Synopses & Reviews
Once upon a time I was falling apart. Now I'm always falling in love.
Pick up the microphone.
When Rob Sheffield moved to New York City in the summer of 2001, he was a young widower trying to start a new life in a new town. Behind, in the past, was his life as a happily married rock critic, with a wife he adored, and a massive collection of mix tapes that captured their life together. And then, in a flash, all he had left were the tapes.
Beyoncé, Bowie, Bon Jovi, Benatar...
One night, some friends dragged him to a karaoke bar in the West Village. A night out was a rare occasion for Rob back then.
Turn around
Somehow, that night in a karaoke bar turned into many nights, in many karaoke bars. Karaoke became a way out, a way to escape the past, a way to be someone else if only for the span of a three-minute song. Discovering the sublime ridiculousness of karaoke, despite the fact that he couldn't carry a tune, he began to find his voice.
Turn around
And then the unexpected happened. A voice on the radio got Rob's attention. The voice came attached to a woman who was unlike anyone he'd ever met before. A woman who could name every constellation in the sky, and every Depeche Mode B side. A woman who could belt out a mean Bonnie Tyler.
Bright Eyes
Turn Around Bright Eyes is an emotional journey of hilarity and heartbreak with a karaoke soundtrack. It's a story about finding the courage to move on, clearing your throat, and letting it rip. It's a story about navigating your way through adult romance. And it's a story about how songs get tangled up in our deepest emotions, evoking memories of the past while inspiring hope for the future.
Review
"Rob Sheffield understands music's power to not only individuate ourselves, but to connect people to one another. His prose keeps such kind, sharp company. In Turn Around Bright Eyes he writes about what, and who, he loves without sentimentality. The world is a better place with Rob Sheffield." Julie Klausner, comedian, host of the comedy podcast How Was Your Week and author of I Don't Care About Your Band
Review
"Turn Around Bright Eyes is a touching homage to '99 Luftballoons' and other important chunks of our cultural heritage."
Gary Shteyngart, bestselling author of Super Sad True Love Story and Absurdistan
Review
"Why in God's name would anyone immerse themselves in the world of karaoke? Well, here's your answer — and it's a surprising trip out of some real darkness, set to a soundtrack of cheesy ballads, yelping rockers, and mangled standards. Turn Around Bright Eyes is an absolute treat." Patton Oswalt, comedian, actor, and New York Times bestselling author of Zombie Spaceship Wasteland
Review
"Romantic and addictive, Turn Around Bright Eyes is the most passionate and energetic performance. It could just be the funniest book ever written about music." John Taylor, bassist of Duran Duran and New York Times bestselling author of In the Pleasure Groove
About the Author
Rob Sheffield is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, where he writes about music, TV, and popular culture. He is the author of the national bestsellers Love Is a Mix Tape and Talking to Girls About Duran Duran. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife.