(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

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

(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 now)
And I need you more than ever
And if you only hold me tight (if you only)
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right (and we'll never)
'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
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
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


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Total Eclipse Of The Heart [Single Version] Lyrics as written by James Richard Steinman

Lyrics © Kanjian Music

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Total Eclipse of the Heart song meanings
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  • +9
    General Comment

    I dont know why people think this is a sad song. Its a very uplifting song if you really read the lyrics. Its about a woman who is past her prime and shes "falling apart" because of it but her only comfort is knowing her man still loves her completely. Hence "your love is a total eclipse of the heart" When she starts losing it "or falling apart" he tells her "turn around" and she knows if she does he'll make her feel better. Thats why she says "i really need you tonight, forevers gonna start tonight." This is a beautiful LOVE song

    Jon112384on March 23, 2007   Link
  • +8
    General Comment

    A boyfriend i had long ago loved this song..& so did i..Suddenly in the prime of his life he passed away...at my final visit to his graveside..i wrote on a piece of paper "i need u now tonight..i need u more than ever..if u only hold me tight..we'll be holding on..f o r e v e r..." I never returned...

    musicmuseon September 08, 2002   Link
  • +8
    General Comment

    I found the meaning here: faqs.org/lyrics/Bonnie-Tyler-Total-Eclipse-of-the-Heart.html

    Long before singer Bonnie Tyler had a hit single with Total Eclipse of the Heart,'' songwriter Jim Steinman was already using the phraseturn 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.

    Michellelfon October 14, 2010   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    My gf broke up with me baout a week ago. I still cant get over here. I wrote her a good bye forever letter yesterday listening to this song, and just lost it. I couldnt stop crying. A song is only good if it instills emotions in you, and this one does it.

    vgnpwr801on February 17, 2005   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    Its about a woman being past her prettiset or her youngest "Bright eyes" refers to her past beauty and inner life. "Turnaround" refers to looking back. She's maybe just refering to an old love wishing he would hold her so that she can feel desirable again. that's why the video is so mad and full of school boys. Its all about youth and beauty and about it passing. Tru it can be related to anypone splitting up or feeling unloved or losing their love and feeling they need it all back but primarily i be;live the sonfg is abotu a need to feel beautiful and have your youth back again "Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by" "I'm always in the dark" "Once upon a time I was falling in love But now I'm only falling apart" "Once upon a time there was light in my life But now there's only love in the dark" I also think this song has something to do with not knowing what love is when you're young and throwing it away but now she realises ho important it is

    Jenezzyon February 11, 2006   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    Another thought crossed my mind when I listened to this song last night, and it's the line "Forever's gonna start tonight".

    I think that line means she is going to commit suicide. This song is a final attempt to get this guy to understand that it's either meant-to-be, or she might as well kill herself. Death lasts forever, after all.

    Not_1on August 11, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    this is the saddest, prettiest love song there is. i listened to it over and over after my first breakup. probably drove my family crazy.

    jaxgrrlon January 26, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This song is is about a passionate woman who is afraid of real love and found a new truth she did not expect to find, so she's fighting her own heart because she feels vulnerable.

    This woman is learning to open her heart through a deeper understanding of love, though it feels so vulnerable for her since she used to hide that heart which is a big heart but hidden.

    "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"

    She speaks of her love wanting to be held in her own vulnerability of learning to open her heart for this love greater than life, which releases her but frightens her a bit because nothing ever made her feel so vulnerable before.

    The holding on forever means she wants to be held forever by her love because she never felt such incredible force going through her; the power of love beyond love.

    "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)"

    The eclipse of the heart is a momentum in their love which is what the entire song comes down to; a powerful moment in a love like no other she wants to hold onto forever as said in further lyrics.

    "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"

    They're involved in a passionate, wonderous love that is mad in it's roots since it's so romantic it gives sparks and they're learning about themselves through it and the meaning of life, which can be turbulent but passionate and TRUE!!

    "I really need you tonight Forever's gonna start tonight Forever's gonna start tonight"

    That momentum, the eclipse of the heart, it describes the holding onto it by two lovers and making it eternal.. since the eclipse is a peak, an exalted event in this love, which is the beauty of real love since it's tragic, sad but potent and passion that is everything that takes it to a higher plane where it shines as the brightest star; this cosmic heart that brings two into one love.

    "Turn around bright eyes"

    Her love appearing to her at just the moment she was waiting for.

    lovespropheton November 07, 2014   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    THE BEST SONG!!! play this real loud and sing and be all dramatic even if your horrible at singing like me!!!!! im serious, its FUN!!!!!!!

    stupidpunkkidon August 01, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It does make sense when you say drugs, but I still highly doubt it.

    This song is one of the, possible "the", best song ever in my opinion. Even though I wasn't down at the moment, I listened to this song ALL the time the last winter for no reason at all. The first thing I did when I woke up was listen to it, I always had it on repeat on my stereo, always when at my computer, and I fell asleep listening to it.

    Now, when I can relate to the lyrics I actually don't listen to it as often. But whoever made that comment about having sex while listening to this song, I have to agree. Even though I have yet to have sex, I have had my share of solo-experiences and when you love music you can't resist to not go along with the sound and the beat, just like when you're dancing. I'm not trying to be "naughty" here, just passionate.

    Not_1on July 24, 2005   Link

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