It only takes one note to identify the invincible voice of Bonnie Tyler, who’s precise equation of grit and grace has spanned more than five decades, leading many to reference her as “the first lady of pop/rock.”

Such a distinction dates all the way back to landing on the global map with “It’s A Heartache,” blowing the entire world away with “Total Eclipse Of The Heart,” helping fuel the “Footloose” phenomenon via “Holding Out for A Hero,” putting her pipes on wrestling champ Hulk Hogan’s theme “Ravishing,” or being the first to cut both “The Best” (Tina Turner’s comeback) and “Save Up All Your Tears” (a future Cher favorite).

Even with all those iconic anthems, “The Best Is Yet To Come” for the Welsh songstress, as implied by the title of her totally intentional, awesomely ‘80s-skewing new album, which is thus far generating reactions in America comparable to very decade of chart dominance.

Chicago Concert Reviews was honored to speak with the international star from her home in Portugal, who couldn’t have been kinder when it came to explaining this empowering set of rockers and power ballads, plus the classics that helped hatch upwards of 100 million record sales and would’ve surely swept the Grammys had it not been for Michael Jackson.

What does the title, “The Best Is Yet To Come,” mean to you?

Bonnie Tyler: I had such a ball recording. “The Best Is Yet To Come” and “we’ve got the bad days on the run!” It’s a very “up” title for what’s happening in the world now. I’ve got 12 songs on the album. Two of them are all-time classic songs that we’ve done a completely new approach to, 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love” and Donovan’s “Catch The Wind.” I think my audience will love them as much as I do.

Which are a few of your favorite originals?

Tyler: Desmond Child wrote a song especially for me, “Stronger Than A Man,” that’s fantastic. I love “When The Lights Go Down.” I’m sure that could be big in America. It’s got such a great chorus. Also, “Stuck To My Guns” and “Call Me Thunder.” When I first sat down in the studio and [producer] David [Mackay] gave me the lyrics to “Call Me Thunder,” I said “I love this song, but I can’t do this song. It’s so raunchy sounding. You know, I’m 69. Maybe it wouldn’t sound right with me doing it.” He said “of course it will” and I recorded it anyway. In fact, I think it’s fantastic.

You’ve recorded a multitude of musical styles since you started, but what type of album did you set out to make this time?

Tyler: Oh, definitely more rock. Like most rock music fans, I absolutely love Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart. When I heard the demos, especially the ones written by Steve Womack, who always writes what I love, we have a magic that I hear in my favorite Bruce Springsteen or Rod Stewart songs. When we got into the studio, everyone involved captured the timeless feel of it.

Tell us a bit about the throwback album cover.

Tyler: It’s a picture that was painted two years ago, but the illustration of it turned out fabulous. I’m really happy with it and its very ‘80s. A lot of people are complimenting me on the album cover, when actually it’s down to the illustrator [laughs].

Why do you think the ‘80s have come back in such full force as of late?

Tyler: I don’t think they ever bloody went away did they [laughs]? People love the ‘80s. It was a great, fun time with a lot of rock music around then and it was also a very good time for me. But you know, I’m looking forward to the future now and I’m getting such a good response about this album. Everybody’s like “wow Bonnie, this album is very uplifting.”

What additional gravity do the songs hold in light of the prior year we’ve all had?

Tyler: The funny thing is the album was done before the hardships that we all had to endure last year. The last show I did was at the O2 in London in March [of 2020]. I was the only lead girl singer in an incredible line-up of Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Sir Tom Jones, Mick Hucknall [Simply Red], Zucchero, Paul Young, Gary Brooker [Procol Harum], Rick Wakeman [Yes], Cat Stevens [and many more]. We raised money for the cancer research for the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

But then this happened, so I went straight back to where I am now, Portugal. I’ve been here since the 15th of March. The weather is wonderful in Portugal, but I know it’s been very hard for a lot of people and I know how well off I am, darling. I’m very blessed to be in such a place, but it has been so difficult for my band. They can’t wait to get back out on the road and [we’re] determined that “The Best Is Yet To Come.” We look forward to getting back on stage and doing the live work, which I love doing. I’m a complete live artist and I always have been, even when I was working six nights a week in a residency before I had my very first record. I was working six nights a week, every week, for seven years before I got discovered. When I got the break with “Lost In France,” and then “It’s A Heartache” broke America, I haven’t looked back since. It’s been amazing.

Once it’s possible, what are the chances you’d perform in America?

Tyler: Well, I would love to! I really would love to! I am going to South America. I’ve got quite a lot of dates booked for Brazil, which should’ve happened actually last year, but they postponed them now to this year, so hopefully that will still happen. I’ve had a great response in America. So many people are requesting interviews, which hasn’t happened really since the ‘80s for me with all the great response I was having from the States. Hopefully it will get airplay and hopefully I’ll be able to get over there on tour. The last time I did a show in New York was at B.B. King’s and we were sold out every time we’ve been there. I know it’s only a small place, but it’s such a great atmosphere and that was awesome. I’d love to come back.

Did you ever sing in Chicago before?

Tyler: Yeah, I remember going to The Limelight. It was during the “It’s A Heartache” days. It was great. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had a lovely response. I can’t remember seeing any reviews or anything, but I toured there in the ‘70s.

Tell us everything worth repeating about the smash that came in the following decade, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart.”

Tyler: It’s my niche card, isn’t it? I was just signed to CBS Records and I was on my way in to CBS to speak to the head of A&R [artists and repertoire] at the time. I was listening to the radio in the taxi and Meat Loaf came on. “Oh my God, I love this! I love the sound, I love the lyrics and everything!” So when I got into CBS, he said to me “okay Bonnie, what kind of direction are you thinking of going? Who would you like to work with?” I said, “I would love to work with whoever writes for Meat Loaf. I just heard him on the radio now. The production the incredible and the songwriting is amazing.” He said, “Bonnie are you crazy? That’s Jim Steinman!” “So what, ask him. You don’t get if you don’t ask.” He said “oh Bonnie, he’s never gonna do it.” I said, “why? Ask him. What can he say, ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ you know?” He thought I was mad, but he did ask him and I had a chat with Jim. He said “can you come over to America?” I went to New York, met him and we got along very famously.

Three weeks later, he finished writing a song that he had started writing years before, which he was gonna give to Meat Loaf. Then I went over and I recorded it with him. The album [“Faster Than The Speed of Night”] went to number one. The song went to number one. I mean, the first time I heard the song it made me cry, it was so beautiful. Jim never gave you a demo. You’ve got to learn it [as you’re going], so Rory Dodd [frequent Steinman collaborator and supporting vocalist] sang it all the way through cause he reads music, I don’t, and then Jim was playing it at the piano. My manager at the time and myself just looked at each other like “this song is amazing. He’s offering it to me?” If I hadn’t heard Meat Loaf on the radio that day, it might never have happened…The video was nominated for a Grammy. I lost out to Michael Jackson, but that’s okay, I was in good company.

How do you feel about “Holding Out For A Hero”?

Tyler: We recorded that song in Los Angeles. [“Footloose” screenplay and song co-writer] Dean Pitchford recorded it with Jim Steinman. We did the video in the Grand Canyon and it was a big success again. I cringe when I look back on the video mind you. It was not terrible, but I don’t like looking at myself in it. It’s a great song and I love singing it. As soon as I can get back out there, I never miss out singing those songs. I always put them in because people love to hear them and I never get tired of singing them either. They will fit in really well with this new album.

Out of the many others artists who’ve remade your songs, who do you feel did the best job?

Tyler: I think Rod did a pretty good version of “It’s A Heartache.” I did a duet with him [“Battle Of The Sexes”] on my last album [2019’s “Between The Earth And The Stars”]…Tina Turner did a fabulous version of “The Best,” but I think the song was made much better when they added a new middle eight. It did the song much more than the version I did myself. I’ve always been a huge Tina Turner fan anyway. It’s such a compliment that she did that song. It was huge for her all over the world. I mean, I wish it would have been that successful for me, but it wasn’t meant to be.

How do you feel about being referred to as the “first lady of pop/rock”?

Tyler: Haha. I don’t feel it, you know what I mean? They normally call me “the female Rod Stewart.” I still like that [laughs].

What do you hope listeners will take away from where you are now?

Tyler: Joy and happy listening. That’s what I hope they take from it because they’ve had a sh** year. If it would take them away from the doom and gloom of what’s gone on, forget about all their troubles and just enjoy it. I hope it makes them smile.

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For additional information on Bonnie Tyler, visit BonnieTyler.com.