by Mark Nobes, chief editor
7 inch vinyl sleeve front
In the U.S. and Canada, the song became Starship's third number one - "We Built This City" and "Sara" topped the charts in both countries during 1985.
The B-side featured "Layin' It On The Line" recorded live at Stopher Gym in Lousiana State University. This was included on the A-side as track 2 on the 12" vinyl. The B-side of the 12 inch featured "We Built This City (Special Clubmix)" (7:00) and "Tomorrow Doesn't Matter Tonight" (3:41).
"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" was written by Albert Hammond (he co-wrote the 1977 hit "When I Need You" for Leo Sayer), Diane Warren (she also penned "Rhythm of the Night" for DeBarge), and Richard Hulle. It was produced by Narada Michael Walden for Perfection Light Productions, and he appears in the video with the band. He also produced Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know".
The video featured footage from Mannequin mixed with the band performing the song. Frontman Mickey Thomas is seen arriving outside a fashion store on a Harley Davidson motorbike. As in the movie, he pursues the mannequin in the window, who is played by Grace Slick, which comes to life and joins him in singing the lyrics. Slick was 47 at the time of the record's release, making her the oldest female to achieve No.1 in the states, at the time.
Other band members were Donny Baldwin on drums and extra vocals, Pete Sears on bass, and Craig Chaquico on lead guitar.
In 2013, the song was used in a TV advert for telecommunications company Talk Talk. The single entered the UK singles chart at No.39 on 14th Sept, and fell back to No.59 the following week.
12 inch Maxi Single sleeve front
No Protection vinyl LP (1987)