Bonnie Tyler‘s biggest hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” got a big boost as the moon sped along the path of totality Monday.
While millions throughout North America gathered to view the 2024 solar eclipse, the 1983 power ballad surged in searches on digital streaming platforms.
A Spotify spokesperson confirmed to CNN that more people than ever before are looking for the song, with searches soaring by nearly 50% in the U.S. within the last week.
“Total Eclipse of the Heart,” written and produced by Meatloaf collaborator Jim Steinman as a “vampire love song,” is also the most popular song being added to user-generated eclipse-themed playlists on the platform in the US.
The track was reportedly one of the top 10 most purchased songs on iTunes Monday.
According to Billboard, downloads of the song increased more than 500% the last time an eclipse happened in the US, in 2017.
“I still get excited when I hear the song on the radio,” Tyler, 72, told “Good Morning America” on Monday. “Every time the eclipse comes, everyone all over the world, they play ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ and I never get tired of singing it.”
Upon its release in 1983, the song was No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart for four weeks.
The Welsh singer was nominated the following year for a Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy award.
In September 2023, the music video for the song entered YouTube’s billion views club.
Other songs are also getting some airplay today in honour of the celestial spectacle.
Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” was heard as the intro to the many news segments about the Eclipse on 1010 WINS in New York City. The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” and Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon” also got a bump throughout Larry Mullins’ afternoon drive-time broadcast today.
