I WAS BORN A FIGHTER
A CONVERSATION WITH BONNIE TYLER
Bonnie Tyler’s debut album, The World Starts Tonight, was released in the U.K in 1977 and with the help of a couple of hit singles from the album, she made some waves. But it was her next album that broke her worldwide with the mammoth hit single “It’s A Heartache”. The album was co-produced by David MacKay. Tyler was a household name, with her beautiful, distinctive voice and fantastic stage presence. MacKay produced her next album, the classic Diamond Cut, and would return to working with Tyler in 2019 with her successful album, Between The Earth And The Stars. He also produced her 2021 album, The Best Is Yet To Come and co-produced her current powerful and brilliant hit single, “Yes I Can”. Recently, I had the chance to speak with Bonnie Tyler about her new single and her future plans.
“It was written by two people from Nashville, Bill DiLuigi and Hannah McNeil, and I recorded it several months ago, and we’ve been waiting to release it, digitally, for the fans, Ms. Tyler said about her new song “Yes I Can”. “They love to have new material. I know, these days, records don’t really sell, but it’s all about keeping my live shows fresh, you know?”
“I still have to get that feeling when I hear that song. I don’t go by changes in fashion or music. It has to hit me, and “Yes I Can”, I was sent some demos, and this was one of them. It has a great message. The songwriters worked with a cancer doctor, they spent a lot of time with this surgeon, and they wrote this song with him in mind, because he helped so many people.” Then he was diagnosed with cancer himself.
And Ms. Tyler continues to record new material, even though “Yes I Can” was released on January 1, 2025. “I just recorded two new songs. Three days ago, I was in the studio, and they will be released. Every three months I am going to release a new song. Actually, we have another four in the can that are ready, brand-new songs.”
Although Ms. Tyler has been working with David MacKay since her early days, there is a new producer helping out with her new music. “Patrick Schmiderer, is a new guy on board. He has brought some young blood into it. He is a great up and coming new producer and he has done a fabulous job on the track.”
For the last two studio albums, Ms. Tyler has been working with David MacKay, who produced her second and third albums. But he is helping her transition to a new producer. “He was my producer for “It’s A Heartache” and “Lost In France”. Then we hadn’t seen each other for 30 odd years, and then we got back together. He is older than me, he is 80, but still full of life and so much passion for music. But he has introduced me to Patrick, whom he really admires, and he is saying or preparing me for when he is not around anymore and making sure I am all right.”
Although she didn’t write the song, “Yes I Can” is very close and personal to Ms. Tyler. “The song is basically about finding your inner strength and believing in yourself. You know, go out and conquer the world sort of thing. It is a bit of an anthem song, if you are looking for a boost, it is the song to listen to. It is an anthem.”
The video is quite emotional and matches the power of the song beautifully. “I did that locally, here in Wales in Cardiff. Luke Wade did the video. I am quite happy with it. I am not a lover of making videos, but he made this easy. He had some great ideas.”
“The thing is, I am from a big Welsh family. We had nothing, really, and I always had big dreams about being in a band singing. I had no expectations to be in the business this long. This little girl from a big family in Wales. My mother and father were so proud with all I have done, and my brothers and sisters live close by. I still love Wales, which is why I still live here. I do have a place in Portugal, but Brexit has been a problem with spending time in Europe.”
“I’m 73, but I still ring my voice coach, Jim Windsor. I ring him the day before I do any shows and the day of the shows. We do 15 or 20 minutes of vocal exercises over the phone and no matter where I am in the world, he is wonderful. He has done my voice a world of good. I still have the power. But he is so good, he has taken some of the huskiness away, I used to be much more husky than I am now. He is doing too good of a job I think,” Ms. Tyler laughed.
At this point, Ms. Tyler is beginning another year of shows. “I don’t really prepare for tours, more than phoning my voice coach. I don’t go to a gym or anything like that. I spend so much time walking through airports that I don’t need to go to the gym,” she laughs. “I walk miles in airports. I don’t have my own private plane like people do. The thing is, I love it. I can’t wait to do “Yes I Can” live, in Poland. We will be there soon.
“I was offered this really big TV show in Germany, it is massive. I said ‘no’ to going on the show. And then I thought, if they let me premiere my new song there, as well as the medley of the old hits. If not, then I am not interested. And they jumped at the opportunity, and it was very successful.”
As with a number of artists, there continue to be issues playing North America, but Ms. Tyler would love to return to North America. “I would love to come, and if I had the right deal, I would be there like a shot. Like a rat in the drainpipe, or a bat out of hell.”
But that does not keep Ms. Tyler from touring. Still continues to sell out stadiums throughout Europe and the U.K. and the recently announced tour is no exception. She is scheduled to play Poland, Austria, Germany, and England, and with the release of at least three more songs this year, she shows no sign of slowing down. “I’m busy,” Tyler laughed.
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Photo Credits: Katie Scott
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