Michael Lee Aday is an American singer and actor. But most of us know him as Meat Loaf. Born in 1947, fans love him for his powerful and wide-ranging voice. Yet, the most important part is that he brings a theatrical aspect to the live shows. And that makes Meat Loaf songs even more powerful and amazing.
Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell trilogy has sold more than 65 million albums worldwide. The trilogy includes Bat Out of Hell, Bat out of Hell II: Back Into Hell, and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster is Loose.
With more than 80 million records sold worldwide, he remains one of the most successful artists of all time. But he reached iconic status mostly in Europe, mainly in the United Kingdom. There, he received the Brit Award for a best-selling album and single in 1994. He also appeared in the movie Spice World.
To this day, Meat Loaf has appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows. Sometimes, he plays a character resembling his stage persona.
The “I’d do anything for love” singer got his start in musical theater. Most of his songs are basically Broadway showstoppers with louder guitars.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the most popular Meat Loaf songs.
I’d Do Anything For Love
We just have to start with the most iconic song by the singer. Many fans even consider it one of the best songs were ever written. The song brings a feeling few others can bring to the stage or live shows.
The song has everything, starting from great music and great singing to a true artist performing it. Michael sings it with all his heart and it shows.
Today, it remains one of the greatest love songs of all time. It is absolutely perfect.
Paradise by the Dashboard Light
The song portrays two teenagers lusting for each other. They finally get in love, and it is a sad reality. But it shows life perfectly for a teenager in just 8 minutes.
The song packs three movements, a half-dozen time shifts, and a flurry of musical styles into eight minutes of action.
The song packs an equal amount of sex, humor, and sweat.
Bat Out of Hell
It is the opening single track of the Bat Out of Hell trilogy. And it perfectly sets the stage for everything that comes after.
The song lasts nearly 10 minutes. Loaded with Wall of Sound production and instrumental assistance by Todd Rundgren, the song is the album’s toughest song.
Some would say it is a song somewhere between Broadway and a biker bar. But it has its own fan following.
Two out of Three Ain’t Bad
For people of the older generation, they remember this song is one of the most requested dance songs at dances in high schools. Many remember dancing to it and expressing their feelings during the song.
If you have heard this song during your childhood or teenage years, you will always love it. There is no denying it.
It remains one of the greatest radio-friendly tracks by Meat Loaf. It is absolutely perfect. It brings so many memories to the older generation.
The ballad on the Bat Out of Hell album made the album one of the biggest sellers of Meat Loaf. The song couldn’t crack the Top 10 charts, remaining at Number 11. Yet, it went gold and stayed on the chart for almost six months.
To this day, it remains one of Meat Loaf’s best vocal performances.
Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are
Jim Steinman wrote this song and absolutely poured his heart into it. The lyrics are just amazing and heart-breaking.
We can only hope most of the lyrics of the song are not from his life. There are parts about his father hitting him. For many fans, this song has one of the best lyrics. And they love it for that.
It is one of the most emotional, beautiful, and touching Meat Loaf songs. Songwriter Jim Steinman has said this is the greatest song he has ever written.
You Took the Words Right Out of my Mouth
It is hard to say who is more theatrical. Some fans would tell you Meat Loaf. Others will tell you, Jim Steinman. And that is what made Bat Out of Hell so popular. It remains one of the most popular albums after all these years.
Combine the singer’s operatic delivery and the writer’s penchant for epic production and song titles and you have an amazing pair. Their chemistry culminated with this song.
For Crying Out Loud
Jim always had an idea for putting long and epic song titles. This one from the Bat Out of Hell song is no different. It is an absolutely epic song.
The orchestrations combined with the stunning vocals and performance of Meat Loaf make it a powerful recording.
For some fans, this song has their favorite lyrics of all time.
Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
Among the many Meat Loaf tracks, there are many that went through changes and different iterations. This one, for example, Steinman recorded it originally on his 1981 solo album which was supposed to be follow up to Bat Out of Hell.
But the pair dusted off the song for the 1993 sequel to Bat out of Hell. They turned down the theatrics a bit for the released version.
Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back
Here is another of the Meat Loaf singles with an epic title. The radio single was released in October 1993 as the second single from the second Bat Out of Hell album.
It did pretty well on the charts, going all the way up to Number 17 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.
I’d Lie for You, And That’s the Truth
How can you not love this title? Fun fact: it wasn’t Steinman who wrote it. Meat Loaf did this for the Welcome to the Neighborhood album, one where Diane Warren wrote most of the songs.
She has written songs for artists like Michael Bolton. It was Meat Loaf’s last big hit, peaking at Number 13 on the charts. The album itself debuted at Number 2.
