Sara

Album: Knee Deep In The Hoopla (1986)
Charted: 66 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written by the Austrian composer and producer Peter Wolf together with his wife Ina (their marriage was later annulled). Peter Wolf (not the former singer of the J. Geils Band) was born in Vienna. He has had multiple Grammy nominations and has received his birthplace's highest honor, the "Great Honor Cross of the Republic of Austria for Art and Culture."
  • The song was named after the wife (at the time) of Starship's vocalist Mickey Thomas, who sang lead on the track. Thomas also sang on the Elvin Bishop Group's 1979 chart hit "Fooled Around And Fell In Love."
  • The video, directed by Francis Delia, features Mickey Thomas and actress Rebecca De Mornay (Risky Business). The storyline is about a farm devastated by a tornado.

Comments: 20

  • Sarah Lynn Wilson from Fremont, OhioI was named after this song and even God knows how much I love it because it describes my life perfectly. I was also names after Sarah smile and Sara by Fleetwood Mac and they all seem to envelop me well.
  • Larry Zalewski from Pittsburgh, PaFor as much undeserved flak as Starship received and still receives for their radio-friendly hit "We Built This City", they make up for it and then some with the song "Sara". The song and video just have a haunting, empty feeling. Brilliantly produced and arranged and Mickey Thomas' vocal is stunning. I feel alone and empty and longing to go back to 1987 and figure out why every time I hear this underrated gem. One of the best songs of the mid/late 1980s. Has aged very well and all those associated with it should be darn proud. And the video for the song was Oscar-worthy. Just an all-around classic.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1986 {February 15th} the official music video for Starship's "Sara" was aired on the ABC-TV Saturday-afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time "Sara" was at position #9 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, four weeks later it would peak at #1 {for 1 week}, and it spent twenty weeks on the Top 100...
    The following month "Sara" would also peak at #1 {for 1 week} on the Canadian RPM Singles chart...
    Between 1985 and 1991 the San Francisco-based band had eleven records on the Top 100 chart, four made the Top 10 with three reaching the #1 position, "We Built This City" for one week in November of 1985, the above "Sara", and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" for two weeks in March of 1987...
    Besides their three #1 records, their other Top 10 record was "It's Not Over (Til It's Over)", it reached #9 for one week in August of 1987...
    Bander leader Mickey Thomas, born John Michael Thomas, celebrated his 72nd birthday two months ago on December 3rd, 2020...
    And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Top 10 the week that "Sara" was in the #1 position:
    At #2. "These Dreams" by Heart
    #3. 'Kyrie" by Mr. Mister
    #4. "Secret Lovers" by Atlantic Starr
    #5. 'How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston
    #6. "R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A." by John Cougar Mellencamp
    #7. "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco
    #8. "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" by Mike + The Mechanics
    #9. "King For A Day" by The Thompson Twins
    #10. "Nikita" by Elton John
  • Michelle With Style from UsaTo "the mutt from Houston"- Do u honestly think that anyone is going to believe you wrote this song...SERIOUSLY? You can't even construct a sentence properly, or so that it makes sense, (i.e.):
    "And I am from Houston, Texas and not sure of the meaning of so many people taking so much pride and dishonesty in claiming they wrote songs that I wrote and cowrote."

    You don't start a sentence with "And."
    What is "the meaning of so many people taking so much pride and dishonesty" supposed to convey? How does a person take pride and dishonesty? YOU certainly are not the writer of this song, nor, most likely, any other known songs in this world. Don't try to take credit where it's not due. THAT is DISHONESTY!
  • Tony4832 from CincinnatiAnyone know where the farm is which was used to film this video?
  • The "mutt" from HoustonI am the Peter Wolf pseudonym who wrote Sara and sings some backup on the song. Esskayess from Dallas hits close to home what the song is about. And I am from Houston, Texas and not sure of the meaning of so many people taking so much pride and dishonesty in claiming they wrote songs that I wrote and cowrote. I am the songwriter for Sara.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenJeffrey, that isn't Grace Slick singing. It's Mickey Thomas.
  • Jeffrey from Kingston, NyA truly sad song and a fave of mine; I'm often disappointed and bewildered which songs are listed as "sad' by random people in online forums--as tho they have not had very much expose to music.
    I always found it very unusual that Grace Slick ended up singing on a song such as this, however.
    This song was written by an outside writer (Peter Wolf); however, it is common practice of hit-making artists who are required to continue with a record label. Heart, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and all of the biggest recording artists in the world use outside writers and previously published material.
  • Jay from CaFor me, this beautifully sad song sounds like a man grieving after a breakup with a woman who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder, as evidenced by the intensity of the unstable relationship and her deep-rooted anger (“Storms are brewing in your eyes”) that could sometimes result in abuse.
    This is a song about a true love that was doomed by meaningless yet painful conflicts of mysterious origin.
  • Patti from WisconsinThe original origin of this song was not written by any band member of starship.. Yes, they recorded it, made it a hit but they did not write it. How do I know? I know exactly who first wrote it, have known him all my life, but that is a private matter for now. Just wish he would have gotten credit for this amazing song.
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenWhen I was dumped by a girl who had turned into the "ice," I played this song so many times (with the volume turned up high) that I wore it out. Didn’t make me one bit less angry or bitter, but it saved my voice by doing the shouting for me.
  • Henry from Sanford, Florida, UsaThere is something to be said for great vocals and Mickey Thomas in the lead with Grace Slick backing him is an awesome 1-2 combination. This is the best of the three No. 1 Starship songs. Besides, my wife's name is Sera (yes, with an 'e').
  • Beck from Boca Raton, FlLove this song
  • Joe from Grants Pass, OrReally LOVE the song; just sometimes can't get over the "slapback" echo on the drums IMHO, maybe mixed a little too heavy ??
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxBeautiful, powerful and haunting. Always seems like a dirge to me, for the demise of love and a musical finger pointed at the one who killed it.
  • G. from Newport News, VaBased on the date of its release, the song may refer to Sarah Jane Smith, played by Lis Sladen, who had recently resigned her role on TV's Doctor Who. References to time, fire and ice, etc. seem to be clues.
  • Jessica from Tulsa, OkI love this song AND the video. It's so sweet. And I couldn't quite tell if that was Rebecca de mornay in the video until someone previously mentioned her in one of the comments.
  • Miles from Vancouver, CanadaPeter Wolf also played keyboards on Sheik Yerbouti and Joe's Garage.
  • Jayson from Wilkes-barre, United StatesIna Wolf (Former Wife) of Peter Wolf teamed up in 1987 and formed the Group "Vienna" made the album called "Guess What?" and delivered the most heart felt album I ever heard. Track 10 on the CD is called "July" you have got to hear her beautiful voice...It gives you the goosebumps all over..
  • Art from Valencia, CaVery haunting, beautiful video, about love lost....
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