Total Eclipse of the Heart

Listen while you read:  You knew this was coming, right?

(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
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
Now I'm only falling apart
And 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

~  James Richard Steinman (for Bonnie Tyler)

So here I am on a beautiful day in Clayton, Georgia, eagerly anticipating the big event planned for tomorrow afternoon. I am at Ed's brother's house, high on a mountain overlooking 82 acres of green, awash in a stillness that is only interrupted by the persistent locust cries. And beyond this mountain lie another 400 acres of pristine beauty owned by the US Department of Agriculture. I do not think city lights or noise are going to interfere with viewing the total eclipse tomorrow. The weather forecast looks damn near perfect. And yes, we have our solar eclipse glasses. I'm feeling very fortunate.

James Steinman, who wrote this song for Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler (and who also wrote most of Meat Loaf's hit songs), said it was originally intended to be a "vampire love song." Well, the video is Gothic enough to support that intention. "It's all about the darkness, the power of darkness, and love's place in darkness," he stated. The 1983 chart-topping song appears on Faster Than the Speed of Night. And ever since, it has been a karaoke favorite. Go ahead, sing along! With passion!

It's all about the darkness. And it seems that we are living in dark times. We're living in a powder keg. But I made a promise to Ed that we would take a vacation from the news while we are here, so I am not going to go where you just thought I was going. And anyway, this is really a love song, vampire or not, right? I will just tell you that reunions are sweet, and I am happy to once again be with someone I love. And under some fine circumstances, too.

Now there is one other place to be tomorrow that might be equal in awesomeness to where I am. Check this out: Bonnie Tyler is going to be performing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" aboard the MS Oasis of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship with a capacity of 6,296, during the ship's passage through the swath of totality! It will only cost you $3,676 per person to be on board! And forgive the rhyme, but here's a bonus; in the back-up band will be Joe Jonas!

Oh, wait. I'm sorry. By the time you read this, that ship will have sailed. Too late.

As for me, I'd much rather be exactly where I am for this wondrous event. Where there's only love in the dark.