On this day in music history: October 1, 1983 - Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks. Written and produced by Jim Steinman, it will be the biggest hit for the Welsh born singer. Having previously scored a big hit in 1978 with Its A Heartache (#3 Pop), Bonnie Tyler (birth name Gaynor Hopkins) will struggle to repeat that success. By 1981, frustrated with her management and label RCA Records, Tyler will part ways with both, finding a new manager and signing a new deal with CBS Records. Finally able to choose her own material to record, Tyler will contact songwriter and producer Jim Steinman, asking if he will produce her. Best known for his work with Meat Loaf, including the classic Bat Out Of Hell album, Steinman will accept the offer. Steinman will invite the singer to his New York City apartment, playing her several songs on the piano with singer Rory Dodd performing the vocals. One that will immediately stand out is Total Eclipse Of The Heart. Tyler will immediately love the songs pathos and drama and agree to record it. Recorded at Greene Street Studios, The Power Station, and Right Track Studios in New York, the track features musicians Max Weinberg and Roy Bittan from the E Street Band, guitarist Rick Derringer and Rory Dodd. The songs epic music video will also be conceived by Steinman and is directed by Russell Mulcahy (Duran Duran, the film Highlander). The nearly seven minute long track is pared down to under four and a half minutes for single release in Europe, but Columbia Records in the US will opt to release a slightly longer version of Total Eclipse running just over a minute longer. Fearing that radio stations will be frightened off by its length, they will purposely list the songs running time as 4:29 instead of the actual timing of 5:32. US radio and fans will be none the wiser when it quickly becomes a smash after its initial release in Europe. Entering the Hot 100 at #75 on July 16, 1983, it will climb to the top of the chart eleven weeks later. Total Eclipse Of The Heart will become a major hit again when British singer Nicki Frenchs uptempo dance take of the song will peak at number two on the Hot 100 in June of 1995. More recently, the song will be spoofed in a series of commercials for Fiber One snack bars. Total Eclipse Of The Heart is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 23:00:22 +0000
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