“Obsession” was originally written and recorded as a duet by songwriters Michael Des Barres and Holly Knight for the soundtrack of the 1983 romantic drama film A Night in Heaven. It appears during a scene in the film where Rick Monroe (played by Christopher Atkins) dances and performs a striptease for Faye Hanlon (played by Lesley Ann Warren). It was also used in the trailer for the 1986 film 9½ Weeks.
In 1985, the song was popularized by American synthpop band Animotion, who covered and released the song as the lead single from their self-titled debut album. This version became a worldwide hit for the band and their most successful song, peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 20 in seven countries.