On Friday, Australian singer-songwriter Angie McMahon unveiled a cover of Jim Steinman’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Released as an Amazon Music exclusive, all proceeds from the single will be donated to charity efforts combating the damage caused by Australia’s wildfires.
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McMahon’s cover is an exciting modernization of the song originally made famous by Bonnie Tylor. With dreamy pads and guitars held down by a tight kick and snare, the arrangement is tasteful and impactful. McMahon delivers a subtle yet beautiful vocal performance, conveying both the campy-nostalgia of Steinman’s writing as well as the emotions of a burning Australia.
“In Australia, now, there is so much. There is burning and sadness and loss, there is compassion and community, there are so many heroes, and there’s so much that needs to be done,” McMahon said. “Among all the sadness, I have a cover to share. ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ is a favorite song of mine, done as an Amazon Music Original, and the proceeds will go to the Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities. This cover is available only on Amazon Music. Every time it is played, our team will be sending the money to the traditional owners of our land, the people who know how to care for the land, the people we should always be listening to.”
The single comes after an exciting year for McMahon. 2019 saw the release of her debut album, Salt (via Dualtone/AWAL), as well as her opening for Hozier on a tour across the United States.
Listen to Angie McMahon’s cover of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” below:
