When the moon blocks the sun and casts its shadow on Earth, an eclipse occurs. Eclipses have been romanticized in songs for centuries, with different interpretations of what an eclipse means. Whether it’s an astronomical event or a metaphor for a broken relationship, these 20 songs will give you a glimpse into the different ways artists have interpreted this phenomenon.
By the way, if you’re looking for more songs about eclipse, you might find some good songs in our other articles, such as songs about june, songs about radio, songs about the moon, songs about the night sky, and songs about the sun.Total Eclipse Of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was released on 20 May 1983 as a single from her fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night. The song was written and produced by Jim Steinman, and features backing vocals from Rory Dodd. Steinman had originally offered the song to Meat Loaf, but felt that it did not suit his style. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” is a pop rock ballad which builds from an initial soft piano-led intro before increasing in tempo and volume.
Total Eclipse – Iron Maiden
Total Eclipse is a song by the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released as the lead single from their sixth studio album, Somewhere in Time. The song is about the total solar eclipse of 11 August 1999. The lyrics were written by guitarist Adrian Smith, and the music was composed by bassist Steve Harris. The single was a commercial success, reaching number four in the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been included on several of Iron Maiden’s live albums and compilations, and was performed live on their 2000–01 world tour.
The Dark of the Sun – Tom Petty
“The Dark of the Sun” is a song by Tom Petty, released in 1994. The song is about a total solar eclipse, and its lyrics describe the experience of seeing the sun “go dark” and the moon “rise up.” The song also includes a reference to the film The Eclipse, which Petty had starred in. “The Dark of the Sun” was included on Petty’s album She’s the One, and it was later released as a single. The song peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Promises in the Dark – Pat Benatar
Promises in the Dark is a song by Pat Benatar that was released in 1982. The song is about an eclipse, and how the darkness can be frightening but also strangely beautiful. The lyrics describe the experience of watching the eclipse, and how the world seems to stand still during those few minutes of darkness. The song has a dark and atmospheric feel, which reflects the experience of watching an eclipse. However, there is also a sense of wonder and awe in the lyrics, which captures the feeling of seeing something truly amazing. Promises in the Dark is a classic song about one of nature’s most incredible phenomena.
Beware of Darkness – George Harrison
Beware of Darkness is a song written by George Harrison and released on his 1970 album, All Things Must Pass. The lyrics are a warning about the dangers of eclipse, and the song has been described as “a urgent message delivered with simple elegance.” The song was inspired by a dream Harrison had in which he saw an eclipse happening and felt a sense of foreboding. The lyrics reflect Harrison’s concern about the potential for disaster during an eclipse, and he has said that the song is “meant to be a warning.”
Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
Black Hole Sun is a song by American rock band Soundgarden, released in 1994 as the third single from their fourth studio album, Superunknown (1994). The song was written by frontman Chris Cornell, and produced by Michael Beinhorn and Soundgarden. Black Hole Sun topped many charts around the world, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Sounds of Silence – Simon and Garfunkel
Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” is a song about the eclipse. The song begins with the sound of an eclipse, which is followed by the sound of silence. This silence is then broken by the sound of a person speaking. The person speaks about how the eclipse has made them feel, and how they are now able to see the world in a new way. The song then ends with the sound of an eclipse, which once again leaves the world in silence. “The Sound of Silence” is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the feeling of awe and wonder that comes with experiencing an eclipse.
Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band released their cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light” in 1976, and the song quickly became a global hit. The song is an ode to eclipses, and the band’s use of synthesizers and horns gives the song a unique sound that evokes the wonder and awe of witnessing an eclipse. The lyrics describe the sensation of seeing an eclipse for the first time, and how the experience can be both exhilarating and frightening. The song has been used in numerous movies and TV shows, and its iconic sound has cemented its place as one of the most popular eclipse songs of all time.
Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen
“Dancing in the Dark” is a song by American rock singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was released as the lead single from his 1984 album, Born in the U.S.A. The song was written by Springsteen and produced by Jon Landau and Springsteen. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Springsteen’s highest-charting single in the United States at that time. In Billboard magazine’s year-end Top 100 chart for 1984, “Dancing in the Dark” was ranked at number five. The song has sold over two million copies in the United States.
The song is about hope and disappointment. The narrator is at a dance, hoping to find romance and excitement, but instead feels isolated and alone. He tries to remain positive, telling himself that “dancing in the dark” will eventually lead him to his “downtown girl.” However, as the song goes on, it becomes clear that the narrator is losing hope and will eventually be left dancing alone in the dark.
Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers
Ain’t No Sunshine is a song by Bill Withers, released in 1971. The song was written by Withers and produced by Booker T. Jones. The song’s lyrics describe the feeling of loneliness and despair that comes with the end of a relationship. Eclipse is a song by British rock band Muse, released as the lead single from their third studio album, Absolution. The song’s lyrics are about the fear of losing someone you love. The two songs share a common theme of loss and loneliness. However, while Ain’t No Sunshine is about the end of a relationship, Eclipse is about the fear of losing someone you love. As a result, the two songs offer different perspectives on the same topic.
Darkness, Darkness – The Youngbloods
The song Darkness, Darkness by The Youngbloods is a song about an eclipse. The lyrics describe the darkness that falls during an eclipse, and the sense of wonder that comes with experiencing this natural phenomenon. The song also touches on the mystical aspects of an eclipse, with the lyrics referencing the “path of the moon” and the “shadow of the sun.” Overall, Darkness, Darkness is a curious and ethereal song that captures the feeling of awe and wonder that comes with witnessing an eclipse.
You’re So Vain – Carly Simon
Carly Simon’s song “You’re So Vain” is inspired by an eclipse that she witnessed in 1972. The song is addressed to a former lover who is so wrapped up in his own ego that he fails to see the beauty of the natural phenomenon unfolding before him. In the end, Simon turns her lover’s vanity against him, suggesting that he is not nearly as important as he thinks he is. Though it is ostensibly about a failed relationship, “You’re So Vain” also speaks to the human capacity for self-absorption and our tendency to miss the wonder of the world around us.
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me – Elton John
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was first released as a single in 1974, and later included on the album Caribou. The song is about an eclipse, and its lyrics describe the feeling of awe and wonder that comes with seeing the sun disappear behind the moon. The song has been covered by many artists, including George Michael, who released a version of it in 1991. Michael’s version reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, making it the only eclipse-related song to do so. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me is a timeless song that captures the feeling of wonder that comes with witnessing one of nature’s most spectacular events.
Eclipse – Pink Floyd
Eclipse is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It is included on their album, The Dark Side of the Moon, and was released as a single in 1973. Eclipse was written by Roger Waters and is one of the band’s most popular songs. The lyrics are about the moon passing between the sun and the earth, causing an eclipse. The song begins with the sound of a heartbeat, which transitions into a pulsing bassline and synthesizer effects. This builds to a climax as the sun reappears and the moon passes away. Eclipse is a powerful and moving song that captures the feeling of wonder and awe that comes with witnessing this natural phenomenon.
Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Bad Moon Rising is a song written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song was released on the band’s 1968 album, Green River. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969. The song is about an eclipse, which was a rare event at the time. The lyrics describe the conditions leading up to an eclipse, with the moon turning red and the sun being blotted out. The song also features a passages about animals acting strangely before an eclipse. The song’s unusual subject matter helped it to stand out from other songs of the time, and it has since become one of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s most iconic hits.
No Sunlight – Death Cab for Cutie
No Sunlight is a song by Death Cab for Cutie, which was released in 2008. The song is about the total eclipse of the sun, which occurs when the moon moves between the sun and the earth, blocking out all sunlight. The song describes the experience of watching the eclipse, as well as the sense of awe and wonder that it can inspire. Death Cab for Cutie is an American indie rock band from Bellingham, Washington.
Solar Eclipses – Dr. Awkward
Dr. Awkward’s Solar Eclipses is a song about the astronomical phenomenon of the same name. In the song, Dr. Awkward describes the experience of seeing a solar eclipse, from the initial darkness to the moment when the sun reappears. He also highlights the importance of safety during an eclipse, urging listeners to wear protective eyewear to avoid damaging their eyesight.
Total Eclipse – Klaus Nomi
“Total Eclipse” by Klaus Nomi is one such song. Nomi was a German singer and performance artist who was known for his unusual stage persona and baroque aesthetic. “Total Eclipse” was released as a single in 1981, and it quickly became one of Nomi’s most popular songs. The song is a dramatic ballad with operatic vocals, and it tells the story of a man who is transfixed by the beauty of an eclipse. Though Nomi’s career was relatively short-lived, “Total Eclipse” remains one of his best-known songs, and it continues to captivate listeners with its otherworldly atmosphere.
Total Eclipse – Marc Almond
“Total Eclipse” is a song by Marc Almond. The song is about two lovers who are caught up in a passionate embrace during a total eclipse. As the eclipse progresses, the sun and moon swap places in the sky, and the lovers are plunged into darkness. However, they continue to cling to each other, oblivious to the world around them. Eventually, the eclipse comes to an end and the lovers are bathed in light once again. The song culminates with the lovers’ shared declaration of love for each other. “Total Eclipse” is a beautiful and poetic ode to the power of love. It is also a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love can still shine through.
Kiss the Eclipse – My Bloody Valentine
“Kiss the Eclipse” is a song by the English rock band My Bloody Valentine. It was released as the lead single from their third studio album, Loveless (1991), on 19 August 1991 by Creation Records. The song was written and produced by the band’s vocalist and guitarist Kevin Shields. “Kiss the Eclipse” is an ethereal pop and shoegazing song that features distorted guitars and heavily reverbed vocals. The lyrics, which were inspired by a solar eclipse, deal with themes of love and loss. The song received positive reviews from music critics, many of whom praised its atmospheric sound and Shields’ production work. In 2012, NME ranked it number 362 in their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.
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