NEED EVERYONE HELP HELP

[MBrevard]

Hi, Jen! I'm SO glad you're here!!! And what an amazing idea--a terrific way to spread the word, attached to every email sent out!! I absolutely love it, as I do your website!

Listen, I have a problem. Something happened when you shared your idea here. I immediately got a full-blown image of one in my head. I tend to see things, Jen, at a slightly tilted angle (figuratively speaking). That's the way I've been my whole life. I suppose I could try to change it. But you know, after all these years of being this way, I sort of like it.

I'm not a professional photographer like you, so I don't have a photographer's eye. But I have done a LOT of layout, newsletters, typesetting, desktop publishing, some ad work--nothing on a professional basis because of certain circumstances--but still and all, I did this work.

So, instead I have a layout artist's eye. When I say I have a full-blown image, I am not picturing, necessarily, the exact photos that go along with it. Just the idea behind the photos, as I see them in my head, plus the kind of fonts needed--because they give it life, as well as the photos.

My problem here is that because most of this idea is complete, in its way, I am afraid that I will have taken away your artistic freedom here and I would NOT want to do that for anything in this world! As I said, I love your website. I call it Eye Candy because my eyes are always surprised and delighted by what I see when I go there, and I go there often. Not to mention all the great material there.

So, by sharing this idea, I don't want to take anything away from you. Am I making sense? This is a good thing you're proposing. I don't want anything bad to come from it between us.

Therefore, I was thinking, if you like this idea at all, and I'm sure it's not what you are already imagining (and I know you have already begun to build an image of what you want to do in your head by now), would you consider doing two? Your conception and mine? I'll find a way to compensate you, if I can, for your work, and it IS, indeed, work. Maybe if you're coming out to the Saratoga concert as you did last year, we can buy you some wine or dinner or something. :) We can work that out later.

Anyway, can I share my concept with you? I'm going to try to describe it as it's in my head, which probably won't be easy. But I'll do my best. Since I can't speak it to you, you need to "see" it.

The photos I imagine behind the first section are of a couple. They are slightly blurred, so you cannot distinguish their faces, but you can see that it is a man and a woman. I have no particular colors in mind. I would certainly leave that up to a photographer's eye!!

The photos would show this couple in varying emotions. I can't picture anything else in the blurred photo but them. The emotions would fit in with the words on that particular screen. There would be five different screens in this section.

This is the only part onwhich I cannot picture the fonts. The rest I have an image in my head. Perhaps the fonts will be dependent upon the photos chosen. I don't know why it's not there, but it isn't.

First screen, the photo of the couple is seen and then the words come up:
You have the right to remain silent.

Second screen, second photo:
Angels watching over us all.

Third Screen, etc.:
Hearts crashing to the ground.

Fourth screen etc.:
This is the moment we've been waiting for.

Fifth screen etc.:
Just love me like you love nobody else.

Then, the photos are gone. I see a plain colored background--again, the color of the background would have to fit in with the photos we have just seen.

On comes these words, in a soft font--not necesssarily cursive, but just one with round, soft lines--not square, blocky. Okay? The color of the font--well, obviously contrasty, but still fitting in with the colors from the photos.

(I made the word "this" in all caps, in the following line, but that's NOT the way it should be. However, that is the word I am hearing in my head as being emphasized. So, it would have to be just the tiniest bit larger than the other words, OR perhaps, it could be done with color and its color would be slightly different from the others. This would all have to be subtle, you know. It's just something that the eye and mind would register, without really understanding what is going on. Not really subliminal, but you know what I mean.)


And the words are:
Is THIS a song?


Then, I think the words would gently fade and very abruptly, there would be a large photo of Meat, as he looks now-- We need a Big Bold Blocky Square Font for this part, as the words quickly come onscreen:

HEY, WE'RE TALKIN'
MEAT LOAF
HERE!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

(I made the letters all caps, just to give the feeling of blockiness, but I'm not sure that they should be. Maybe...It would depend on how it looks. The emphasis on the last line is on the word, "think" so, once again, that would have to be the slightest bit larger or the color varied subtly to allow the eye to see it. And the text, of course, would be centered, which I can't seem to do here.)

Then, I can't decide whether to keep the photo of Meat up. Perhaps it would be better to have the cover of CHSIB onscreen. Or the blank, colored background again.

And the credits would be here: Font, still blocky, but would be smaller than the previous screen, growing ever smaller, line by line, but still readable.

Couldn't Have Said It Better
performed by Meat Loaf and Patti Russo
words and lyrics by James Michael
Mercury Records, copyright 2003 (don't know how to do the symbol in here)

IN STORES NOW (god willing)
(only kidding on the 'god willing' there. That's just how I feel after the past couple of days.)

Are there any other credits which would be needed? That's all I can think of....

So, we're probably talking 15 to 20 seconds, tops for this. The first part: the photo screens only have to be visable as long as it takes to read the words.

Now, we would probably have to get some permissions in order to do this: Meat--probably James Michael because we are using some actual lines from the song...I don't know who else--how Mercury may or may not fit in. So, this might just be more complicated than it seems.

I would LOVE to use Meat's font on his name, but after the fire which reigned down on different sections of this website yesterday, I'm scared to even put the thought in my head!!!

What thought??

Anyway, Jen, what do you think? I respect your opinion on these things. Is this potentially doable? Too difficult?? Did I give a good enough description for you to picture in your mind what I have in MY mind?

I have all these ideas in my head, but I don't, at this time, have the knowledge and ability to work with the various media needed to put it all together. I haven't had the time or chance to play with multimedia enough.

As I said, I'm sure it's not anything like you are imagining. But I would love to hear what you (and anyone else reading this) have to say about it.

One more quick thing and then I'll end this post. You know, Jen, have you asked anyone what they think CHSIB means? The song--not the title, that is.

I was having a rather heated discussion about it with my family. So, I have since then gone to others and asked what they thought it meant. And I get a different answer every single time.

And to make it even more interesting, everyone seems to try to apply it and their meaning for it, to their own personal life!!

I am beginning to believe that James Michael (as well as Meat's and Patti's interpretation of it) has created a truly universal song. Everyone relates to it in a different way, finds different meanings from the lyrics, and then, takes it home to their own life.

I'm finding that really fascinating!! I was thinking about starting a new topic at this forum, just to see how people would respond to it. Might be in interesting study.

Anyway, enough for now. Better post this--or I won't. It's hard to let go of creative ideas, especially when they are still 'cooking' inside of you. I'm sure you understand what I mean, Jen!

Again,Jen, thanks for being a part of all this and for bringing everyone such a terrific idea to help advertise the single and the upcoming album!!

Hope all of you will continue to respond to her request for quote ideas to use for her email ad.

It's now 1:25 a.m. in California. That means, 9:25 a.m. in the UK. Not much action here so far today. Hope things pick up, for Meat's sake. Please check in, friends, and let us know what you're seeing or finding in your local communities.

Also, we're still looking for radio stations that can be contacted either by phone or via the internet to 'encourage' them to start playing CHSIB.

We gotta keep this 'push' on at least until midnight UK time!! We can do this!! Talk with y'all later.

[original sin]

Ok todays game plan...

1/ Hit the radio stations local & nation with requests

2/ If you can still buy then shop til you drop
:P
3/ If you are driving around wind down the windows in crowded areas and blast out CHCIB

4/ If you are out and about in pubs, restaurants, any where with backing music take a copy with you and ask them to play it.

5/ If you in a music shop and are brave strike up a conversation with other people in the shop. Your enthusiasm for his music will be infectious.

6/ If there are any Bank Holiday events in your area again see if you can get it played

7/ Try to get everyone involved friends family everyone they may not be able to help but they may know someone you don't who can! :o


We have a fair in our town and later me and the kids are gonna go down with our copies of CHSIB and try to get a load of rides to play it simultaniously!!!

Troops on move!! hee hee

Meat if you pass by and can think of anything else let us know this is for YOU. Play back for so many years of pleasure you have given

You know I got gotta a feeling that the album is gonna go through the roof!

[Greavzyboy]

Don't forget TV MUSIC CHANNELS!!!

I am proud to announce that I was responsible for
"Couldn't Have Said It Better"
being shown 5 TIMES in 1 HOUR!!!!!!

These channels where you ring up and requst a video are also great exposure for the single!!

Yours, Greavzyboy

P.S: When's Meat on "Top Of The Pops"?

P.P.S: BOUGHT 10 COPIES OF "CHSIB"!!! LETS GET THE BIG MAN RIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE CHART!!!!

[MBrevard]

Hi, Sin and Greavzyboy!! Nice to hear from both of you. Been kinda quiet here today so far. But I'm sure, whether people are writing in or not, they're busy doing what they can for Meat!

Great suggestions both of you! And congrats, Greavzyboy, on the music videos. I don't think anyone else has suggested the Music Channels before! It's a terrific way to get exposure for Meat's new song!!! Great job!

I'm not sure when Meat is supposed to be on the TOTPs. There was some talk about it being this week, but apparently, that's not what's listed. So, instead, maybe they just did the taping of the show this week and it'll be shown in the future. Keep checking the calendar up in the right hand corner of this forum. R. set it up so that everyone could keep track of Meat's appearances. It's very handy!!!

You just bought 10 copies of CHSIB. Did you have any problems finding it in your area today? It sounds like more and more of the CDs are getting to the stores now, thankfully!

Sin, enjoy the fair with your kids! Sounds like fun!

By the way, did either of you get to see Meat on Richard and Judy last night? I haven't heard anything specific about his appearance and I was wondering if he addressed the CD problem at all. Just curious.

Thanks again, guys. Keep it going!!

[Greavzyboy]

I saw the Richard and Judy interview!

They played a clip from his video and he plugged the single and the album which he guaranteed is released this Monday!

He also mentioned that "Bat Out Of Hell 3" is a definite!! He and Jim are already working on it and he seemed really excited about it!

They also conducted an experiment with plants. Apparantly plants grow much faster when "Bat Out Of Hell" is playing loudly! They tried it on cress seeds and it worked!! Meat was amazed! He said he'd heared about it before but had never actually seen any evidence!!

Back to the single problem. My local HMV (Doncaster) is currently stocking the single and has been since Monday. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones!

By the way, has anything been said about these "Meat and Greets"? I know I speak for everyone when I say that I would LOVE to show my appreciation and gratitude to Meat for all his years of work!

Anyway, not much time left before this week's chart position is revealed! This could be something really big! Lets hope so!!

Yours, Greavzyboy

[MBrevard]

Sounds like it was a fun interview, but then, most of Meat's TV appearances are interesting to watch! I had heard about the plants and BOOH before, but I thought that was just a myth! I would have loved to have seen the evidence, myself!

As for the Meat and Greets: No, Greavzyboy, no word from Meat yet, but then, none was expected this early. He's still working on promotion. I'm sure when he has it all worked out on how to do them, with this many people, he'll let us all know.

Keep watching the MLUKFC forum for news about it. The UK concerts aren't until November, right? So, there's time for you.

Thanks for the R & J report! Enjoyed hearing about it. Keep calling those Music and Radio Channels!! Okay?! :P

[Dave]

I just sent a big notice out to the Meat Loaf Bat Caves about the situation. I have also changed the "buy button" on my site to point to HMV. We NEED people to buy this. I just orders my unGodly amount of singles...lol...it is all worth it!

It is sad that Mercury Records went "screwing around" with this amazing single!

[mariella]

Hi everyone,

It's SO good to know this is going this well. I knew it
Took the afternoon of again, will be calling/mailing radiostations in the UK today. Also getting more people to buy the single online.

Like MB said, it is SO VERY important to have 'new blood' today!

Please, if any of you read all this for the first time, do not waiste any time, run to the store that has the single (check first) and buy as many as you can afford!

I love all this creativity (don't know how to spell that word) here.

Mariella (very happy)

[The Flying Mouse]

Sorry guys,but i've got to say this.
can we PLEASE stop talking about meet & greets.
i know I speak for most here when I say we're doing this to give something back to Meat,who has given us so so much over the years.
Meat has promised meet and greets,and I have no doubt at all that he will fulfill his promise.
If I get a meet and greet it'll be by biggest dream come true,if not that's life.I just feel privilliged to help.
Meat himself first told us about it in his first post,but people continually talking about it cheapens the whole gesture.
Right,let's get back to work.

[original sin]

Its just been on The Box I'm afraid music channels are a bit above me, but the kids are working on that one now :P
wow nothing like Meat Loaf to bring a family together!

[mariella]

You are right, Flying Mouse, this isn't about M & G, not about money either.
It is an honour to help in any way we can!

Mariella

[Greavzyboy]

Sorry Mouse!

I didn't mean to cause any upset about them. Its just that this is the first I have heared about them and I was excited at the fact that I may have a chance to meet the big guy and thank him personally for all his work over the years. I would never intentionally make anything Meat sound "cheap".

I apologise sincerely

Yours, Greavzyboy

[original sin]

Mouse.....I'm working, working, working, infact it would be easier to be in the office
Heck I've loved his music for more years than I care to remember, it has been an intergal part of my life, so now a song or a line can bring back treasured memories. I don't think there's another Voice that can cause so many different emotions.
I'm really happy to see so many people trying to do their bit. Unlike the song I don't want my money back. Happy to help the MAN. If anything else comes out of it aparyt from a hit single or album then thats a bonus.

Does anyone have any new ideas as to tactics? or details of latest chart positions?

Ok now back to the phone......

[MBrevard]

Hi, everyone! This is great! We're getting busy again. Been a rather slow night/morning here.

Flying Mouse: THANK YOU!!!! I am SO glad you 'laid down the law,' so to speak and put the priorities where they deserve to be today!! I was getting really uncomfortable, not wanting Meat, if he happens by this forum, to think that people were doing what they're doing JUST to get in to see him. But I didn't know how to handle it. Thank you SO much!!

From here until Midnight UK time, let's concentrate on the ONLY thing that is important--the reason all of us have been here steadily for the past few days, and that's to help get CHSIB into the UK Top Ten, where it certainly deserves to be!! Yes!!

Sin, no word on the charts. I wish I knew more about all this--when chart information is released, or at least, leaked, which I would imagine happens. Maybe someone will stop by here today who has had some experience with it and will share their knowledge!!

David!! Welcome! Another person I owe a letter to! Sorry. I hope you'll forgive me. That's a great idea to move the "Buy" button at MOTS to the only reliable online site for the single today! And I know a LOT of people subscribe to the BatCaves, so we should be getting some new blood here who will want to help Meat out!

Mariella, good to see you again! How in the world are you managing to get off work?! Better not tell us.

Gotta question for everyone in the UK. Do you think that more people watch the Music Channels or listen to the kind of Radio stations that Meat would be played on?? If you think that TV is the way to go, then that's what we should be concentrating on. But if you feel that radio might be more useful to the cause now, then that's the way to go.

By the way, those of us outside the UK are waiting for anyone to help us with a list of major Radio stations in your country (aside from the BBC, which we all know). I've heard CHSIB played on BBC Radio 2 many, many times now. It's always a thrill! Can't wait to begin to hear Meat on US radio again with the new material!!

But anyway, can you help provide us with stations that we can find on the web? That way, we, too, can begin emailing and requesting the single be played. I'd really appreciate it, for one. I have no idea where to even begin to look to find them.

And once again, if there are new folks just peeking in at all this and want to help, in the UK, your best bet is to go to either your local HMV store or Virgin Megastore, if you have them in your area. Or, if you live outside the UK and can order online, here's that valuable link again to the HMV UK website: http://www.hmv.co.uk Go get 'em!! And keep posting to let us know what y'all are doing!!!

[Anne]

Checked York today, there are plenty of copies in both Virgin and HMV, both displayed in "New Releases".



Anne

[mariella]

Sorry to bother you all again. But I really need phonenumbers and e-mail adresses for UK radio/tv stations. Local ones please!!!

I know you are all very busy, and if you don't have the time to type everything, please could somebody tell me where to find this information!

For everyone who has already bought the single, like all of us at this topic. I would like to see a massive mail/phone campaign towards the radio/tv today! Let's stalk them!

Mariella

And for all of you how are reading this and want to help, please go to www.hmv.co.uk and buy your hearts out.

[jcmoorehead]

I could only get one as my friend was with me and he got one aswel! But HMV Have a few in at Middlesbrough and so does Virgin Megastores

[MBrevard]

Hi, friends! Well, joyous news to share!

If you haven't checked out the General Message area of the forum in a while, you probably don't know that Meat left a message there for all of us!

Go and see it for yourself. I think we all did a fantastic job these past couple of days!! And it seems that Meat does, too! :P

I think you're right, Mariella, it's a great idea to continue to hit the TV and Radio stations around the UK, if you can! It sounds like that's been making a difference, as well as the sale of singles, of course!!

I think, though, that a little of the pressure is off us now, thankfully!

This has been so much fun for me, working with and getting to know all of you. After a couple years of just lurking here, I really feel like I'm part of the 'family' and I can't think of a better family I'd like to be a part of!!

Be talking with all of you again soon, I hope!!

As always, sending love and peace to each of you!!

[JulesB]

Mirrorofthesoul has posted a link to hmv.co.uk in the upper left corner of the page, just click on the picture of the single, and you will go right to the website to order your copies!

Please post any radio/TV websites you know where we can submit requests and I will do my part to bombard them with play requests.

Jules

ROCK ON FIRE BALL!

[JulesB]

Guess I should read all the posts before repeating things. I didn't notice Dave had already posted the info about MOTS. Well at least the word is getting out! I also changed my post to point everyone to hmv.co.uk instead of amazon, I was confused Wed night!

Jules

ROCK ON FIRE BALL!

[original sin]

wow this is great everyone working towards one goal....someone should make a song about it... any ideas who could do that?

Re: radio station numbers I've used yell.com do do a seach which will list radio stations and also give SMS and website details.

Onwards and upwards.........

[JulesB]

Thank you, Sin I will do that!

Jules

ROCK ON FIRE BALL!

[mariella]

Thank you, Original Sin.
I am so stupid sometimes. I've only been on the i-net for a few months, know my way in Meat-land only. Just didn't know where to look.

People, can't say it enough, call/mail these stations in the UK, please!

Mariella

www.hmv.co.uk

[CarylB]

I have a great picture of Meat as Uncle Sam .. Uncle Meat Needs YOU!! if anyone wants a copy to send out .. just email me

caryl@republic-of-loafdom.com

[mellis107]

I've just emailed the following local radio stations up here in South Yorkshire:

hallamfm.co.uk -
I contacted all the DJs here seprately.

virginradio.co.uk (national)

realradiofm.co.uk - this station has regional "branches", so I emailed them all!

bbc.co.uk/england/radiosheffield

Hope someone else can email them as well.

Right, off to see if I can find any more. I'll report back when I do.

BFN

mikey