Virginia is set to experience anywhere between 86 and 91 percent of the solar eclipse today. While the Commonwealth is not in the path of totality, it is not far off either. Given that this is (kinda, sorta) a once in a life time experience, RVA Mag wanted to bring attention to the one thing all people should be aware of today.
Namely, that euphonious superstar and pioneering musician Bonnie Tyler will perform her 1983 masterpiece, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” aboard Royal Caribbean’s Total Eclipse Cruise today. Her performance will not only coincide with the path of totality, but will be backed by Jonas Brothers sensation Joe Jonas and his band, DNCE. According to the cruise line, they will maneuver their ship in the path of solar totality while Tyler croons melodious lyrics like, “Turn around, every now and then I get a little bit terrified…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.”
The correlation and interest between solar and lunar eclipses and Tyler’s sonic pièce de résistance is hardly coincidental. According to Time Magazine, Spotify has charted a 75 percent increase in streams of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” during these astronomical events, while the video for her single has now been viewed over 300 million times on YouTube. This should come as no surprise when lyrics like, ” 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” are juxtaposed against the 2 hours and 40 minutes it will take to cross the US – dimming skies and ushering in feelings of dread, hope, and unease, the likes of which only Tyler can help us make sense.
Tyler’s performance on the ship Oasis of the Seas, which will be cruising somewhere between Orlando and the Caribbean, will set the stage for a cosmic showdown–one that will pit the forces of time and space against the time and space required to listen to “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in its totality (zing!) as it pass through Virginia around 2:40 pm today.
Other notable songs from 1983, which have nothing to do with the solar eclipse, but should be mentioned anyways are: “Separate Ways” by Journey, “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie, “Mr. Roboto” by Styx, and “She Works Hard for Her Money” by Donna Summer.
If you still need an excuse to head to your favorite rooftop bar, refer to RVA Mag’s guide for the top five religious myths that can get you out of work during any solar eclipse, found here.
