To Me" was written by Richard Marx along with the composer Ross Vannelli. Marx has a talent for coaxing out a tender emotion in a love song, which he did in this story of a couple who have been through the relationship wringer and are ready to put all that aside and surrender to desire, at least for one night.
  • Wilson was thrilled to sing with Robin Zander, whom she ranks among her top vocalists. "'Surrender To Me' was a great song," she recalled in a 2022 Songfacts interview. "And of course, I love singing with Robin because he's one of the best singers that I've ever met. He can sing anything. He can sing an operetta."
  • Richard Marx wrote songs for other artists before releasing his debut solo album in 1987. That album was huge, with "Should've Known Better" and "Hold On To The Nights" among the hits. He had the magic touch and was very prolific, still writing for others (here's one you probably didn't expect: "Edge Of A Broken Heart" by Vixen). "Surrender To Me" was on the charts a few months before his second album, Repeat Offender, was released, which includes a song with a similar vibe: "Right Here Waiting."
  • Robin Zander holds the record for singing the most hit songs with "surrender" in the title. In 1978, Cheap Trick had a hit with "Surrender."
  • Richard Marx recorded his own version of "Surrender To Me" with Lara Fabian for his 1997 album Flesh and Bone.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt

Experience Nirvana with Sub Pop Founder Bruce PavittSong Writing

The man who ran Nirvana's first label gets beyond the sensationalism (drugs, Courtney) to discuss their musical and cultural triumphs in the years before Nevermind.

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The Devil

Five Rockers Who Rolled With The DevilSong Writing

Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.