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.
Lean On Me
Bonnie Tyler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me
When you're not strong
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
You
Swallow your pride
If I have faith
You need to borrow
For no one can heed
Those of your needs
That you won't let show
Ya just call on me brother
If you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Ya just call on me brother
If you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Ya just call on me brother
If you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on
If there is a load
You have to bare
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
Call me
If you need a friend
Bonnie Tyler's song Lean on Me carries a powerful message - that in life, we will all face pain and sorrow, but it's important to remember that we don't have to go through it alone. The lyrics encourage listeners to lean on each other for support, to call on someone when we need a hand, and to be there for others when they need us. The song emphasizes the idea that true strength lies in our ability to rely on and be there for one another.
The opening verse reminds us that experiencing pain and sorrow is something universal - it's a part of life that we all go through. It's important to acknowledge this, and to realize that there is always hope for a better tomorrow. From there, the chorus comes in, urging listeners to lean on the singer during their times of struggle. The next verse emphasizes the importance of being vulnerable and open with others, even when it's difficult. It reflects the idea that we must swallow our pride and ask for help when we need it.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes in our lives
At times throughout our existence
We all have pain
Each person has their own struggles to deal with
We all have sorrow
Everyone experiences sadness in their life
But if we are wise
However, if we are intelligent and knowledgeable
We know that there's always tomorrow
We understand that there is always a future ahead of us
Lean on me
Rely on me for support
When you're not strong
When you are feeling weak or vulnerable
And I'll be your friend
I will serve as your companion
I'll help you carry on
I will assist you in continuing on with your life
For it won't be long
Because it will not take very much time
Till I'm gonna need
Before I will require
Somebody to lean on
Another person to depend on for support
You
You yourself
Swallow your pride
Let go of any feelings of superiority or ego
If I have faith
If I trust in you
You need to borrow
If you require assistance
For no one can heed
Because no one can pay attention to
Those of your needs
Your requirements and desires
That you won't let show
That you are not willing to make known
Ya just call on me brother
You need only ask for my help, my sibling
If you need a hand
If you need assistance
We all need somebody to lean on
All individuals require someone to depend on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
I may be experiencing an issue that you can relate to
Lean on me
Rely on me for support
When you're not strong
When you are feeling weak or vulnerable
And I'll be your friend
I will serve as your companion
For it won't be long
Because it will not take very much time
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Before I will require another person to depend on
If there is a load
If there is a burden
You have to bare
That you have to endure
That you can't carry
That you are unable to carry
I'm right up the road
I am located nearby
I'll share your load
I will help you carry your burden
If you just call me
If you simply ask for my assistance
Call me
Get in touch with me
If you need a friend
If you require the support of a companion
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Bill Withers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Straight From The Heart
Yet another excellent Bonnie Tyler song.
Philip Kassabian
on Holding Out for a Hero
A great and fantastic song by Bonnie Tyler.