Tonight, the moon slides directly between Earth and the sun, plunging parts of mainland Europe into daytime darkness for the first time in twenty years. For many, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event—France won't see another until 2081, the UK until 2090, and Germany until the next century. Spain, however, gets a second chance next year.
To mark the occasion, the Euronews Culture team has assembled a playlist that moves from sun-drenched nostalgia to brooding introspection, and finally to the triumphant return of light. Here are our picks, in the order you should play them.
Before the shadow falls
Len – 'Steal My Sunshine'
This 1999 Canadian alt-rock one-hit wonder is pure summer. Its sugary chorus is impossible to resist, even if it feels like a relic from a pool party. It's the perfect opener—bright, carefree, and blissfully unaware of the darkness about to arrive.
Bill Withers – 'Ain't No Sunshine'
Written while Withers worked in a toilet seat factory, this soulful classic captures the ache of absence. When the song went gold, his label gifted him a golden toilet seat—a quirky footnote to a timeless track. Covered by everyone from Paul McCartney to Prince, the original remains unmatched.
When the light fades
Bonnie Tyler – 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'
We lost Bonnie Tyler this year, and what better tribute than her 1983 power ballad? Written by the theatrical Jim Steinman, it's a melodramatic anthem that turns the celestial event into a cinematic moment. As you turn around to face the obscured sun, belt out “forever's gonna start tonight” with all the drama it deserves.
Max Richter – 'On the Nature of Daylight'
This neo-classical piece, from Richter's 2004 album The Blue Notebooks, was conceived as a response to the Iraq War. It has since soundtracked countless films, from Shutter Island to The Last of Us. During the eclipse, its poignant strings remind us of the beauty in darkness—and the catharsis it can bring.
Soundgarden – 'Black Hole Sun'
Chris Cornell's signature track, released in 1994, is a grunge anthem about hidden darkness. It's the ideal companion for luxuriating in the shadow, appreciating the contradictory beauty of a sun swallowed by the moon.
Pink Floyd – 'Eclipse'
If you're not following our curated order, just play The Dark Side of the Moon in full. But for those sticking with us, 'Eclipse' is the album's closing track, with lyrics that mirror the moment: “All that is now / And all that is gone / And that's to come / And everything under the sun is in tune / But the sun is eclipsed by the moon.” Perfection.
Into the dark
Leonard Cohen – 'You Want It Darker'
This year's total eclipse passes over the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain, while the rest of Europe sees a partial one—over 90% coverage. For those who want the full experience, Cohen's final studio album offers a chilling refrain: “You want it darker / We kill the flame.” Prepare for shivers.
David Bowie – 'Blackstar'
Released two days before his death, Bowie's title track from his final LP is tailor-made for the celestial event. It's a haunting, jazz-inflected meditation on mortality—and no eclipse playlist would be complete without the Starman.
Return of the light
Bruce Springsteen – 'Dancing in the Dark'
Springsteen wrote this 1984 hit about the pressures of fame and creative block. As he told the BBC, “All I could do was write another song about not wanting to write another song.” It's a fiery anthem that gets you moving—and how often do you get to dance in true darkness?
The Beatles – 'Here Comes the Sun'
As the moon moves away and sunlight returns, George Harrison's timeless classic is the perfect celebration. Written in early 1969 at Eric Clapton's country house, it reflects a moment of respite and hope. Let it wash over you as the world brightens again.
For more on how Europe is preparing for this rare event, check out our coverage on Iceland's preparations and Spain's energy incentives. And if you're watching, remember to protect your eyes—here's how.
