(Jim Steinman, left, with Meat Loaf, right)
How magical was Jim Steinman? Well, he wrote brutally honest songs about men lusting after women, gave them orchestral bombast and delivery by the mighty-lunged Meat Loaf, and they’ve been wedding reception standards ever since.
Look up “Two out of Three Ain’t Bad” on YouTube, and people are still mooning over it — without irony. “I want you. I need you, but there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you. But don’t be sad, ’cause two out of three ain’t bad.” Yes, ladies, two out of three is bad! The singer is saying, “I want to have sex with you — I really do — but I will never, ever marry you.” You’d think someone slipping in such terrible, base (though true for many) sentiments would be careful not to outright alienate fans. Not Steinman. He, of course, also wrote “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” also for Bat Out of Hell.
Steinman and Meat Loaf produced great anthems. I sing along with them too. I would just caution folks not to listen too carefully to the lyrics. Hmm, guess we don’t have to worry about that. They like them. They sing to them, they just don’t even understand them. But don’t be sad. Two out of three ain’t bad.
In Rolling Stone: Meat Loaf Remembers Jim Steinman: ‘He Was the Centerpiece of My Life’
Meat Loaf’s sexy backup singer below is Karla Devito, who went on to marry 70s teen idol Robby Benson in 1981. Unlike many couplings born of sex, drugs and rock’n roll, they remain married to this day. They have two children.
