Total Eclipse of the Heart

When Jim Steinman set out to create an epic ballad for Bonnie Tyler, he sought to evoke the grandeur of Phil Spector's production. The result was Total Eclipse of the Heart, a song that, despite its dramatic intensity, had to be shortened to fit the radio. The original version ran for over seven minutes, but it was reduced to just over four and a half minutes for broadcast. This piece became Tyler's biggest hit, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, where it remained for four consecutive weeks at number one. In the US, it was the sixth-best song of the year in 1983 according to Billboard. The song also received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

The genesis of Total Eclipse of the Heart dates back to 1982, when Bonnie Tyler, seeking a new direction after her contract with RCA Records ended, encountered Jim Steinman. After seeing a Meat Loaf performance, Tyler approached the composer of Bat Out of Hell hoping he would produce her next album. Steinman presented Tyler with two songs, and the collaboration solidified. Weeks later, Steinman and Rory Dodd performed Total Eclipse of the Heart for her. The phrase "Turn around, bright eyes" had already appeared in a 1969 Steinman musical, and the main verse melody originated from his soundtrack for the 1980 film *A Small Circle of Friends*. The recording took place at the Power Station studios in New York, and the song was released as the lead single from the album Faster Than the Speed of Night in 1983. Worldwide, it has sold over six million copies.