BELINDA CARLISLE - I GET WEAK

Released: January 1988

Charts:  UK: #10  US: #2 

Released in January 1988 as the second single from “Heaven on Earth”, Belinda Carlisle’s “I Get Weak” captured the intoxicating vulnerability that comes with falling hopelessly in love. Written by Diane Warren and produced by Rick Nowels, the song followed the global success of “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” and became another major hit—peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 in Canada, and No. 10 in the United Kingdom.

At its heart, “I Get Weak” is about surrender—about the dizzying loss of composure that love can bring. Carlisle’s warm, emotive voice gives life to Warren’s lyrics of infatuation and helpless desire: a woman so captivated by someone that she literally loses her balance when he looks her way. 

Hit songwriter Diane Warren originally penned the track with Stevie Nicks in mind, but producer Rick Nowels—who had worked extensively with both Nicks and Carlisle—felt that it was a better fit for Belinda. His instinct proved right. Carlisle’s combination of strength and vulnerability brought emotional depth to Warren’s melodic hooks, transforming the song into one of her defining performances.

Warren, who became one of the most prolific hitmakers of the modern era, was at a creative peak during this time. Her catalogue already included and would go on to feature timeless anthems such as “If I Could Turn Back Time” (Cher), “When I See You Smile” (Bad English), and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (Aerosmith).  Following the monumental success of “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” expectations were high, and “I Get Weak” did not disappoint. 

The music video, was directed by actress Diane Keaton—who had also helmed “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”. Shot in a mixture of black-and-white and color, it portrayed Carlisle in moments of passion and reflection, often mixed within the same frame. Her on-screen love interest was Tony Ward, a model and actor who would appear in Madonna’s “Justify My Love” and “Cherish” videos.