Faster Than the Speed of Night

Faster Than the Speed of Night
Studio album by Bonnie Tyler
Released	April 1983
Recorded	1982–1983
Genre	Rock, Wagnerian rock, Hard rock
Length	43:14
Label	Columbia
Producer	Jim Steinman, John Jansen
Bonnie Tyler chronology
Goodbye to the Island (1981) Faster Than the Speed of Night (1983) Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire (1986)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

Faster Than the Speed of Night is an album by Bonnie Tyler released in April 1983. Her fifth album, and her most successful, it includes her UK and US #1 hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart".

The album entered the UK album charts at #1, a position it held for one week. It peaked at #4 in the U.S.

Tyler earned herself two Grammy nominations for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for "Faster Than the Speed of Night", and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Total Eclipse of the Heart".

"Goin' Through the Motions" is a Blue Öyster Cult cover, and the original version of the cover "Straight From The Heart" features on the Cuts Like A Knife album by Canadian rock singer/songwriter Bryan Adams.

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Faster Than the Speed of Night" (as well as Air Supply's "Making Love (Out of Nothing At All)") were originally meant for Meat Loaf's follow up album. Since the two were not on speaking terms the tracks were given to Bonnie.

Track listing

1. "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" (John Fogerty) — 4:03
2. "Faster Than the Speed of Night" (Jim Steinman) — 6:35
3. "Getting So Excited" (Alan Gruner) — 3:25
4. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Jim Steinman) — 6:59
5. "It's a Jungle Out There" (Dennis Polen, Paul Pilger, William Moloney) — 4:33
6. "Going Through the Motions" (Ian Hunter, Eric Bloom) — 4:05
7. "Tears" (Duet with Frankie Miller) (Frankie Miller) — 3:47
8. "Take Me Back" (Billy Cross) — 5:25
9. "Straight from the Heart" (Bryan Adams, Eric Kagna) - 3:38

Personnel

• Bonnie Tyler – vocals
• Rick Derringer – guitars
• Martin Briley – guitars (Track 2)
• Hiram Bullock – guitars (Track 5)
• Steve Buslowe – bass
• Will Lee – bass (Track 5)
• Roy Bittan – piano
• Steven Margoshes – keyboards (Tracks 2, 4)
• Larry Fast – synthesizers
• Dave LeBolt – synthesizers (Track 1)
• Paul Shaffer – organ (Track 5)
• Max Weinberg – drums
• Steve Jordan – drums (Track 5)
• Jimmy Maelen – percussion
• Frankie Miller – featured vocals (Track 7)
• Rory Dodd – featured vocals (Track 4), background vocals
• Holly Sherwood – vocal wail, additional background vocals (Track 1)
• Eric Troyer – vocals
• Stephanie Black, Erica Katz, Brian Pew, Edward Skylar, Tristine Sykar, David Varga – children's choir (Track 6)

Production

• Directed & Produced By Jim Steinman
• Recorded & Engineered By Neil Dorfsman & Rod Hui; Additional Recording & Engineering By Frank Filipetti & Scott Litt
• Mixed By Jim Steinman, John Jansen, Neil Dorfsman & Scott Litt
• Mastered By Greg Calbi

Charts

Album

Chart (1983)	Peak position
UK	1
Norway	1
Sweden	3
U.S.	4
France	12
Swiss	19
Germany	20
NL	24

Singles

Year	Single	Peak chart positions
		US Hot 100	US Country	UK	FR	GE	AU	SE	CH	NO
1983	"Total Eclipse of The Heart"	1	1	1	1	16	1	3	3	1
	"Faster than the Speed of Night"	—	—	43	—	—	—	—	—	9
	"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"	—	—	47	40	63	—	—	—	—
	"Take Me Back"	46	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	"Getting So Excited"	—	—	89	—	—	—	—	—	—

Awards

American Music Awards

• Favorite Rock/Pop Female Artist (Nomination)
• Favorite Rock/Pop Single "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Nomination)

Grammy

• Best Pop Vocal Performance Female "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Nomination)
• Best Rock Vocal Performance Female "Faster Than the Speed of Night" (Nomination)

Goldene Europa (Germany)

• Comeback of the year

Variety Club Of Great Britain Award (UK)

• Recording Artist of the Year (1983)

References

Preceded by The Final Cut by Pink Floyd

UK Albums Chart number one album April 16, 1983 – April 22, 1983

Succeeded by Let's Dance by David Bowie