Solar eclipse playlist 20 songs to rock out to on your cosmic adventure. (2024)

Byline: MARIA SHERMAN AP Music Writer

Across 20 tracks, hereǮs a comprehensive playlist of total solar eclipse (and total solar eclipse-adjacent) songs to listen to while preparing to take in the wonders of the universe on Monday. Listen to the full playlist on Spotify.

A classic song

ǣTotal Eclipse of the Heartǥ by Bonnie Tyler

There is no more appropriate song than Bonnie TylerǮs karaoke classic, ǣTotal Eclipse of the Heart.ǥ Try not to start a singalong with this one.

A rockinÇ® song

ǣBlinded by the Lightǥ by Bruce Springsteen

Not the synth-y cover by Manfred MannÇ®s Earth Band Ç" Bruce SpringsteenÇ®s spirited Ç£Blinded by the LightÇ¥ is an eclipse song for the ages, or at least for those hoping to put a little boogie in their viewing experience.

A song to dance to

ǣBlinding Lightsǥ by The Weeknd

One of the greatest pop songs of the last decade, The WeekndÇ®s Ç£Blinding LightsÇ¥ is not only an ideal song for speeding down a highway in the darkness Ç" safely, of course Ç" but also a Max Martin-produced earworm that will crawl into your brain and lodge itself there forevermore.

A grounded song, to remind you of the Earth

ǣSolar Eclipseǥ by YoungBoy Never Broke Again

The best YoungBoy Never Broke Again tracks bring the listener into his world: He names loved ones, he dives deep into his pain and he transforms it into affecting raps. ǣSolar Eclipseǥ centers his own mortality and what would happen to his kids if something were to happen to him. A total solar eclipse can be a time for existential thinking: This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many, and so it is important to value that lifetime.

A throwback

ǣBlue Moonǥ by Billie Holiday

What is a space-themed playlist without a ǣBlue Moonǥ? Originally written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934, the song has been covered countless times over the decades, but no other hits with the soul of Billie HolidayǮs 1952 take.

For the introspective listener

ǣMoon at the Windowǥ by Joni Mitchell

In Joni MitchellǮs ǣMoon at the Window,ǥ a lover looks out toward the sky and sees ǣghosts of the future / phantoms of the past,ǥ the folk legend sings atop jazzy instrumentation. ThereǮs a kind of melancholic whimsy here, and lyrical poetry, which makes this song an appropriate listen for a solar eclipse.

For the arty folk

ǣStarmanǥ by David Bowie

If space is the final frontier, David Bowie knew of its powers Ç" and on Tuesday, with a quick listen to Ç£Starman,Ç¥ we can all try a bit of his Ziggy Stardust.

For people very much in touch with the universe

ǣSpace is the Placeǥ by Sun Ra

The beauty of Sun RaǮs ǣSpace is the Placeǥ is that it's taken from a 1970s Afrofuturist film of the same name. Start with the song and watching the eclipse in real time, and end with a screening.

A righteous eclipse song

ǣEclipseǥ by Earl Sweatshirt

Consider the distorted, reversed production of Earl SweatshirtÇ®s short rap track as an interlude for this playlist Ç" a palate cleanser with a message.

ÇÿIt isnÇ®t an eclipse song, but it also isnÇ®t not an eclipse songÇ®

ǣMoonlightǥ by Jay-Z

Ç£Moonlight,Ç¥ an undercelebrated cut from Jay-ZÇ®s 2017 album Ç£4:44,Ç¥ considers frequent exploitation of Black artists in entertainment. ItÇ®s not an eclipse song in a traditional sense but considering his once-in-a-lifetime star power Ç" and that of his collaborators Ç" it feels like a fitting inclusion.

A sexy song

ǣMoonlightǥ by Kali Uchis

Colombian American musician Kali UchisÇ® songs center love, loss and divine femininity Ç" and so does her hit Ç£Moonlight.Ç¥ In this sweet moment of pop astrology, the moon is a source of power.

For the Swiftie

ǣSevenǥ by Taylor Swift

Looking up at the sky as a symbol of ambition, hope, nostalgia or innocence has a long literary history. It also functions as the perfect visual for Taylor SwiftǮs ǣFolkloreǥ cut ǣSeven.ǥ Swifties know whatǮs up.

An idyllic song

ǣMoonshadowǥ by Cat Stevens

What is more fitting for an afternoon eclipse than the soft folk stylings of Cat StevensÇ® Ç£MoonshadowÇ¥? It doubles as a great road trip song for country road driving, too, so for those who are traveling Ç" take note.

A dreamy song

ǣThe Moon and the Skyǥ by Sade

From SadeǮs 2010 comeback album ǣSoldier of Loveǥ comes ǣThe Moon and the Sky,ǥ a soft soul song good enough for Earth and what exists above.

A romantic song

ǣEclipseǥ by JACE Carrillo and Alyko

Venezuelan Canadian pop singer JACE Carrillo teams up with producer Alyko for this summery, romantic slow burn, ǣEclipse.ǥ This is the one you'll want to turn up if youǮre planning on watching the total eclipse with your partner.

A song to get the afternoon party started

ǣLa Noche de Anocheǥ by Bad Bunny and Rosalȡa

The eclipse will hit North America in the afternoon, so a full-on club banger is a little too nighttime for this daytime event. However, some sultry down-tempo reggaeton? ThatǮs on the table, courtesy Bad Bunny and Rosalȡa.

An R&B-pop bop

ǣEclipseǥ by LOONAǮs Kim Lip

Not long after K-pop girl group LOONA debuted, Kim Lip was announced its sixth member and her solo single Ç£EclipseÇ¥ was released Ç" an R&B bubblegum-pop song that confirmed her talents. Seven years on, its pleasant pop is worthy of this playlist.

Danceable

ǣEclipseǥ by GOT 7

K-pop boy group Got7 marry future bass and anthemic rock in this barnburner of a pop song. Give yourself a few hours to learn the choreography to keep yourself occupied while you wait for totality to hit.

An explosive eclipse song for those who feel lonely when the moon covers the sun

ǣEclipseǥ by MAMAMOOǮs Moonbyul

MoonbyulÇ®s Ç£EclipseÇ¥ begins with a fake out: delicate production explodes into hard-hitting trap production and a gothic chorus Ç" loud synths and chugging guitars. Ç£When the moon covers the sun / It feels like IÇ®m alone,Ç¥ the K-pop girl group member sings, but that isolation doesnÇ®t last long.

Must be on every eclipse playlist

ǣEclipseǥ by Pink Floyd

Can an eclipse playlist exist without ending with the massive drums and Hammond organ of Pink FloydǮs ǣEclipseǥ? We think not.