Synopsis

A documentary filmmaker working in an unnamed Central American country is badly injured after approaching a bomb. As he lies near death, he drifts through memories of his life, revisiting his relationship with his wife and other fragments from the past. Don Johnson performs "Heartbeat" within the film's dramatic framework, while scenes with Lori Singer give the song a romantic and reflective dimension. The clip is part of a larger, dialogue-free music-video feature built around Johnson's 1986 album.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Heartbeat" was not conceived solely as a conventional promotional clip. It formed part of an approximately hour-long music-video feature incorporating the songs from Don Johnson's debut album.

• The project was developed during Johnson's peak "Miami Vice" fame and was presented as an attempt to merge a feature film's narrative with the album format.

• HBO premiered the music-video feature in January 1987. A slightly longer version was subsequently prepared for home-video release.

• The production reportedly had a budget of about $2 million, financed through CBS Records.

• Lori Singer plays the filmmaker's wife. The feature also includes appearances by Paul Shaffer, Giancarlo Esposito, Sandahl Bergman, David Carradine, Luis Guzman, and Willie Nelson.

• Johnson's recording is a cover of a song written by Wendy Waldman and Eric Kaz. Released as a single in 1986, it reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

• The success of the single helped Johnson win Rolling Stone readers' "best new vocalist" poll for 1986, an achievement that reflected the unusual crossover between his television career and pop music.