Ningaloo Eclipse: Essential top 10 tunes to groove WA along in 58-second-long planetary phenomenon

58 seconds. That’s the length of today’s one-in-four-hundred-year eclipse which will see Exmouth covered in darkness at 11.27am.

The once-in-a-lifetime event is set to draw 20,000 solar eclipse chasers to WA’s Exmouth, one of the only population centers across the globe where the total solar eclipse can be witnessed.

Across Australia, a partial solar eclipse will be visible to the (protected) eye, from about 10am WST and will be livestreamed by the Perth Observatory via Channel 7 and on thewest.com.au.

Whether you’re marvelling at the phenomenon from the Ningaloo coast or catching the spectacle from elsewhere, we’ve got a unique music selection you won’t find anywhere else to set the mood.

Jack Johnson - Meet The Moonlight

You can meet the moonlight, Any night you really wanna It’s waiting in your own backyard.

We’re starting with a more recent release from the classic crooner. This song makes the world feel like it’s slowing down, which with thousands of people taking time out of their Thursday morning to appreciate a natural phenomenon feels fitting.

Phoebe Bridgers - Moon Song

And if I could give you the moon, I would give you the moon.

Getting more melancholy, the only thing on the nose about this song is the title (and bridge). Let Phoebe Bridgers take you on a journey inward as the greatness of the eclipse make everything else seem small.

Pink Floyd - Eclipse (from The Dark Side Of The Moon 50th Anniversary album)

All that’s to come and everything under the sun is in tune. But the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

It would be a disservice to not include this masterpiece in our playlist. A sensory experience to project you above space and time. Feel the planets through this Pink Floyd essential.

Bill Withers - Aint No Sunshine

Ain’t no sunshine when she’s gone. It’s not warm when she’s away.

She has indeed GONE. The sun has disappeared and let the late Bill Wither’s smooth tones soothe you out in the darkness.

Tom Petty - The Dark of the Sun

Hey, yeah, yeah, In the dark of the sun, we will stand together.

Now we’re picking up the pace. Link hands, protect your eyes, and let’s celebrate this planetary miracle. Light or dark, let this tune show you the power of others.

Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun

Black hole sun, won’t you come, and wash away the rain?

The 90’s vintage is in and we hate to break it, but this is considered classic rock now. But if we had a choice between watching the eclipse and this film clip, the solar rays may be kinder to our retinas.

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

I can’t see clearly when you’re gone. I said, ooh, I’m blinded by the lights.

If you ask anyone on the street they would probably tell you staring straight at an eclipse could make you go blind.

But according to UWA medical school associate professor Hessom Razabi, it’s staring straight at the sun anytime that can damage your vision. Who would have thought?

But while you may only be tempted to gaze at our biggest star during this rare event, please, don’t be like the Weeknd. Instead, get your TikTok groove on to his synth tune instead.

Fred again. x Swedish House Mafia - Turn on the Lights again.. (ft. Future)

We understand it’s only Thursday, but with a set like this usually reserved for the dark of night it’s the perfect hype song to ring in the moment of total eclipse.

a-ha - The Sun Always Shines on T.V.

Believe me, the sun always shines on TV. Hold me close to your heart. Touch me and give all your love to me.

The irony of the quintessentially 80’s tune earned itself a place on our list, and won’t be overshadowed by the band’s biggest hit Take on Me today.

Daylight - Taylor Swift

I’ve been sleeping so long in a 20 year dark night (Now I’m wide awake)

And now I see daylight (Now I’m wide awake) And now I see daylight.

She’s the biggest pop star in the world... and her music slaps all day long, even during eclipses. Let Swift bring you out of the darkness after this one-in-four-hundred-year event.