Track Talk #1- Bat Out of Hell

Julie in the rv mirror · 26 May 2012, 03:22

I'll admit I stole this idea from another forum, but I thought I'd see how something similar would work out here. I did a quick check, and I didn't find anything like what I'm thinking of, so if it's been done before, it's before my time here.

The idea is to go song by song, and discuss each one in some detail- for example, how we interpret the lyrical meaning (as opposed to simply giving a numerical rating or like/dislike), or musical inspiration/ influences.

I thought a logical way to approach this would be by album, so I figured I'd start with Bat I, and the title track.

To kick it off, let's hear some comments from the songwriter:

YouTube Video

The "Jailhouse Rock" inspiration is interesting.

My favorite part of this song has always been the verse:

And I know that I'm damned if I never get out
And maybe I'm damned if I do
But with every other beat I got left in my heart
You know I'd rather be damned with you
Well, If I gotta be damned you know I wanna be damned
Dancing through the night with you
If I gotta be damned you know I wanna be damned
Gotta be damned you know I wanna be damned
Gotta be damned you know I wanna be damned
Dancing through the night
Dancing through the night
Dancing through the night with you

And also:

Then like a sinner before the gates of heaven
I'll come crawling on back to you

It just conjures up such a fantastic image for me.

What other thoughts do people have?

duke knooby · 26 May 2012, 13:44

i love watching and hearing mr steinman on piano... and some of his strories are hilarious :)

(sorry that doesn't add to the thread, but its too warm to think at the moment)

**The Flying Mouse** · 26 May 2012, 14:03

I don't know

I can't see much difference between this thread and the other threads, apart from the fact that you don't give a score on the song (and that's option on the other threads.

Let me lock it till me and the other mods have a chance to have a pow wow about it

**The Flying Mouse** · 26 May 2012, 20:04

Re-opened with pretty much unanimous support from the rest of the staff

Julie in the rv mirror · 26 May 2012, 20:20

Thanks...I was a bit confused.

I just thought I'd see if anybody would like to participate. If it works, great- if not, fine too.

**The Flying Mouse** · 26 May 2012, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

Thanks...I was a bit confused.

I just thought I'd see if anybody would like to participate. If it works, great- if not, fine too.

Just thought at the time that it might result in a fair bit of repertition, but as the rest of the staff thought it was fine, i'm happy to re-open

Mr. Happy · 27 May 2012, 10:22

This was the very first song I ever heard from Meat Loaf (shocker, I know) and what led me to search for more of his music. Then I found Objects, and I was hooked on Meat Loaf forever...so this was the song that started it all for me. Which is why I've always loved it :P The very last part of the song has always been my favourite section, the "Then I'm dying at the bottom of the pit in the blazing sun" bit. It starts off soft and dramatic, and builds up with the bass emulating the still-beating heart, then explodes into Meat screaming out the ending, and it's just plain awesome. And that goes for the whole song, too

"Then like a sinner before the gates of heaven, I'll come crawling on back to you." That has got to be one of my favourite lines ever.

It's interesting to hear that it started from the two chords of Jailhouse Rock. I've seen this video of Steinman before, but I don't remember hearing that little detail. The fact that he took something as simple as that and turned it into one of the greatest rock songs in all of history is pretty incredible. Just another reason why Steinman is one of the greatest composers of all time

Is this meant to be a reboot of White of High's threads, by the way? Because I don't see a huge difference, aside from the lack of a rating >.> Not complaining, because I wasn't around to comment on the earlier songs when that started, but...yeah :P

Evil One · 27 May 2012, 16:33

It's far too hot to type a lengthy epistle so I shall sum up my thoughts thus:

Bat Out Of Hell is a ~~~~ing awesome song. One of the greatest ever written.

Paul Richardson · 29 May 2012, 00:07

So how do you sum up a song as awesome as Bat Out Of Hell ? Its the greatest rock song, and rock performance, of all time. The trouble for Meat and Jim was that after this, there was no where else to go.

I remember Bruce Springsteen saying that Born To Run was his 'shot at the title' trying to write the greatest rock and roll song ever written - and while I love Born To Run - its not in the same league as Bat.

For me, its being 18 in a rock pub where Bat and Ace Of Spades were on rotation, and the video of this huge, intense guy throwing his tuxedo jacket into the rear of the stage - awesome song, awesome times ...

26 May 2012, 13:44	#2
duke knooby Mega Loafer Join Date: 24.06.2005 Location: belfast Posts: 17,889	i love watching and hearing mr steinman on piano... and some of his strories are hilarious :) (sorry that doesn't add to the thread, but its too warm to think at the moment)

26 May 2012, 14:03	#3
The Flying Mouse Armed ba$tard and Jo's other half. Join Date: 06.08.2002 Location: In the middle of nowhere near the end of the line. Posts: 16,104	I don't know I can't see much difference between this thread and the other threads, apart from the fact that you don't give a score on the song (and that's option on the other threads. Let me lock it till me and the other mods have a chance to have a pow wow about it

26 May 2012, 20:04	#4
The Flying Mouse Armed ba$tard and Jo's other half. Join Date: 06.08.2002 Location: In the middle of nowhere near the end of the line. Posts: 16,104	Re-opened with pretty much unanimous support from the rest of the staff

26 May 2012, 20:20	#5
Julie in the rv mirror Spirit in the Night Join Date: 23.07.2008 Location: On the edge of town (in the Darkness...) Posts: 1,559	Thanks...I was a bit confused. I just thought I'd see if anybody would like to participate. If it works, great- if not, fine too.

27 May 2012, 10:22	#7
Mr. Happy Guest Join Date: 13.02.2010 Location: Posts: 736	This was the very first song I ever heard from Meat Loaf (shocker, I know) and what led me to search for more of his music. Then I found Objects, and I was hooked on Meat Loaf forever...so this was the song that started it all for me. Which is why I've always loved it :P The very last part of the song has always been my favourite section, the "Then I'm dying at the bottom of the pit in the blazing sun" bit. It starts off soft and dramatic, and builds up with the bass emulating the still-beating heart, then explodes into Meat screaming out the ending, and it's just plain awesome. And that goes for the whole song, too "Then like a sinner before the gates of heaven, I'll come crawling on back to you." That has got to be one of my favourite lines ever. It's interesting to hear that it started from the two chords of Jailhouse Rock. I've seen this video of Steinman before, but I don't remember hearing that little detail. The fact that he took something as simple as that and turned it into one of the greatest rock songs in all of history is pretty incredible. Just another reason why Steinman is one of the greatest composers of all time Is this meant to be a reboot of White of High's threads, by the way? Because I don't see a huge difference, aside from the lack of a rating >.> Not complaining, because I wasn't around to comment on the earlier songs when that started, but...yeah :P

27 May 2012, 16:33	#8
Evil One Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.01.2007 Posts: 5,192	It's far too hot to type a lengthy epistle so I shall sum up my thoughts thus: Bat Out Of Hell is a ~~~~ing awesome song. One of the greatest ever written.

29 May 2012, 00:07	#9
Paul Richardson Super Loafer Join Date: 16.05.2010 Posts: 535	So how do you sum up a song as awesome as Bat Out Of Hell ? Its the greatest rock song, and rock performance, of all time. The trouble for Meat and Jim was that after this, there was no where else to go. I remember Bruce Springsteen saying that Born To Run was his 'shot at the title' trying to write the greatest rock and roll song ever written - and while I love Born To Run - its not in the same league as Bat. For me, its being 18 in a rock pub where Bat and Ace Of Spades were on rotation, and the video of this huge, intense guy throwing his tuxedo jacket into the rear of the stage - awesome song, awesome times ...