I Get Weak

Album

Happiest, The

Label

MCA Records

Genre

Dance-pop

Composer(s)

Diane Eve Warren

Entered Chart

Jan 16, 1988

Peak Date

Mar 19, 1988

Released

January 1988

Recorded

Studio Ocean Way (Hollywood, California)

Catalog #

MCA 53242

B-Side

Should I Let You In?

In this song, Carlisle turns to jelly whenever she's near this irresistible guy. She's got it so bad for him, she can't even speak when he looks in her eyes. Hitmaker extraordinaire Diane Warren wrote this song and also another on the album, "World Without You." Her songs are often about the wash of love that happens during peak infatuation. Carlisle was a great singer for this type of song, but Warren could pull it off with just about anyone: her hits include "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith, "If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher and "When I See You Smile" by Bad English. This was the second single from Belinda Carlisle's second solo album, Heaven on Earth. Her group The Go-Go's went to #1 with their 1981 debut album Beauty and the Beat, but by their third album in 1984 they had lost their touch and were not enjoying each others' company. When they split in 1985, Carlisle remained signed to their label, I.R.S., which teamed her with top songwriters and musicians, including her Go-Go's bandmate Charlotte Caffey. Her lead single, "Mad About You," set the tone for her solo sound, keeping much of the frothy fun of The Go-Go's but with a more adult sound. It was a hit, but "Heaven Is A Place On Earth," her first single from Heaven on Earth, was even bigger, going to #1 in many countries, including America. With that lead in, "I Get Weak" had little chance of failure. The video was directed by the actress Diane Keaton, who also did Carlisle's video for "Heaven Is A Place On Earth." Carlisle married the actor Morgan Mason in 1986, but her love interest in the video is played by Tony Ward, who was one of Madonna's mermen in her "Cherish" video. Diane Warren originally thought the song would be a good fit for Stevie Nicks. It was Nicks and her producer who suggested it might be a better fit for Carlisle.

When I'm with you
I shake inside
My heart's all tangled up
My tongue is tied it's crazy

Can't walk, can't talk, can't eat, can't sleep
Oh, I'm in love, oh I'm in deep 'cause baby

With a kiss you can strip me defenseless
With a touch I completely lose control
'Til all that's left of my strength is a memory, whoa

I get weak when I look at you
Weak when we touch
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak when you're next to me
Weak from this love
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak

Convincing eyes, persuasive lips
The helpless heart just can't resist their power

You know you've got a hold over me
You know you've got me where I want to be 'cause lover

Like a wave you keep pulling me under
How I'll ever get out of this I don't know
I just know there's just no way to fight it, whao

I get weak when I look at you
Weak when we touch
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak when you're next to me
Weak from this love
I'm in deep when I look in your eyes
I get weak I get weak I get weak

Just a kiss you can strip me defenseless
Just a touch I completely lose control
'Til all that's left of my strength is a memory, whoa

I get weak when I look at you
Weak when we touch
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak when you're next to me
Weak from this love
I can't speak when I look in your eyes
I get weak I get weak I get weak