As most may already know, both Total Eclipse of the Heart and Making Love (Out of Nothing At All) were written by Jim Steinman for Meat Loaf to record, but Meat Loaf's record company didn't want to pay Steinman, etc, etc, so the songs went to Bonnie Tyler and Air Supply, respectively.

How did they latch on to Bonnie Tyler, is the question I have. Just a few years before, Kim Carnes scored a massive #1 hit with Bette Davis Eyes in 1981, and Carnes had that deep, throaty voice that Tyler has. Bonnie Tyler only had one big hit prior to the eighties - It's A Heartache - so I would have thought Carnes would have come to mind a lot sooner than Tyler's name. Carnes was fresh, and it would have been a great follow-up for her.

How did Tyler get suggested for the project?

P.S. (courtest of Wikipedia):
For a period in 1983, the two songs written and produced by Steinman held the top two positions on the Billboard singles chart, with "Total Eclipse of the Heart" at #1, and "Making Love out of Nothing at All", performed by Air Supply, at #2.

Carnes didn't have the range, the power or the chops as a vocalist to do justice to a song intended for Meatloaf. Tyler did.

I always assumed Tyler and Steinman hooked up with each other. They colaberated(sp?) on the next Tyler album also. He wrote, or co-wrote "Holding Out For A Hero"

Did you miss this part from Wiki...

Tyler released four albums for RCA from 1977 to 1981. Over time she became dissatisfied with Scott and Wolfe's management, as they were trying to lean her closer to the country music market. When her contract with RCA expired, she signed with David Aspden Management and sought help from songwriter Jim Steinman to give her music a rock style. She signed with Columbia Records in 1982.

I'd say the easy answer was that the guy co-producing her record was also the guy who wrote the song, might have something to do with it.

Another interesting things to note is that the whole record is either covers, or uses outside writers, like Bryan Adams. She covers "Straight From The Heart" here , too, which Adams had just recorded for his own album Cut's Like A Knife early the same year. Since he hadn't quite broken through to be a major artist yet, he was still doing lot's of writing gigs for other artists, too, which explains it's appearance on both albums. Somebody recognized the song had hit potential, and wanted to make sure it had a better chance of becoming one. Even though they both likely recorded the song at the same time, it ended up being his first big hit.

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It always amazes me how Meatloaf managed to strain his relationship with Steinman, and how many hits he lost in the process.

Bonnie OWNS the song, I'm glad Steinman didn't give it to Kim Carnes or Meat Loaf.

obligatory:

so that's why I always merge the two songs in my head. I've never understood the meaning of the line: "making love out of nothing at all'

This song is so ridiculously awful, just thinking about it makes me want to laugh...especially with that video.

As awful as it is, you have to admit that it's gotten stuck in your head at least once.

Yes that's true. Always makes me laugh though, and sometimes I end up making up new lyrics.

WRONG. These guys own the song:

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the 'Making Love (Out of Nothing At All) Literal Video version is equally funny. (as is 'Love is a Battlefield')

Yeah it really is something. I can't think of any other artist who I think of when I hear songs they don't (or didn't as is now the case with It's All Coming Back To Me Now) even sing.
Does anyone know if he has ever performed the song at a concert or something?

Call me crazy, but I'd love to hear a Meat Loaf version of those songs. They're pretty generic as is, but I think they could be great with a ML spin.

Agreed. I recently heard "Bette Davis Eyes" on the radio and the vocals are shitty.

the only place to hear a remastered version of the full length song is on an album called "Meat Loaf & Friends", FYI.

Over-surprised guy!

Yeah?