Born in Skewen, South Wales, Tyler rose to prominence with her first hit single "Lost in France" in 1976. She signed a management deal with British songwriters Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe, who wrote and co-produced Tyler's first four studio albums between 1977 and 1981. "It's a Heartache" became Tyler's first US hit, with worldwide sales in excess of 6 million.
In 1982, Tyler signed with CBS/Columbia and began working with producer-songwriter Jim Steinman. He wrote her biggest career hit, "Total Eclipse of the Heart", and produced its parent album, "Faster Than the Speed of Night" (1983), and the follow-up, "Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire" (1986). Both albums were noted for their bombastic pop-rock production and melodramatic lyrics. Tyler's next album, "Hide Your Heart" (1988), was produced by Desmond Child and included several tracks that later became hits for other artists, including "The Best" for Tina Turner and "Save Up All Your Tears" for Cher.
Tyler leaned further into a commercial pop sound in the 1990s. She signed with Hansa Records and recorded her next album, "Bitterblue" (1991), with an assortment of producers including Giorgio Moroder, Roy Bittan and Dieter Bohlen. Her subsequent albums "Angel Heart" (1992)" and "Silhouette in Red" (1993) were recorded almost exclusively with Bohlen.
Towards the end of the 90s, Tyler moved to East West Records and recorded the albums "Free Spirit" (1995) and "All in One Voice" (1998). She continued to experiment with cross-genre sounds in the 2000s, recording the covers album "Heart Strings" (2003) with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2004, Tyler began recording in Paris with producer Jean Lahcène, beginning with a re-recording of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" which topped the charts in France and Belgium. Tyler promoted her subsequent albums "Simply Believe" (2004) and "Wings" (2005) with a world tour and the release of her first concert film Bonnie on Tour.
Tyler spent the following eight years concentrating on her live work before returning to the studio for "Rocks and Honey" (2013). The album includes her UK Eurovision entry "Believe in Me". In 2018, Tyler reunited with David Mackay, who produced Tyler's first two albums in the 1970s, for her latest releases "Between the Earth and the Stars" (2019) and "The Best Is Yet to Come" (2021).
Tyler has contributed to several film soundtracks. Her most notable recording is "Holding Out for a Hero" which featured in Footloose, and has since become synonymous with action sequences, having later appeared in Shrek 2, Loki, and in numerous movie trailers. In 1984, Tyler sang the track "Here She Comes" for Giorgio Moroder's restoration of Fritz Lange's Metropolis, a recording which led to Tyler's third Grammy nomination.
A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Bonnie Tyler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turned cartwheels cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was hummin' harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray, so
(Ooh) it was later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
(It) turned a whiter shade of pale
She said there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see
As I wander through my playing cards
I could not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leavin' for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might just as well have been closed
(Oh) it was later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
(It) turned a whiter shade of pale
(Oh) it was later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
(It) turned a whiter shade of pale
Turned a whiter shade of pale
The beginning of the song seems to describe a wild night of dancing and drinking, with the singer and their companion doing cartwheels and feeling dizzy. However, the scene takes a surreal turn as the ceiling of the room inexplicably disappears. Then, the focus turns to a specific person, "her," whose face turns "a whiter shade of pale." The second verse adds to the mystery, as the singer discusses playing cards and a group of vestal virgins leaving town. It's unclear what's happening or what the significance of these details are, but "her" paleness suggests that something significant has occurred.
The lyrics of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" have been interpreted in a number of different ways. Some have suggested that it's a reference to drug use, with the paleness being a result of the effects of a mind-altering substance. Others have seen it as a metaphor for death, with the singer experiencing a vision that takes them close to the edge of mortality. Still, others see it as a meditation on memory and nostalgia, with the singer reflecting on a past moment that they can never recapture.
Line by Line Meaning
We skipped the light fandango
We danced joyfully and carelessly
Turned cartwheels cross the floor
We spun around the dance floor, like children at play
I was feeling kind of seasick
I felt nauseous and dizzy, like I was on a boat in rough waters
The crowd called out for more
The audience wanted us to continue performing, cheering and clapping for us
The room was hummin' harder
The noise and excitement in the room increased, overwhelming us
As the ceiling flew away
We felt like we were transported to another world, where anything was possible
When we called out for another drink
We asked for more alcohol to numb our senses and continue our reckless behavior
The waiter brought a tray, so
The waiter brought us more alcohol, enabling us to continue our festivities
(Ooh) it was later
Later that night, when the story being told had taken place
As the miller told his tale
As the miller shared his story with us
That her face at first just ghostly
The woman's face at first had no expression, like a ghost's
(It) turned a whiter shade of pale
Her face turned paler and more lifeless, showing the impact of the story on her
She said there is no reason
She expressed apathy towards life, finding no purpose in it
And the truth is plain to see
The truth is obvious and clear
As I wander through my playing cards
As I contemplate life's uncertainties and randomness
I could not let her be
I could not ignore her distress and inner turmoil
One of sixteen vestal virgins
A reference to ancient Roman priestesses who dedicated themselves to celibacy and purity
Who were leavin' for the coast
They were leaving their post and abandoning their duties
And although my eyes were open
Although I was aware of my surroundings
They might just as well have been closed
I was oblivious to what was happening and failed to act with compassion
(Oh) it was later
Later that same night, when the impact of the story was still being felt
As the miller told his tale
As the miller continued his story, affecting those listening
That her face at first just ghostly
Her expression at first was empty and ghost-like
(It) turned a whiter shade of pale
Her face grew paler and more lifeless, reflecting the haunting impact of the tale
Lyrics © Onward Music Limited
Written by: Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sonecatranquilo4086
This Bonnie Tyler interpretation of this song is just something very special , I am wordless
@orlandobarroso3014
Incredible voice. Amazing and forever!!
@ericbeaulieu4843
Freakin' beautiful and timeless version.Bonnie TyLeR is one of the greatest artists and singers in histoRy.
@jonjeanwes
Agreed on everything you say Eric thanks for listening. Best wishes -------John
@johnmoore2756
eric, listen to her version of 'I put a spell on you'. bet I have played it 1,000 times. absolutely gorgeous.
@user-el9ff7bu4m
You are right man!!!!
@AlexanderStHill
Best voice I’ve ever listened to , male or female , love the imperfection
@user-to8ot6hi4u
ОК'уительно, Боня!!! Не ожидал никак услышать от тебя такое заворожительное исполнение...Супер.!!!
@michelef3491
fantastica interpretazione di a Whiter shade of pal😍 wonderful interpretation of procol Harum's song
@johnmoore2756
listen to her version of 'I put a spell on you', absolutely gorgeous.