Bat Out Of Hell

I love everything about Bat Out of Hell. Everything is so extravagant, overcomposed, and just in general turned all the way up to 11. Steinman's melodies are rock-solid and his lyrics succeed in convinced you that the entire fate of mankind depends on whether or not this horny teenager gets to third base tonight in the backseat of a Chevy Camaro. EVERYTHING is at stake. Instrumentation is of course ridiculously on point with Todd Rundgren and members of the E Street Band combining to make this silly record one of the best and most enjoyable rock operas ever. Thank you Meat Loaf, you absolute legend.

Easy five stars. This album is operatic, cheesy, over the top, wonderful. I knew meatloaf but had never really taken the time to go through this record. It feels like a proto-power metal album, even including a song that could have been a hit if not for a weird spoken word opening minute. This is my shit, embrace the kitsch and lean in.

Heterosexual Elton John. I always love rock piano; some of the lyrics are icky tho.

people did a lot of drugs in the 70s

Yo, Meatloaf is the Bruce Springsteen for theatre kids! So as a theatre expat I loved this album so much. I could not help but picturing every song being performed on stage. It was just dripping with melodrama so you could feel the light-hearted cheesiness of it, but Meatloaf's impressive pipes just drove it all home with gravitas. Expanding on my Springsteen claim, I felt the driving bright piano all over this album is so common on "Born to Run," and the musicality in general was very reminiscent of the E-Street Band. Learning that these songs were written by a composer came as no shock to me.

It's fucking Meatloaf! Of course it gets 5 stars. That was my review before actually listening to it. My God, what a colossal heap of shit this is. Music for jockeys who've had too much cocaine.

I think I’ve heard this in my nightmares before, utterly terrifying. The constant whiplash of every song ending and starting again 15 times was exhausting. The opening to the second track was repulsive. A few scattered thoughts from during the listen: -I feel as if I’m on my way to vote republican -Meat Loaf is quickly becoming one of my top 5 most feared sleep paralysis hallucinations -Lorde really tried to title an album “Melodrama” after this had existed for years -I am fearful of those who listen to this during their 8 am commute -I don’t think I have audibly laughed so much during an album before, I doubt that was Meat Loaf’s intention Best track: Heaven can wait (if I had to choose, dont be mistaken for praise) Dishon mentions: everything else

Frankly, and indeed somewhat purposefully, this album is a clear oddity. A work where the bombast is the point, where everything is XXXL and then further expanded, the only parallel that springs to mind is Born to Run, which is comparatively modest. But does it work? An album of histrionics and declared emotional extremes harking back to the teenage experience, I ultimately found such a pose too much of an affectation to embrace. Of course, the paradox here is that the affectation was obviously meant sincerely, that Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf authentically loved the sentiments of this album. But I do not share that stance, and this attempt to make the ultimate rock 'n roll album doesn't fully escape self-parody. (Speaking of which, didn't rock 'n roll start off stripped-down and straightforward? How do you get from That's All Right Mama to Paradise by the Dashboard Light?) In fairness, there are of course occasions for such grandiosity, and I shan't object if someone puts a track of this album on the jukebox, but I wouldn't do it myself.

Just a wild ride throughout. Not a particularly great album but its not supposed to be. Its supposed to be loud, weird and fun which it absolutely nails. Went in with low expectations bc all the jokes about Meatloaf, but turns out I was taking myself too seriously with my expectations. Actually I take back what I said about it not being good. Its very good musically and just fun overall. This would be my third album on a desert album if it was just a bit longer.

A towering blancmange of an album that seems to teeter under it's own weight but manages to hold everything going. It's big, like a Rogers and Hammerstein production, the aural equivalent to a Busby Berkeley number; but underneath it all, deeply conservative, looking backwards both in terms of instrumentation and lyrical themes. The band thus come across more like an overheated Mott the Hoople than anything else; and atop this rock 'n' roll purist maelstrom is the inimitable Meat Loaf, bellowing and wheezing his way through the material like his life depends on it. A triumph, then, albeit a very strange and singular one.

This is...not what I expected from Meat Loaf. Having only heard Paradise by the Dashboard Light, this album really surprised me in such a fantastic way. It felt like it was too much at all times, but I was having such a great time listening so I can't complain.

Saved Prior: Paradise By the Dashboard Light Off Rip: Bat Out of Hell, You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth, All Revved Up with No Place to Go, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Look. Turn your sophisti-brain off for 46 minutes and 31 seconds and enjoy this album. Is it the most incredible, world-changing music ever? No. Does it need to be to be an eminently enjoyable album? NO. This album is so fun and anyone who hates on it needs to lighten up. 4 stars.

Why have I not been listening to Meat Loaf my whole freaking life? These songs have been stuck in my head all day. Rock operas are cliche now but I think this is the pinnacle of that achievement. One reviewer once said that this was "Grand Guignol pop", and that is also appropriate.

Butt

can i give this 0 stars?

I was immediately enthralled by BAT OUT OF HELL the first time I heard it as a kid in the 70’s. The title track was unlike anything I’d ever heard. I’d listen staring at the album art spellbound as motorcycles tore out of hell and through heaven backed by angelic choirs. Meat Loaf soared effortlessly over the bombast as the lyrics took me on journeys of love, lust, heartbreak, dreams, nightmares, good and evil with as much drama as anything I had ever encountered. The word epic was made for this album. Meat Loaf is the perfect vehicle to transition between its high drama (“Bat Out Of Hell”), soaring hymns (“Heaven Can Wait”), tragic love (“Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad”), love & lust (“You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth”, “Paradise By The Dashboard Lights”) , and youthful angst (“All Revved Up With No Place To Go”). He then manages to bring it all to a perfect conclusion with the glorious “For Crying Out Loud.” Later in life that I realized the enormous role played by the other genius behind this album, Jim Steinman. His mastery of the rock epic was scattered across not only Meat Loaf’s triumphs but also other artists - notably Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Cher, Celine Dion - and from movies like Streets of Fire and Footloose). Since that realization I have been as big a fan of his work as I am of Meat Loaf. BAT OUT OF HELL towers at the apex of both their careers. It is a timeless classic that had a major role in shaping my musical sensibilities. Meat Loaf left us a month and a half ago. This album is the perfect soundtrack for that moment. I picture him roaring into the afterlife on a Harley, angelic voices welcoming him home. RIP Meat Loaf.

Disgusting

Idk man I think this is terrible lol

Jesus fucking christ this is shit. Even the one I thought I liked, turns out I only liked a snippet of, not the entire 9634 minute long song.

This is the first album so far that I already loved and choose to listen to occasionally. There's nothing like it, and nothing I say can convey the joy it brings me.

Apparently the songs were original written for a musical and it serves that - big, dramatic and narrative. A few of the tracks were staples of FM radio in the 1980s and "Mouth" (cbf writing that title in full) is a glorious example of that era. As much as this is a work of recorded music, at the same time it feels like it would be just as good to see live. Maybe that's its strength - it's a recording that feels as epic as a live performance. Meat Loaf's vocals are thrilling and powerful, turning it up to 11 and always for a good reason. Least fave track - "Paradise". Tbh I'm not needing an epic saga of two teens rooting in a car.

I'm starting to lean towards records with a sense of story, drama and ambition. This is all of the above with the kitchen sink and a big squirt of cream and a handful of cherries on top. Starts big and goes up from there.

This one is a very loud opera rock album developed from a musical, a futuristic version of "Peter Pan". It sounds epic, and grandiose. Of course it's not surprising for an opera rock album. But I've listened to a few opera rock albums, most notably "The Wall" and "Ziggy Stardust". But while the mentioned albums are great, both are not as loud and ridiculous as "Bat Out of Hell". It is already evident in the cover, explosive motorcycle ride in nearly all red color scheme. Of course loud isn't equal to quality. The album starts out loud, and get monotonous after a while. But on the latter half, it starts to build-up. The latter tracks are all stellar, and together, the album creates a solid narrative. Which apparently involves teenage angst and all the stuff that comes with it. It's a pop album like no other.

Outstanding! I love Jim Steinman's over the top, theatrical way of writing. It's like listening to a movie. A silly one, granted, but the experience is always dramatic and such a thrill ride. To be honest, the album could have had white noise after the title track and my score would have been the same. Absolute beast: Bat out of hell Also awesome: You took the words tight out of my mouth

I have never understood the broad appeal for Meat Loaf. Perhaps it is because his music taps a similar campy vein to what I understand to be present in Rocky Horror Picture Show. In any case, this is an album I have never had any intention of listening to, yet here we are... Four songs in this is everything that I expected. Super flamboyant / campy production and compositions that feel overstuffed and theatrical at their core. There is some fine instrumental work in here to be sure, but I am not into the aesthetic. This one gets 2 stars only because Paradise by the Dashboard Light is a guilty pleasure of mine.

At least when Soft Cell were terrible they had the decency to be terrible in short 3-minute bursts. Bloated, self-involved, unlistenable hot garbage.

Terrible

My fucking word that's awful. I couldn't listen to the whole album. Was just painful

Day 2 of a three year journey that I am now questioning. Of course, I have heard songs from this album before I have never understood the appeal or the acclaim. This album sounds like someone had an idea for a shitty stage musical, someone else had an idea for a shitty rock album, and a third person had an idea for a shitty pop album. Mix it all together and you get a meatloaf of shit. I just don’t get the appeal of this at all. Listening to it made my day worse.

I hate this album.....I hated it when it first came out...and I still hated it....not even going to listen to it....

def not something id listen to i hate musicals but i like the way "you took the words right out of my mouth" starts abi yok cidden ölüm gibi bi albüm hiç beğenmedim çok aşırı müzikal ve genel olarak kötü yani bilmiyorum kendi türünde kötü değildir ama ben cidden bu tür şarkılardan nefret ediyorum 45 dklık işkence gibi ABİ YETER AMK BİT BİT YETER CİDDEN YETER SUS ARTIK JIM SUS SUS YETOOOO SUS ARTIK BİTMEDİ AMK ALBÜMÜ YA 1/5 cidden berbat amk kendimi kesicem

only good thing abt this album was the beginning of “you took the words right out of my mouth”. thats all also why cant we give a half rating? if we could i would rate this album 0.5

The album cover is better than any of the garbage on this album.

It's like if Elton John rode one of those three-wheeled motorcycles

This is a timeless album. A staple in rock history and should be required for every fan of music to listen to.

Great album, nice vocals and lyrics and catchy i also liked the symphonic elements used album sounds like something elton john would make great listen

Helllooooo friends!! This album is best listened to while drunk. Which I currently am. However… we listened to this album sober leaving Gus’s on the way driving to Columbus. In short Meat is FUCKING NOTHING with out the brilliance of Jim Steinman (close enough) I wish I knew what my brain could do if I didn’t have every damn lyric of this album at the ready at all times. And I’m torn and twisted…

A fun horny masterpiece

Epic! Paradise by the dashboard light is utterly brilliant. Nils Lofgren's guitar is piercing, the vocal delivery amazing and the arrangements are, well, epic.

Another easy 5 star album on this list. I personally only listened to this for the first time in full shortly before Meatloaf passed away. I was born ten years after it came out, but I sure missed out for the many years I could have listened to it before I finally did. I really only knew Meatload from I Would Do Anything For Love, which I thought was kind of a goofy song, so I had a non-serious expectation for Bat Out Of Hell. What an epic, outrageous, beautiful, hilarious, and fun album this is. It’s one of those albums that sucks you in and transports you into the story when you listen to it. While a few of the songs are great by themselves (particularly the title track and Paradise By The Dashboard Light), it’s undoubtedly an album best experienced front to back. Musically and even lyrically, in a weird way I think of it as a cousin album to Born To Run. It sounds similar at times and has the “teenage us against the world let’s get out of here” vibe to it. There’s more guitar here than Born To Run, expertly played by the great Todd Rundgren. Jim Steinman’s story on the album is a tremendous teenage rock opera, with all the themes of freedom, misguided invulnerability, sex, and romance. Everything about the album is good, but Meatloaf’s vocals are the star of the show. His range and the emotion in his voice is just tremendous, and is the perfect medium for Steinman’s story. Some of the notes he hits in the title track are especially wild. I think the vocals are as good as any rock album ever made. In terms of songs, Bat Out Of Hell, All Revved Up And No Place To Go, and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad are all highlights. But Paradise By The Dashboard Light is the epic climax of the record, and it’s a great and pretty funny story in itself. One of the best of the 70’s and great rock operas of all time.

We have a winner! This is the first real rock re it’s I ever owned for myself. It was a gift from my older brother on my 13th birthday. He later told me many time he regretted the gift, as I played it over, and over, and over... superbadass! “Bat out of Hell”. That song rocks. This is a big album with big vocals guitars, and operatic aspirations. Love Weird talking vocal intros, the broadcaster play-by-play near the dashlight and the overall vibe that at the time seemed like a new version of rock music. If you’ve never seen the Paradise video with Ellen Foley, it’s worth checking out. This is a solid 4 but I’m rounding up a whole star because of a very heavy nostalgia factor.

If the entire album was just the song Bat out of Hell repeated seven times it'd still be one of the better albums ever produced.

When you look for a mega epic, feel-good, you-only-live-once rock record, you can't get any better than this

OHHHH openingggggggggg Final Thoughts: 5/5

Childhood for me. My mom listened to so much Meatloaf when I was kid, especially this album. Fucking awesome man. I still remember watching paradise by the dashboard light. This big sweaty man dancing and twisting around in a blouse. But all I could think was "Man this guys fucks." And he does.

ist in meiner Sammlung und immer gern gehört. Einfach große klasse!!!

Can't believe we got this pick the same week he died. Great album. Totally 70s, but timelessly great. Inappropriate memory: they used to play Paradise by the Dashboard Lights at dances I went to in 8th grade. That's not right. But the girls loved singing the "Stop right there!" part. RIP Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf and thanks for rocking our faces off. Easy 5.

Wow, that was an experience. Was not prepared for that. That was one of the best albums I have heard in a while.

Legendary record. Ridiculously over the top, way too grandiose and at times it feels almost like a straight up spoof on rock operas.. In other words; it’s just perfect. Steinman’s songwriting is incredible and the feeling of impending doom is perfectly supported by one of the most impressive bands ever put together and Meat Loaf’s almost absurd vocal. What a performance from just everyone involved. Few albums are as much pure fun as this. And while it contains every recipe to be well over an hour long, the fact that the runtime is just over 45 minutes is almost a miracle.

Incredible rock and roll opera 10/10

Piper Down is covering "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights," and I still have this album on vinyl (I think, gonna have to check). But when was the last time I listened to this front to back? Today, apparently. Let's go! OK, so I was planning to save 5-star ratings for "flawless" albums, and while I think "Heaven Can Wait" could have sealed it had it been a little less melodramatic, that's clearly the driving aesthetic sensibility of this album and damned if they don't pull it off. I'll admit, I thought Jim Steinman produced it, but this is a Todd Rundgren production and it's a real feat. The trio (Rundgren, Steinman, and Meat Loaf), along with some quality musicians, pull off a minor miracle in producing an album that's kitchy, over the top, and delivered with dramatic sincerity, while being clever, adolescent, and self-aware all at the same time. The album totally holds up, and stands alone in genre and classification. From the somber ridiculousness of "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" to the mini-opera that is "Paradise By The Dashboard Light," this album had big aspirations and managed to get it right over and over again.

One of the best sounding and best recorded albums of all time. Perfection. A theatrical movement from beginning to end with dynamics and passion and the best vocal performance that can be given from a singer who wants to bring others’ songs to life.

His name is Robert Paulson! His name is Robert Paulson! His name is Robert Paulson! His name is Robert Paulson!

What did people do at wedding parties before 1977?

would

Day 37 of Albums You Must Hear... Meat Loaf has been one of music’s most unique artists for fifty years. He would record with Motown Records early in his career, he performed on Broadway in Hair and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (as well as the film). When Mr. Loaf decided to leave theater and pursue music full time, he had a hard time finding a record label that believed in him, he was just such a different character. Long story short, Bat Out of Hell was released in 1977, and would go on to sell 43 million copies globally, and break a few records along the way. Meat Loaf’s theater experience is what makes this album shine, it’s essentially a musical on wax. The vocals, the backing vocals, and genius arrangements are executed to perfection. Also, Bat Out of Hell has some of the best blues piano playing you can ask for!! Paradise By the Dashboard Light is a funky song that probably showcases the albums potential to its fullest. Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad is a great ballad that I’ve heard on the radio my whole life and it’s still good. You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) has some of those old Motown roots that I love. Bat Out of Hell, the song, is a nearly ten minute all out rock epic adventure. You can totally see the influence this music had on Jack Black. All Revved Up with No Place to Go breaks out the horns and has that Saturday night feeling that lots of music in the late 70’s wanted to capture. Bat Out of Hell II came out in the early 90’s and the cutest girl in my school loved Meat Loaf, so I obviously paid a little attention. I have to be honest, I thought this music was a little weird back then. Meat Loaf has grown on me over the years and he deserves all the recognition he gets and then some. He’s a great singer, actor and creator. I absolutely loved him in the film Fight Club. This album is legendary and I had fun listening to it! Please share your thoughts, memories and opinions!!

There is a reason that Meat Loaf is kind of meme. Fun music, melodramatic as hell, with strong metal feels throughout.

Of course I'm familiar with the hits from this album but I've never listened to it all the way through before. Very broadway musical, teen rock opera, tongue in cheek. The cover art captures the spirit perfectly. These songs are also very catchy, in addition to fun, so no wonder it spawned so many hits. I had no idea I would like this album as much as I did.

Wow. This gives me rock opera realness. I understand meatloaf's appearance in rocky horror now. Also slightly self-indulgent. Each song is like 8 minutes long with three movements.

I can see why everyone loves this album. Just like how people are obsessed with musicals. I, however, am not into musicals very much, and thus am not a fan of the operatic nature of this album. The songs constantly shift in style and loudness to get the audience engaged. There's an over-reliance on hooks, but it often works. The best song is "Paradise by the Dashboard," with genre transitions that match the storytelling. Love the dialogue between characters. "Two Out of Three Aint Bad" is the best consistent song, retaining its identity without doing anything too outlandish that became a weakness of other songs. "You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth" is really catchy and even I couldn't resist singing a lot to it. The title track is a decent opener that shows the direction this album will take. The other 3 songs are pretty forgettable.

Du bon rock @ancienne qui fait plaiz. J'ai pas été très attentif à l'écoute mais y'a moy que ça mérite une meilleure note, je ré-écouterai. RIP Meat Loaf aussi.

Really fun, theatrical experience. Steinman's gloriously simple and overwrought songwriting empowers Meat Loaf's voice, which conveys emotion potently. More than anything, I'm not surprised that this album started a franchise and has been converted into a musical, because this is theater kid music. There's some great stuff on here, such as the opener, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, and You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth. If you give in to the schmaltz, you'll probably have a fun time with Bat Out of Hell.

This is the bombastic, pervasive power rock pop album that dominated my youth. The only album which tackles topics such as a dude trying to get his girlfriend he doesn't love to bang him, while also bring advertised on the backs of late 70s marvel comics. It gets 3 stars because this is the only album on this list to feature the vocals of legendary Yankee broadcaster Phil Rizzutto

What a fun ride Bat Out Of Hell is! I am having visions of theater kids in the 70s getting so stoked to hear this record and perform its songs. It's definitely a helluva rock-n-roll musical and really made me smile this morning. I liked it as a whole, but You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth and Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad are my favs. I know more now why Meatloaf was made fun of and why he is beloved by his fans. What a killer show he must have done back in the day!

Straight up rock musical. It's got more of the "ride a motorcycle into the sunset" aesthetic than I like, but he really powers through and adds in a bit of humour.

Hm. Way more piano work than I exspected. I always thought Meat Loaf would sound more like maiden than Journey. This is Journey on pop 70s steroids

I had this friend growing up in the early 90’s, who really loved Meat Loaf. …but, like, he was really into Bat Out of Hell II, specifically that song about how Meat Loaf would do any thing for love, but he wouldn’t do “that”. We were in the same Boy Scout troop, so many, if not all, of my memories associated with Meat Loaf take place in his parent’s 1980’s Volkswagen Fox while traveling to Boy Scout meetings and camping trips and the like. There’s nothing worse than being trapped in a car and having to listen to music you can’t stand. Shockingly, I am not a Meat Loaf fan and I can directly attribute it to that egregious and prolonged over exposure. I don’t like this record one bit. It’s like if Elton John decided to go “metal” and wrote a musical about it. It’s overwrought and campy in a very unappealing way. I don’t think there’s ever been a day in my life where I could connect with music like this. Although, I will say it’s hilarious that Phil Rizzuto did the pseudo-pornographic play by play in “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights” and claims that he was “tricked” by Meat Loaf and didn’t realize the song was about sex. So…two stars.

Overblown.

Sweet Jeebus - why does everyone revere this album?

I don't understand why this is/was so popular.

This is probably great if you like cliché-ridden melodramatic melodies, harmonies and lyrics. I don’t.

Nah

Wow this was bad. Springsteen if he had never seen a boob.

Pish

Sucks

hated it every second too phony

Trash

It's a short, yet long album. Some great hits. Very memorable album.

This album is FANTASTIC! Every song was a standout to me and the album flowed/told a great story! I highly recommend listening to this Classic Rock Masterpiece

so cool i thought it was very cool

Sixty-three days in, I finally have a favorite album of mine to listen to yet again. I've loved this album since I was 13 for its bombastic, lighthearted, energetic vibes. Paradise by the Dashboard Light makes it easy to imagine what being a dumb teenager in the 1970s would be like and the title track is a great driving song. Also, Jim Steinman is a genius songwriter. Fav songs: all of them but especially PBTDL

I love this classic rock. loud theatrical style with passionate ballads. this shit meaty as hell. sick album cover too 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩

The loaf!

IMO the peak of Meatloaf, starts out strong then coasts a little then picks back up towards the end

Family favourite no need to listen

Excellent Album. Powerful voice and sick piano. Was not expecting this

Great album. Theatrical, big sound. I forgot how good it is.

Amazing

5/5 bat,you took the words,revvedup. Gotta check the musical

This is camp. This is rock and effing roll.

This album has everything. It might be a bit pretentious, but I see it as part of its charm.

A Classic

I don't know how to give this thing any then less than 5 stars...it's been there forever, still sounds great, is tied into countless teen memories... I can totally understand why some would say overwrought, cheesy etc...but part of that is what makes this great...it's operatic, over the top and memorable.

i really didnt expect to enjoy a meat loaf album, but this was excellent. it was apparently adapted from a musical, and you can tell — it feels like a movie. some songs (paradise…) were extremely long, but none of them felt like they dragged. surprisingly excellent all round.

really great

To me, this album is a masterpiece. All of the elements of rock you’d want in a rock album- soft, tender moments in Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, zany ridiculousness that is Paradise by the Dashboard Light, a display of the powerhouse Meatloaf was in every note. Brilliant album

Pleasant surprise!

Amazing album. I don't know if there is anything that could have been done to make it better.

I needed something this bombastic, cheesy, fun, and "epic" today. It truly pulled the best of hard rock and musical theater together into one ridiculous ride that I will gladly hop on again.

So I really like Meat Loaf. I knew that I liked that one song that came out in the 90s and got all popular, but I pretty much like all of this album as well. It’s got that sort of ballad-y sound that Queen has that I totally missed out on since I didn’t really listen to 70s music.