Total Eclipse of the Heart

**Total Eclipse of the Heart** is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was written and produced by Jim Steinman, and released on Tyler's fifth studio album, *Faster Than the Speed of Night* (1983). The song was released as a single by Columbia Records on February 11, 1983 in the United Kingdom and on May 31, 1983 in the United States.

In 2010, One Direction performed the song on Week 4 of *X Factor* Series 7 Live Shows.

## Background

After her contract with RCA Records ended in 1981, Tyler found a new manager in David Aspden and approached Meat Loaf's producer Jim Steinman and asked him to be her producer. Tyler visited Steinman in his apartment in New York in April 1982 with her manager, where she was presented with two tracks. She stated that had she not liked the songs Steinman played for her. She returned to his studio apartment weeks later, where Steinman and Rory Dodd presented "Total Eclipse of the Heart" to her.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" had to be shortened for radio play. The song was reduced from seven minutes to four minutes and thirty seconds.

The power ballad remains Tyler's most successful song, peaking at No. 1 in the United States, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

## Lyrics

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I get a little bit lonely

And you're never coming round

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I get a little bit tired

Of listening to the sound of my tears

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I get a little bit nervous

That the best of all the years have gone by

(Turn around)

Every now and then I get a little bit terrified

And then I see the look in your eyes

(Turn around, bright eyes)

Every now and then I fall apart

(Turn around, bright eyes)

Every now and then

I fall apart

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I get a little bit restless

And I dream of something wild

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I get a little bit helpless

And I'm lying like a child in your arms

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I get a little bit angry

And I know I've got to get out and cry

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I get a little bit terrified

But then I see the look in your eyes

(Turn around, bright eyes)

Every now and then

I fall apart

Turn around, bright eyes

Every now and then

I fall apart

And I need you now tonight

And I need you more than ever

And if you only hold me tight

We'll be holding on forever

And we'll only be making it right

'Cause we'll never be wrong

Together we can take it to the end of the line

Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)

I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark

We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

I really need you tonight

Forever's gonna start tonight

(Forever's gonna start tonight)

Once upon a time I was falling in love

But now I'm only falling apart

There's nothing I can do

A total eclipse of the heart

Once upon a time there was light in my life

But now there's only love in the dark

Nothing I can say

A total eclipse of the heart

[Instrumental interlude]

(Turn around, bright eyes)

(Turn around, bright eyes)

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I know you'll never be the boy

You always wanted to be

(Turn around)

But every now and then

I know you'll always be the only boy

Who wanted me the way that I am

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I know there's no one in the universe

As magical and wondrous as you

(Turn around)

Every now and then

I know there's nothing any better

There's nothing that I just wouldn't do

(Turn around, bright eyes)

Every now and then I fall apart

(Turn around, bright eyes)

Every now and then I fall apart

And I need you now tonight

And I need you more than ever

And if you only hold me tight

We'll be holding on forever

And we'll only be making it right

'Cause we'll never be wrong

Together we can take it to the end of the line

Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time (all of the time)

I don't know what to do

I'm always in the dark

Living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

I really need you tonight

Forever's gonna start tonight

(Forever's gonna start tonight)

Once upon a time I was falling in love

But now I'm only falling apart

There's nothing I can do

A total eclipse of the heart

Once upon a time there was light in my life

But now there's only love in the dark

Nothing I can say

A total eclipse of the heart

A total eclipse of the heart

A total eclipse of the heart

(Turn around, bright eyes)

(Turn around, bright eyes)

(Turn around)