Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
I had already planned to begin this new series with Bonnie Tyler before hearing the sad news of her passing. Now, this post carries a meaning I never expected it to have.
Bonnie Tyler passed away on July 8, 2026, at the age of 75. With her unmistakable voice and powerful delivery, she gave us some of the most dramatic and memorable recordings of the 1970s and 1980s. She could turn almost any song into a full-scale event, and “Holding Out For A Hero” remains one of the greatest examples.
Released in 1984 as part of the soundtrack for the motion picture Footloose, “Holding Out For A Hero” was written by Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford and produced by Steinman. The song was later included on Bonnie’s 1986 studio album Secret Dreams And Forbidden Fire.
From its opening blast of drums, racing piano, blaring horns, and urgent backing vocals, the record never slows down. Everything about it is oversized, breathless, and wonderfully theatrical. Then Bonnie enters with that rough, commanding voice, sounding as though she is not merely waiting for a hero. She is demanding that one arrive immediately.
No one could have sung this song halfway. It required a vocalist who could rise above Jim Steinman’s enormous production without becoming lost inside it. Bonnie did more than rise above it. She owned every second.
The song was originally released in the UK in 1984, reaching only number 96. It was reissued the following year and became a major hit, climbing to number two and remaining there for three weeks. It also reached number one in Ireland and number 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The Footloose soundtrack was packed with hit singles, but “Holding Out For A Hero” brought a different kind of energy to the album. It was louder, stranger, and more dramatic than almost anything surrounding it. Even without the movie, the recording creates its own frantic action sequence inside your head.
For this post, I am using the original UK 12-inch single. The A-side features the extended dance remix by John “Jellybean” Benitez. Jellybean stretches the song to more than six minutes while keeping the force and urgency of Jim Steinman’s original production. The remix gives the arrangement more room to breathe, but it never loses its momentum.
The B-side opens with the instrumental version of “Holding Out For A Hero.” Removing Bonnie’s lead vocal puts more attention on the layers buried within the production, including the dramatic piano, pounding percussion, guitars, synthesizers, and backing vocals. It is a great companion to the extended remix and shows just how much is happening underneath Bonnie’s performance.
The final track is “Faster Than The Speed Of Night,” the title song from Bonnie’s hugely successful 1983 album. Also written and produced by Jim Steinman, it makes this UK 12-inch feel more substantial than the usual soundtrack single. All three tracks capture Bonnie during one of the strongest periods of her career.
I previously posted this record in April 2019. For this new 2026 edition, I returned to the vinyl and created an entirely new transfer from the beginning. This is not a recycled or lightly updated version of the previous post. It is a brand-new transfer with meticulous audio restoration while preserving the power, movement, and excitement of the original recording.
This post also begins my new series, Ladies Of The 80s: Soundtrack Edition. Throughout the series, I will be featuring female artists who released singles connected to motion pictures during the 1980s.
It is bittersweet to begin the series this way, but I cannot think of a stronger song or a more deserving artist. Bonnie Tyler gave the decade a voice that could sound wounded, fearless, romantic, and larger than life, sometimes within the same recording.
Thank you, Bonnie, for the music, the drama, and that unforgettable voice.
SIDE A:
Holding Out For A Hero (Special Extended Remix) 6:22
Written By – J. Steinman/D. Pitchford
Written-By – D. Pitchford, J. Steinman
SIDE B:
Holding Out For A Hero (Instrumental) 5:17
Written By – J. Steinman/D. Pitchford
Written-By – D. Pitchford, J. Steinman
Faster Than The Speed Of Night 4:41
Written-By – J. Steinman*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart Performance – Bonnie Tyler: Holding Out For A Hero (1984) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 44 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 19 |
| Canada (Billboard) | 17 |
| Europarade Top 40 | 12 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 8 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 1 |
| Japan (Oricon Singles Chart) | 38 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 33 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 23 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 19 |
| UK Singles Chart (1984 release) | 96 |
| UK Singles Chart (1985 reissue) | 2 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 34 |
| West Germany (Official German Charts) | 19 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: CBS – TA 4251
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Country: UK
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Producer, Directed By – Jim Steinman
- Remix – John “Jellybean” Benitez (tracks: A, B1)
NOTES:
From the original soundtrack of the Paramount motion picture “Footloose”.
Side A – Mix name on front cover is “Extended Remixed Version”.
Side A – Also known as “Dance Version-Jellybean Remix”.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
PLEASE READ
There are two 24-Bit links; if one does not work, try the other
**24-bit FLAC Only Available For SIX Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal.
I appreciate your help.
Paul, thank you so much for uploading this one! I consider the Footloose soundtrack to be one of the most perfect albums of the ’80s. From start to finish, I give every song on it five stars. When Bonnie Tyler died a few days ago, my husband asked me if I was a Bonnie Tyler fan. I said, “No, not particularly.” I honestly don’t have much Bonnie Tyler in my collection — a collection that spans 14,000+ CDs, 2,000+ LPs, and 800+ 45s. I just never really connected with her voice or her material. As I was telling my husband… Read more »
When I think of one of the most unique voices in the 80s, I think of Bonnie Tyler. Just like some of the ladies of the 80s, she held one of the most unique vocals that will make your head turn and your ears perk up. We all held out for a hero and that was you. Rest in power, Ms. Tyler.
RIP Bonnie… such a committed performer, as you said in your covering email. I always thought that “Faster Than The Speed Of Night” would have sat quite naturally in the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack!! Those backing vocals are almost worthy of Richard O’Brien 🙂
Thank you once again.
No way!! Thank you so much for this Paul! What a beautiful way to commemorate the loss of the great Bonnie Tyler but with one of her absolute best 12″ singles! While I totally missed this the first time it was posted, I must admit this is one of your transfers I managed to find out there on the internet and I have listened to it so many times. The first one was great but this new one… magnificent!! Such a treat to hear again like this. I know this track was originally featured on the Footloose soundtrack (and what… Read more »
Thank you so much, JP! I’m really glad you were able to compare the old transfer with this new one. I was happy with the 2019 version at the time, but this 2026 transfer is a major step up for me, so hearing that difference means a lot. And yes, “Holding Out For A Hero” seemed to follow us through the 80s! Footloose will always be the main connection, but Short Circuit 2 and Who’s Harry Crumb? are great examples of how songs could take on a second and even third life through other movies. I completely agree with you… Read more »
Totally forgot to say how excited I am for the Ladies of the 80’s Soundtrack series… I feel like you made it just for me (and everyone else too of course)!
I used to work at Tower Records back in 2000-2001, and during that time the soundtrack to the movie “Bandits” (Bruce Willis movie) had come out, and it had BOTH “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” and “Holding Out For A Hero” on it… and it was one of my greatest pleasures when I would close for the night to give the 10- and 5-minute warnings over the P.A. system and then play those two songs at max volume (and do interpretive dance wherever I was in the store). Bonnie made for some of the best memories I ever had working… Read more »
Jeremy, I absolutely love this story! Working at Tower Records already sounds like a dream job, but closing the store with “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” and “Holding Out For A Hero” blasting over the P.A. while doing interpretive dance takes it to another level! Those are exactly the kinds of memories that become permanently attached to certain songs. Years later, you hear the opening notes, and suddenly you are right back in that place and time again. Bonnie really did make music that demanded a little drama, so I think she would have approved of your closing-night performances! Thank… Read more »
Amazing! I can’t wait to listen to this in DPT-quality! THANK YOU!
Two things come to mind:
Thank you, Axel F80! I hope you enjoy the new transfer. I think it is a big improvement over the 2019 version. I completely agree about Jim Steinman. Even when you did not know his name, you knew his sound. His productions were unmistakable. “This Corrosion” is a perfect example. That record is absolutely massive. And yes, Top Gun and Footloose are hard to beat when it comes to 80s soundtracks. Back then, a soundtrack could be almost as important as the movie itself. Artists were recording songs specifically for films, and many of those songs became huge hits completely… Read more »
Thank you for this beautiful restoration Paul!! One of my favorites. And a real heartache about Bonnie Tyler, thank you for your tributes. Such an amazing vocalist, your description really nailed it. She was able to rise above Jim Steinman’s enormous production like few others. I’ve always loved Jellybean’s extended remix better than the soundtrack version, he really honed in on what made the track so fantastic. It instantly takes me back to the tractor scene in Footloose with Bonnie Tyler’s soaring anthem… Does it get more iconic than that?? And I do recall network tv jumping on the bandwagon,… Read more »
Thank you so much, Retro Hound! I’m really glad you enjoyed the restoration and the tribute. Bonnie truly was one of those rare singers who could stand in the middle of a massive Jim Steinman production and still be the most powerful thing you heard. I agree about Jellybean’s remix too. He understood exactly what made the song work and simply pushed those elements even further. It never loses the drama or excitement of the original. And yes, that tractor scene is permanently tied to the song for me too. It is one of those perfect movie and music combinations… Read more »
Bonnie Tyler is a great example of women who became iconic for their unconventional voice. Her husky voice came from a surgery to remove nodules from her vocal-cords, which is often a career ender for a singer. Instead, it changed her voice—a change that she owned.
It also highlights one of the problems with talent singing shows, such as American Idol. Artists win based on sounding like other successful singers, but often the iconic ones are those who have a unique sound to their voice. Another example of such as female singer is Stevie Nicks.
You make a great point, SynthPapa. So many of the truly memorable singers are the ones you can recognize within a few seconds. Bonnie definitely had that kind of voice. What could have ended her career instead became one of the things that made her unique.
I agree with you about the talent shows, too. Technical perfection is one thing, but having a voice with character is something else entirely. Bonnie, Stevie Nicks, Kim Carnes, Cyndi Lauper, and so many others would never be mistaken for anyone else. That individuality is what makes them unforgettable.
Thank you, Paul. A great tribute to Bonnie Tyler. I’m really curious to see what else is coming up this week in the “Ladies of the 80s” series, given the seemingly endless pool of artists to choose from.
You’re very welcome, Toxicaudio. I thought Bonnie was the perfect way to begin the series, although I certainly never expected it to also become a tribute.
And yes, there are so many women and soundtrack singles to choose from that narrowing it down was the hardest part. I think you’ll enjoy what I have coming up this week. I tried to mix some well-known favorites with a few that do not get nearly enough attention. Stay tuned!
Great write up! This remix is one of those perfect examples of what a 12” version could be… should be! Keeps the essence of the original version and takes it up a notch for the dance floor or living room or sidewalk or wherever you may be moving about! It doesn’t meander or lose steam, it is everything it should be to the point of making you go: This version should be on the album!!!
Looking forward to this series of ladies of the 80’s!!!
Thank you, ING! I completely agree. This is exactly what a great 12” remix should do. It takes everything that already works and gives it more room, more energy, and just enough extra punch without losing the heart of the original.
Jellybean really understood that balance. Nothing feels stretched just for the sake of making it longer. It keeps moving from beginning to end, and honestly, I would not have complained if this had been the album version either.
I’m glad you’re looking forward to the series. I have some fun ones coming up!
outstanding, going to the front of today’s playlist now! thanks
Thank you, Raymond! I love hearing that. Turn it up and enjoy! Bonnie definitely deserves a place at the front of the playlist today.
Hi Paul! Seems you’re launching a “Ladies of the 80s: Soundtrack Edition” theme week here on Burning The Ground! I am very excited for what may be in store for us! This record is a phenomenal start to mark the occasion! “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler is a stunner! It’s an epic track, produced by none other than, Jim Steinman. I have loved Steinman’s work ever since I discovered Meatloaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” way back in 1977. The power of that album stimulated me so much! It was operatic and bombastic, sort of like a rock… Read more »
Hi Jeff! Yes, I thought it would be fun to turn this into a full theme week, and Bonnie was always going to be the opening post. I just never imagined it would also become a tribute. I completely agree about Jim Steinman. His productions were instantly recognizable. Everything sounded huge, dramatic, and completely over the top in the best possible way. “Holding Out For A Hero” really does need to be played loud because there is so much going on in that arrangement. And that Footloose scene is such a perfect use of the song. Once you hear it… Read more »