The song, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”, was originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler in 1983
Meat Loaf’s mate Jim Steinman (1947-2021) wrote and produced “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”, which ran to just under seven minutes, for smoky-voiced Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler (b.1951) in 1983. It was released in February that year as the lead single from her fifth studio album and followed her 1977 smash “It’s A Heartache” into the charts and reached No.1 in both the UK and the US. Worldwide it went on to sell over six million copies and make No.1 in over a dozen countries, becoming Bonnie’s biggest seller and best known tune.
If anyone dared to take on the song for a cover it would be Mike Stock and Matt Aitken. They revived the Rock anthem as a Pop-Dance tune for the new artist they were working with in 1994, Nicki French. She released her version in October that year, but it was not until the beginning of 1995 that it began to get play and be heard. Eventually, Nicki’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” would peak at No.2 Stateside and No.5 in the UK as well as a top 40 placing in more than 25 countries globally. Her version has sold over a million copies and perhaps remains her best known tune, despite representing the UK at the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest.
But which version is the best? BONNIE’s original or NICKI’s cover?
Take a look at some of the other posts in this series and don’t forget to follow the playlist.
Talk About Pop Music 