Top 10 Meat Loaf Songs

Feature Photo: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell was far more than an excellent rock record. The album was a work of art that introduced to the world one of the greatest rock and roll vocalists of all time. It also presented rock fans with the songwriting genius of Jim Steinman and the brilliant musicianship and production skills of Todd Rundgren. Many rock fans know Todd Rundgren and his brilliant body of work, but his brilliance on the Meat Loaf material should not be underscored. Todd Rundgren‘s backing vocals are all over the first two Bat Out Of Hell albums and clearly defined the sound landscape that projected Meat Loaf’s powerful rock-and-roll tenor, unlike anyone else.

Bat Out Of Hell should always be considered a legendary album, like Born To Run, Who’s Next, and Dark Side of the Moon. It had a significant cultural impact, just like those classic rock records.

Composing a list of the Top 10 Meat Loaf songs is just an exercise in fun and a tribute to one of the most exciting performers in classic rock history. Nonetheless, it is also a task taken very seriously here. Meat Loaf has released thirteen original albums in his career. The Bat Out of Hell album became a trilogy, with Bat Out of Hell II released in 1993 and Bat Out of Hell III in 2006. It would be easy to fill this list with just material from the three Bat Out Of Hell albums, but somehow that just doesn’t seem fair for multiple reasons. So, if you only know the famous songs, there’s plenty here. But we have also chosen some of the lesser-known Meat Loaf material that we know all true rock and roll fans will recognize as out of this world.

# 10 – Dead Ringer For Love

Opening our Top 10 Meat Loaf Songs list is the lead-off single from Meat Loaf’s 1981 Dead Ringer album. After the grueling live performances of Bat Out Of Hell, it took some time before Meat Loaf returned to the recording studio. Between the Bat Out Of Hell album and Dead Ringer, Jim Steinman released a solo album called Bad For Good that had initially been penned for Meat Loaf. Meat Loaf would eventually record some of the songs from the Bad For Good album on Bat Out Of Hell II. However, the Dead Ringer album is, for many, a hidden gem in Meat Loaf’s catalog.

It was tough to choose a tune from this album, since there were so many standout cuts. Nonetheless, the one that seemed most fun, especially in the song’s video, was the album’s title track, “Dead Ringer For Love.” Not many singers could note-for-note with Cher or Meat Loaf, so the pairing of the two legendary voices culminated in a track for the ages. The song’s Mitch Ryder feels fueled by the high-energy track that hardcore Meat Loaf fans have consistently raved about for years.

# 9 – Song Of Madness

The true hidden gem on this Top 10 Meat Loaf Songs list is one of the heaviest songs Meat Loaf has ever recorded. In 2010, Meat Loaf released one of the best albums of his career, entitled Hang Cool Teddy Bear. Sadly, in 2010, hip-hop and bubblegum boy/girl band pop left no room on the radio for great new rock music. It’s a shame because Hang Cool Teddy Bear was an exciting record that showcased some of the industry’s best songwriters. Steve Vai’s guitar work on the track is the perfect complement to Meat Loaf’s heart-pounding resonance. Vai’s solo is earth-shattering! Don’t miss this one.

# 8 – All Revved Up with No Place to Go

This great Meal Loaf song opened up side two of the original Bat Out Of Hell album. This one was a spectacular, rocking song that would easily have been the best track on almost any other rock and roll album. The saxophone solo that opens the song was played by Edgar Winter with such rock-and-roll spirit and abandon. It’s one of Edgar Winters’s greatest performances on saxophone.

# 7 – Blind As A Bat

Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose

The final installment of the Bat Out Hell trilogy was released in 2096. Bat Out Of Hell III featured a heavier and more intense sonic palette than the previous two Bat Out Of Hell albums. It was the first of the series to feature songwriters other than Jim Steinman. However, Steinman did pen some of the album material. Although this is a Meat Loaf best songs list, we want to take a break here and say that this is our favorite Meat Loaf album outside of the original Bat Out Of Hell release. This stunning record delivered action-packed, emotionally charged songwriting, singing, and instrumental performances.

The album was an exercise in songwriting craft tuned to the character and voice of a legend that deserved the songwriter’s best. The album deserved more spots on this top 10 Meat Loaf songs list. However, there was really only room for one. So we have gone with “Blind As A Bat.” Listen to the fantastic musical transition from verse to chorus. The chord voicings used in the chorus must have sent chills down the spines of songwriters in observance of those magical moments that define what brilliant songwriting is all about. Desmond Child has written so many hits over the years, but “Blind As A Bat” stands as one of his best. He can thank Meat Loaf for seeing it through brilliantly.

# 6 – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad

The wit of Steinman and the vocal delivery of Meat Loaf underscore the beautiful melody of Bat Out Of Hell’s signature ballad, “Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad.” As we edge closer to the top of our Meat Loaf songs list, writing anything original about these upcoming classic songs that haven’t already been written becomes more challenging. The next set of songs is not just Meat Loaf’s best; they are among the best songs ever released in rock and roll history. And by the way, every piano student in 1977 went out and bought the sheet music to this one.

# 5 – Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through

Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (CD)

When Jim Steinman released his Bad For Good album in 1981, the original release included a bonus 7-inch single with the song “Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through.” The 7-inch single also contained the instrumental track “The Storm.” If anyone had discarded the single, they would have missed the best song on the album, which is simply one of Steinman’s greatest compositions.

They knew this was good because Meat Loaf recorded it for the Bat Out of Hell II album. You just can’t let a song like this one get away. If there ever were one song that defined Steinman’s artistic intentions, “Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through,” it would come pretty close.

# 4 – You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)

While we have already mentioned Todd Rundgren, we can’t fail to point out the contributions of Utopia’s members on many of Meat Loaf’s records. Bass guitarist Kasim Sulton, keyboardist Roger Powell, and drummer John Wilcox all heavily contributed to the virtuoso musical performances on the Bat Out Of Hell records. These were musicians known for their work in Utopia and who have graced the vinyl sides of thousands of rock and roll recordings.

Besides the Utopia crew, the Bat Out Of Hell world also utilized the talents of certain Bruce Springsteen E Street Band members. Bruce Springsteen’s piano player Roy Bittan and drummer Max Weinberg. Bittan has been credited with work on three of the Bat Out Of Hell tracks. The mighty Max Weinberg was responsible for the drum tracks along with Roy’s piano on Bat Out Of Hell’s, “Bat Out Of Hell, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, and “You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night),” The track “You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night),” also featured the iconic Edgar Winter on saxophone. This was a record that just screamed talent.

# 3 –I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That)

This one was the follow-up to the massive Bat Out Of Hell album. The first single released from Bat Out of Hell II was a tender love ballad dipped in deep sarcasm and Steinman wit. Meat Loaf’s powerful vocal delivery turned this stunning rock ballad into a huge success. For some who had waited for a ferocious rocker to follow up Bat Out Of Hell, the release of a power ballad was a pretty courageous move that worked out perfectly on the sales charts. It would become Meat Loaf’s first number-one single in the United States.

It would also top the charts in twelve other countries. The album version clocked in at close to 12 minutes, while the single release was cut down to 5 minutes and 25 seconds. Lorraine Crosby’s vocal on the track matched Meat Loaf’s intensity most dramatically. Crosby’s closing line was a chilling reminder to every couple who faced the pain of betrayal.

# 2 – Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Bat Out of Hell: Live with The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Do you remember the first time you ever heard this song? Well, that’s really all that is left to write about this monumental recording. A song written about life’s greatest ritual has become a standard ritual in many ways. It is simply Meat Loaf’s most famous song. People who have never heard of Meat Loaf know this song.

Songs like this do not become immersed in popular culture; they become popular culture. You can’t follow up a song like “Paradise By the Dashboard Light.” It belongs in a category all by itself. Deservedly so, that category closed the moment the song was released. If you have never heard this song, don’t be a huckleberry. Play it now!

# 1 – Bat Out Of Hell

Standing at Number One on our Top 10 Meat Loaf Songs list is the amazing track that started it all. Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” was a sweeping epic rock and roll masterpiece. I remember the faces of all my friends that I played this track for when they heard it for the first time. Everyone was blown away by it. On first listen, the song’s opening thunderous piano rolls and screeching guitars were only a tease for what was to come.

At every point in the song, when you thought the music had reached its pivotal moment, it shifted into a higher gear from an unimaginable place and time. It was a surreal feeling hearing this music in 1977. You can argue it was the period, the culture, or any other reason as to why the song resonated so deeply. Ultimately, it was simply an earthshaking composition elevated by a genius production. But none of that would have mattered without the dramatic, powerful vocal talent and artistry of Meat Loaf. His performance on “Bat Out Of Hell” is easily one of the greatest rock and roll vocal performances in classic rock history.