This Bonnie Tyler song, released in 1977, was written by Ronnie Scott and Steve Wolfe, who were Tyler’s managers.
The song topped the charts in Australia, Canada, and numerous European countries, and reached no. 3 in the USA and no. 4 in the UK. It is listed among the best-selling singles of all time with sales of over six million copies.
There isn’t much trivia about the song itself, other than that it was covered by Juice Newton, Dave & Sugar, Lorrie Morgan, Gene Pitney, Rod Stewart, and Trick Pony.
What I did find interesting, though, is that Bonnie Tyler of Wales, was born Gaynor Hopkins, but when RCA offered her a recording contract in 1975, they recommended a name change. After compiling a list from a newspaper, she settled on Bonnie Tyler. In 1976, the year before this song came out, doctors found many nodules on Ms. Tyler’s throat due to years of singing in nightclubs. After the nodules were removed, her voice was huskier than ever, but … it’s just the right sound.
It’s a Heartache
Bonnie Tyler
It’s a heartache
Nothing but a heartache
Hits you when it’s too late
Hits you when you’re down
It’s a fool’s game
Nothing but a fool’s game
Standing in the cold rain
Feeling like a clown
It’s a heartache
Nothing but a heartache
Love him ’til your arms break
Then he let’s you down
It ain’t right with love to share
When you find he doesn’t care for you
It ain’t wise to need someone
As much as I depended on you
Oh, it’s a heartache
Nothing but a heartache
Hits you when it’s too late
Hits you when you’re down
It’s a fool’s game
Nothing but a fool’s game
Standing in the cold rain
Feeling like a clown
It ain’t right with love to share
When you find he doesn’t care for you
It ain’t wise to need someone
As much as I depended on you
Oh, it’s a heartache
Nothing but a heartache
You love him ’til your arms break
Then he let’s you down
It’s a fool’s game
Standing in the cold rain
Feelin’ like a clown
It’s a heartache
Love him ’til your arms break
Then he let’s you down
It’s a fool’s game
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Ronnie Scott / Victor William Batty
Si tout s’arrête (It’s a Heartache) lyrics © Universal Music – Careers, Lojo Music Ltd
Great choice
Ladies with husky voices work every time (No! not in ‘that’ way!!), it’s because they are able to transmit the heartache as well as the determination to keep on keeping on. (Just like the women who have the strident clear voices in the more folky bluesy end of Country)
A lot of husky sounded guys sound like the self-pitying jerks you get stuck with late night at the bar (I will mention no names, lest I cause a firestorm on your blog)
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🤣🤣 You make me laugh, Sir Roger! Yes, perhaps that is why the husky voice is so successful and appealing. I rather like some male singers who have husky voices. Think Kenny Rogers. Oh, go ahead and name a few. Nobody will mind …
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Kenny Rogers did a great job with ‘Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ it really matched the tone of the song, so he gets a pass.
I will not name others…..’Some things are best left unsaid’. The anti-Trump site must not be riven by arguments over the merits of some songsters.
In conclusion…..Johnny Cash…. Big thumbs up!
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🤣🤣 You do know how to make me laugh!!!
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Glad to be of service M’am. 😀
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Love that song.
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So do I! It’s one of those that I forget about until I hear it, but as soon as I hear it, I start singing along (much to the chagrin of both my girls and the kitties!)
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Jill, one of my wife’s favorites. Tyler’s achy, scratchy voice makes the song more memorable, not unlike that of Rod Stewart’s. Keith
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I agree … her husky voice makes the song!
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One of my favorite songs (of the 10,000) Thanks, Jill
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Heh heh … you’re like me … I have so many favourites that I cannot keep up with them. Music and books are indispensable!
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You are so right.
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I enjoy her distinctive raspy voice, gives weight to the song. Good share ❤
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1977??? I recall it very clearly, and am only probably 30 or so now in my delusional world, so she must have done something tricky with the time continuum–that must be it. Those tricky people–
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Without taking the time to investigate, I’m guessing it was re-released?
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Nah, I think I’m just denying being older than I want to be.
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I hear you! I forget my age until I happen to pass by a mirror and wonder who that ol’ hag is, and what she’s doing in my house!
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Same here. I am genuinely going to tape some babe photos of me as a younger person on the mirror and try to convince me now to look more like that again!
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There’s a thought!
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It’d be great to see something that doesn’t sag or look cranky–
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We used to sing; ‘it’s a hard egg….’
Childish I know 😅
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Heh heh … childish, maybe, but funny, too! Hugs, Jack! ❤
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Seems everything you play brings memories of my life, some good, some bad, some neutral. But for a hormone-active boy of 17, this memory was disastrous. I met a new girl (new to me, that is) at a party one night. Her gorgeous long black hair hung below her waist, longer than mine, and I was immediately attracted. When I introduced myself, she replied with a slow, husky voice that could only be described as a “bedroom voice.” I wasn’t expecting that, and she blew my mind. We talked for about half-an-hour, and things seemed to be going good, I thought. Until another girl approached us, and said “Sorry I’m late,” to her. The girl with the bedroom voice said something like “No worries,” then stood up and gave her friend a long, slow kiss. My heart broke right there. After the kiss ended, she turned to me and thanked me for keeping her entertained.
Bonnie Tyler sang about getting kicked when she was down in a slightly husky voice. The girl in my memory shocked me when I was floating higher than a kite, because I had never met an uncloseted lesbian before, let alone one whose voice was so damn sexy. Oh how I wished I was a woman that night!
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Definitely a strange and sad experience, especially being only 17 at the time. I cannot even imagine how that must have hurt. But, from what you’ve told me, you’ve had a lot of hurts from women throughout your life. Sigh.
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Lots of good times too. Can’t forget the good times.
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Absolutely! I think you have had more sad times than good ones in your life, my friend, but yes, I’m so glad you remember the good times now.
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Meh! Sad times are a dime a dozen, to rekindle a very old phrase. Who needs them. Good times are worth their weight in gold. Like the time I went to the race track in Winnipeg. I had studied the races all night long, and picked a bet I felt couldn’t lose. I had $2, with me, the price of one bet. I picked two horses to win two consecutive races, a Daily Double in betting parlance. My friends all laughed at me, both my horses were very long shots. The first horse won by many lengths, at about 29 to 1. But one horse did me no good. I could only collect winnings if the second horse also won. The horses ran around the track, and at the finish line two horses were so close they needed photos and about 10 minutes to decide on the winner, probably the longest 10 minutes of my life. I was sweating like a sauna. When the stewards finally posted the winner, my horse had won by about an eighth of an inch, less than a nose. I happily cashed in my $2 ticket for $522. and change.
My friends all asked why I didn’t give them the lucky numbers, and I said, “I did, but you all laughed” Then I took them all out to dinner. That was an amazing day, not because of the amount I won, but because I finally proved to myself I knew how to read the past performances. After that (but not the same day) I picked a number of $100 and $200 winners, but that was my best day ever in my horse-betting career. I had earned my horse creds.
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Whoa … $522 from a $2 bet! That’s a memory to last a lifetime! And so nice of you to take your friends out to dinner, even after they laughed at you!
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The little Welsh maid flying the flag for Wales.Well done but I think the Stereophonics are more me,
Cwtch
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I had three songs in mind, but picked this one because I figured you’d like the Welsh singer! Ah well … win some, lose some. I’ll have to check out the Stereophonics … not sure I’ve heard of them.
Cwtch
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Sorry, Jill, not a fan. She and Kim Carnes both grate on my nerves when they sing. Songs are good; just need someone else to sing ‘em!
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Heh heh … that’s what makes it fun, Larry … we all have our own tastes. I agree with you on Kim Carnes, but I do like Bonnie Tyler’s husky voice.
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Yep, to each his own.
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