The Meaning Behind The Song: Sara by Starship
Starship’s hit single “Sara” climbed the charts and topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. Written by songwriter and vocalist Mickey Thomas and producer Peter Wolf, “Sara” is a nostalgic tune about lost love. However, the song is much more than just a love song. It is a tribute to a woman who was much more to Thomas, and its meaning goes much deeper than it appears on the surface.
Table of Contents
The Inspiration
The song’s inspiration comes from Thomas’s tumultuous relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Sara Pew. They had dated and broken up multiple times before she tragically died in 1985 in a car accident. Thomas couldn’t shake the feeling of regret that he had not been there for Sara in her final moments.
In an interview with Songfacts, Thomas said, “I was really in love with her, and she was the one who got away, so to speak. Sara and I had a tumultuous relationship. We would break up and get back together, break up and get back together, and it always seemed like we were meant to be together, but it never worked out.”
The Lyrics
The lyrics of “Sara” tell the story of Thomas’s love for Sara. They speak of longing for a lost love and regret for not being able to be there for her in times of need. He sings,
“Go now, don’t look back, we’ve drawn the line,
Move on, it’s no good to go back in time,
I’ll never find another girl like you,
For happy endings, it takes two.”
These lyrics reflect Thomas’s feelings of loss and regret, but the lyrics also represent closure. He realized that their relationship was over, and he had to move on with his life.
The Music Video
The music video for “Sara” features Thomas wandering through the forest, singing about his love for Sara. The video is set in the woods, and the imagery is impressive, with a treehouse and aerial shots of the forest. The video’s simplicity and the focus on Thomas’s performance bring the song’s emotions to life.
The Legacy
“Sara” has a lasting legacy in the world of music. It has been covered by many artists over the years and featured in various movies and TV shows. It remains a favorite for many, and it is played on classic rock radio stations across the world.
In 2011, forty-five radio stations across the United States played “Sara” simultaneously in tribute to the death of Sara Pew. The tribute aimed to honor the woman who inspired the song and draw attention to the prevalence of drunk driving.
The Impact
“Sara” had a massive impact on the music industry and Starship. The song propelled the band to new heights, and they went on to produce other hit songs like “We Built This City” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” The success of “Sara” also solidified Mickey Thomas’s position as the band’s lead singer.
In conclusion, “Sara” is a classic song that has stood the test of time. Its message of lost love and closure is something that resonates with many people, and its inspiration shows how much music can be influenced by our personal experiences. The legacy of “Sara” will continue to live on in the hearts of many music lovers, and its impact on the music industry is undeniable.
