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Bonnie Tyler, known for her distinctive raspy voice and striking blonde hair, rose to international fame with her iconic 1980s hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Originally named Gaynor Hopkins, the Welsh singer has seen her signature ballad reach a monumental milestone by surpassing one billion streams on Spotify, solidifying the song’s legacy as one of the greatest power ballads ever recorded. Despite this massive achievement, Tyler revealed that the financial returns from the streaming success have been minimal.
Tyler, who hails from Neath, Wales, began her musical journey in humble surroundings, growing up in a council house and nurturing a passion for music from an early age. She was discovered by talent scout Roger Bell at a club in Swansea, and released her first single, “Lost in France,” in 1977. However, it was the release of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in 1983 that truly transformed her career. The song’s original recording is notably lengthy, clocking in at eight minutes, but a shortened four-minute version captured worldwide attention, topping charts in both the UK and US.
Reflecting on the song’s origins, Tyler recounted how she first heard the demo play on the piano when songwriter Jim Steinman unveiled it in New York. She expressed amazement at being given the song, never anticipating its phenomenal success. Over four decades later, Tyler celebrated receiving a plaque from Spotify recognizing the one billion streams. She expressed gratitude and surprise at the achievement, noting how the song continues to appear in advertisements and films, keeping it alive across generations. Tyler shared her enthusiasm and never-ending fondness for performing the track, saying, “Never, I never get tired of singing it, I love it because everyone can’t wait to sing it.”
Despite the enormous popularity of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and its 1.2 billion views on YouTube, Tyler admitted that the royalties earned through streaming are “just about nothing.” In the same week she received the plaque from Spotify, she was also awarded a gold disk for David Guetta’s track “Together,” which samples her song. Yet, rather than marking the occasion with a celebration, Tyler joked that all she planned to do was take some photos and have her nephew put the plaques up in her music room. Continually active in her career, the Grammy-nominated artist has enjoyed several hits beyond her signature song, including “Holding Out for a Hero,” and she represented the UK at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. Recognized for her contributions to music, Tyler was honored with an MBE by Prince William in 2023 after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list the previous year. Now 74, Tyler remains enthusiastic about performing live, with tour dates planned for the spring, encouraging fans to join her shows and enjoy the experience
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