Bonnie Tyler

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Totale Finsternis

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler and the song "TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART": a musical encounter that was more a matter of chance than design. American composer Jim Steinman had originally conceived the powerful ballad for his compatriot, the singer Meat Loaf. Loaf was known for his eccentric stage performances and his theatrical, operatic rock voice. Consequently, Steinman—a classically trained composer and self-confessed Wagner enthusiast—tailored a bombastic epic specifically for his protégé, one that, not only because of its (initial) runtime of a good seven minutes, certainly stands up to comparison with other pop masterpieces such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen or "Music" by John Miles.

However, due to various disagreements between producer Steinman and his artist, Meat Loaf dropped out as the performer of "TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART." Bonnie Tyler eventually expressed interest in the song. She immediately recognized the immense power of this colossal track, which stands as a perfect example of the exuberance of the 1980s: passion, drama, and an exorbitantly high level of recognizability are the ingredients for a story steeped in loneliness, longing, and loss. The music’s character—as powerful as it is vulnerable—was a perfect match for Tyler’s "grating voice," which was initially severely affected by surgery but later became her unmistakable trademark.

The singer and songwriter made music history with this song. In 1983, it became a global hit and sold more than six million copies. The accompanying music video—which was completely innovative for its time—also catapulted the rock anthem into unimagined heights. Even decades later, "TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART" remains among the 500 best pop songs on the American Billboard charts. It’s not just film and television that have used Steinman’s magnum opus. The metaphorical overshadowing of love by pain was also used as an epic backdrop to a "total eclipse" in the form of a real solar eclipse.

Just a few days after I completed my arrangement, Bonnie Tyler passed away at the age of 75. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was the biggest hit of her career, making her the only Welsh artist to achieve a No. 1 hit in the U.S. Without a doubt, this pop music milestone will always be associated with Bonnie Tyler’s unique voice and magnificent interpretation, ensuring she remains unforgettable.

THIEMO KRAAS – Münster, July 2026

Musical Note:
The solo parts at the beginning and end of the arrangement are notated as figurative notes in numerous other instruments, thus allowing for performance by many different instrumental combinations. In addition, a (two-part) vocal part is included with the sheet music.

Sound Classics Series No. 18