The 22 Best Meat Loaf Songs, from Paradise by the Dashboard Light On

What is Meat Loaf's most famous song?

"I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" is Meat Loaf's biggest hit, a 1993 epic that went to number one in America, Britain and many other countries. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is his most loved song, a karaoke favorite, and "Bat Out of Hell" and "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" are his 70s classics.

Meat Loaf songs from Bat Out of Hell

1. "Bat Out of Hell", 1977: a ten-minute motorcycle epic.
2. "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)", 1977: a romantic rocker with a spoken intro.
3. "Heaven Can Wait", 1977: a soft, piano-led ballad.
4. "All Revved Up with No Place to Go", 1977: a sax-driven teenage rocker.
5. "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad", 1977: his first big ballad hit.
6. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light", 1977: a theatrical duet with Ellen Foley and a baseball play-by-play.
7. "For Crying Out Loud", 1977: the sweeping closing ballad.

Meat Loaf songs of the 80s

8. "Dead Ringer for Love", with Cher, 1981: a rowdy duet.
9. "I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us", 1981: a big, dramatic rocker.
10. "Read 'Em and Weep", 1981: a power ballad later recorded by Barry Manilow.
11. "Midnight at the Lost and Found", 1983: an upbeat rocker.
12. "Modern Girl", 1984: a synth-rock single.

Meat Loaf songs from Bat Out of Hell II and later

13. "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)", 1993: his only US number one.
14. "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through", 1993: an anthem to the power of music.
15. Current options and prices are shown in the creation flow. You can listen to 4 free previews before deciding whether to pay; Premium includes a 14-day refund for genuine technical defects on Premium orders.
16. "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are", 1994: a moving song about memories.
17. "Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire)", 1993: a driving rocker.
18. "I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)", 1995: a Diane Warren power ballad.
19. "Not a Dry Eye in the House", 1996: a sweeping ballad.
20. "Is Nothing Sacred", 1999: a dramatic Steinman ballad.
21. "Couldn't Have Said It Better", with Patti Russo, 2003: a duet with his longtime singing partner.
22. "It's All Coming Back to Me Now", with Marion Raven, 2006: his take on a Steinman song made famous by Celine Dion.

Who was Meat Loaf?

Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas, in 1947. He moved into musical theater, playing Eddie in The Rocky Horror Show and its 1975 film, and met songwriter Jim Steinman through the New York theater world. Their album Bat Out of Hell (1977), produced by Todd Rundgren, became one of the best-selling albums in history. After years of struggles, he returned to the top with Bat Out of Hell II in 1993. He also acted in films including Fight Club, and he died in 2022.

Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman

Jim Steinman wrote the songs that defined Meat Loaf: long, operatic rock epics full of teenage passion, motorcycles and melodrama. Record labels initially turned the album down, but once released, Bat Out of Hell sold tens of millions of copies. The pair reunited for Bat Out of Hell II in 1993, Steinman songs also appeared on Bat Out of Hell III, and his work, including "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart", also became hits for other singers.

The story behind Paradise by the Dashboard Light

"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is a mini-musical about two teenagers in a parked car, sung as a duet with Ellen Foley. In the middle, New York Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto delivers a play-by-play of a baseball game as a double-meaning commentary. The song's theatrical back-and-forth has made it a favorite for duets, karaoke and school dances ever since, and a staple of classic rock radio.

What wouldn't he do for love?

The title of "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" famously confused listeners, who argued about what "that" meant. The answer is in the lyrics: each verse sets up the thing he won't do. The 12-minute album version and its gothic music video helped the song top the charts in 28 countries and win a Grammy.

Meat Loaf songs for karaoke

"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is the ultimate karaoke duet, "Dead Ringer for Love" is a fun one for a pair and "Bat Out of Hell" and "I'd Do Anything for Love" are showstoppers for confident singers. See our karaoke duets and best karaoke songs for more.

A rock anthem about your story

For a Meat Loaf fan, a personalized rock song can bring that big, theatrical energy to their own story: their name, the people they love and a chorus made for belting out. It makes a fun birthday or anniversary gift, and our rock love songs have more inspiration.

How to create a personalized rock song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: rock, pop, acoustic and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories or details about them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them an epic of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.