About the song
The song “Sara,” recorded by the American rock band Starship, holds a significant place in the music history of the 1980s. Released as part of their debut album “Knee Deep in the Hoopla,” the track soared to the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart on March 15, 1986. Sung by Mickey Thomas, with backing vocals by Grace Slick, “Sara” marked the band’s second consecutive number-one hit following “We Built This City.”
Named after Sara Kendrick, Mickey Thomas’s wife at the time, the song resonated widely, becoming one of the best-selling singles of 1986 in North America. Notably, it also topped the adult contemporary chart for three consecutive weeks, showcasing its broad appeal across different listener demographics.
Critically, “Sara” was praised for its melodic balladry with a rock edge, highlighted by Mickey Thomas’s compelling vocal delivery and an ethereal chorus accompanied by subtle guitars. Cash Box described it as a blend of emotional depth and musical craftsmanship, enhancing its lasting impact.
In the realm of music videos, “Sara” further enriched its narrative through visual storytelling. The video prominently featured Mickey Thomas alongside actress Rebecca De Mornay, portraying the poignant storyline of a relationship’s dissolution set against the backdrop of a Dust Bowl farm in the Midwest. Directed by Francis Delia, the video interweaved flashbacks to the protagonist’s childhood and the tragic tornado that shaped his life, underscoring the song’s themes of loss and memory.
Despite varying critical assessments over the years, with some labeling it as emblematic of the excesses of 1980s pop rock, “Sara” remains a poignant marker in Starship’s discography. Its enduring popularity and emotional resonance continue to captivate audiences, cementing its place as a quintessential ballad of the era that transcends mere nostalgia to evoke deeper reflections on love and loss.
Video
Lyrics
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
We’re fire and ice, the dream won’t come true
Sara, Sara, storms are brewin’ in your eyes
Sara, Sara, no time is a good time for goodbyes
Danger in the game when the stakes are high
Branded, my heart was branded while my senses stood by
I’ll never find another girl like you, for happy endings it takes two
We’re fire and ice, the dream won’t come true
Sara, Sara, storms are brewin’ in your eyes
Sara, Sara, no time is a good time, oh
Sara, Sara, storms are brewin’ in your eyes
Sara, Sara, no time is a good time for goodbyes
loved me like no one has ever loved me before
(And Sara) hurt me, no one could ever hurt me more
(And Sara) Sara, nobody loved me anymore
I’ll never find another girl like you, no
We’re fire and ice, and a dream
Sara
Sara, Sara no time is a good time, oh
Sara, Sara, storms are brewin’ in your eyes
Sara, Sara, no time is a good time, for good bye’s
Sara, Sara, storms are brewin’ in your eyes
Sara, Sara no time like the first time
Sara, Sara
Ooh Sara, why did it, why did it, why did it all fall apart
Sara, Sara (uh Sara)
Sara