Peak
6
Weeks
19
Score
2,457
Chart Year
1989
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.
Is it that we've been Together much too long The answer may not be In black and white We're always trying to Prove who's right or wrong And now were giving up Without a fight But I know when you're gone I'll wish I'd held on So, baby, surrender to me (Surrender) There'll be no holding back now So, baby, surrender to me Tonight (tonight) I don't want our love To cause you so much pain If this is how it's gonna be I'll walk away, baby No, neither one of us Should ever say goodbye Let's forget about the past And who's to blame 'Cause when this is all gone We'll wish we'd held on So, baby, surrender to me (Surrender) There'll be no holding back now So, baby, surrender to me Tonight (tonight) How could this love be in danger It used to be so good, so right To think that fate Could make us strangers Has thrown me in your arms tonight Whoa, yeah Whoa, oh Now, now, now So, baby, surrender to me (Surrender) There'll be no holding back now So, baby, surrender to me Tonight (tonight) Surrender, surrender Surrender Lyrics licensed and provid
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 24, 1988 | 80 | 46 |
| 2 | Dec 31, 1988 | 80 | 46 |
| 3 | Jan 7, 1989 | 53 | 73 |
| 4 | Jan 14, 1989 | 46 | 80 |
| 5 | Jan 21, 1989 | 35 | 91 |
| 6 | Jan 28, 1989 | 26 | 100 |
| 7 | Feb 4, 1989 | 20 | 106 |
| 8 | Feb 11, 1989 | 16 | 110 |
| 9 | Feb 18, 1989 | 11 | 115 |
| 10 | Feb 25, 1989 | 11 | 115 |
| 11 | Mar 4, 1989 | 9 | 117 |
| 12 | Mar 11, 1989 | 6 | 120 |
| 13 | Mar 18, 1989 | 18 | 108 |
| 14 | Mar 25, 1989 | 29 | 97 |
| 15 | Apr 1, 1989 | 47 | 79 |
| 16 | Apr 8, 1989 | 65 | 61 |
| 17 | Apr 15, 1989 | 77 | 49 |
| 18 | Apr 22, 1989 | 85 | 41 |
| 19 | Apr 29, 1989 | 98 | 28 |