Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart - Lyrics Meaning

Long before singer Bonnie Tyler had a hit single with "Total Eclipse of the Heart," songwriter Jim Steinman was already using the phrase "turn around bright eyes" in a song from his 1969 musical, "The Dream Engine." Then, according to singer Meat Loaf, the song was slated to appear on his 1983 album, "Midnight at the Lost and Found," but he couldn't get his record company to pay for Steinman's lyrics. The song was then passed along to Tyler, whose raspy vocals contributed to the song's success, hitting #1 on music charts worldwide.

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

The song was inspired by the relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff in the novel, "Wuthering Heights." While they shared an intense, passionate love for each other, their relationship was also toxic and destructive.

And so it is in "Total Eclipse of the Heart." The singer is afraid to have her lover in her life, yet terrified at the thought he might leave. When they're together, their relationship is explosive, but when they're apart, the singer can find no light in her life. The lyrics clearly show just how torn the singer is.