# Meat Loaf is in the Rear View Mirror Now
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Tags:** celebrity-death, music
**Created:** [January 21, 2022, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162 "2022-01-21T08:53:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/1 "2022-01-21T08:53:45Z")
I’m not usually the type to participate in, much less start, threads about celebrities who have passed on, but damn it, [Meat Loaf has died.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/singer-and-actor-meat-loaf-dies-at-74-family-says/2022/01/21/31f7bdc4-7a91-11ec-bf97-6eac6f77fba2_story.html?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wp_news_alert_revere&location=alert&wpmk=1&wpisrc=al_news__alert-entertain--alert-national&pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJjb29raWVuYW1lIjoid3BfY3J0aWQiLCJpc3MiOiJDYXJ0YSIsImNvb2tpZXZhbHVlIjoiNTk2OTkwN2Y5YmJjMGY2ZDcxYzM5MmIzIiwidGFnIjoid3BfbmV3c19hbGVydF9yZXZlcmUiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy53YXNoaW5ndG9ucG9zdC5jb20vbG9jYWwvb2JpdHVhcmllcy9zaW5nZXItYW5kLWFjdG9yLW1lYXQtbG9hZi1kaWVzLWF0LTc0LWZhbWlseS1zYXlzLzIwMjIvMDEvMjEvMzFmN2JkYzQtN2E5MS0xMWVjLWJmOTctNmVhYzZmNzdmYmEyX3N0b3J5Lmh0bWw_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1hbGVydCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj13cF9uZXdzX2FsZXJ0X3JldmVyZSZsb2NhdGlvbj1hbGVydCZ3cG1rPTEmd3Bpc3JjPWFsX25ld3NfX2FsZXJ0LWVudGVydGFpbi0tYWxlcnQtbmF0aW9uYWwifQ.rcCaGjqVa4cPNvGzCMquxiQc7QpNnEjlZtcPNp22VdA)
The linked article suggests a more complex relationship between the artist and the songs he sang than I had expected. I assumed, incorrectly it seems, that Meat Loaf himself wrote songs like “Objects in the Rear View Mirror.” I was also certain that Meat Loaf had experienced trauma and abuse as a child or he could not have written/performed such a song as he did. It’s a bit of a surprise for me to realize he didn’t write what he sang. Still, I think his own experiences must have informed his performances.
Thank you, Meat Loaf, for expressing teenage angst and sexual awakening, the after-effects of being savagely mistreated as a child, and the longing to break free of societal restrictions. I’ll always identify with and love the songs you sang.
---
### Author:  [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/2 "2022-01-21T08:56:44Z")
Oooh, that one stings. “Bat Out of Hell” is one of my favorite albums of all time and he was the only singer out there with the bombast and flair to bring Jim Steinman’s lyrics to life. I’d like to imagine that in some other plane of existence, they’re hanging out in the high school parking lot after class, leaning on their muscle cars and flirting with the cheerleaders.
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### Author:  [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/3 "2022-01-21T09:21:26Z")
Oh, that sucks. I hate to hear that.
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### Author:  [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/4 "2022-01-21T09:21:48Z")
He was gone when the morning came.
It was always an obvious source of frustration for Steinman that he couldn’t sing his own songs the way Meat Loaf did, but at least he had Meat Loaf to sing them. And “Bat Out of Hell” remains a glorious album.
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### Author:  [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/5 "2022-01-21T09:29:25Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#):
>
> I assumed, incorrectly it seems, that Meat Loaf himself wrote songs like “Objects in the Rear View Mirror.”
Jim Steinman, who only died recently himself, wrote his most famous tunes. He was king of the epic sound, including other famous mega-hits for other artists like Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”, and Celine Dion’s “All Coming Back To Me Now”. If you listen to them all, you can recognise a thematic consistency.
Anyway, Meat Loaf was the perfect vessel for those kinds of epic ballads, and he had a mighty fine time of doing so.
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### Author:  [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/6 "2022-01-21T09:38:07Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#):
>
> I was also certain that Meat Loaf had experienced trauma and abuse as a child or he could not have written/performed such a song as he did.
That part, at least, is true - Meat’s dad was an alcoholic who would disappear for days at a time on benders, and he claimed at least once that “Meat Loaf” was originally something his dad would call him to make fun of his weight.
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### Author:  [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/7 "2022-01-21T09:46:05Z")
I remember listening to Meat Loaf when I was a young kid of 8 or so. My older brother had just gotten Bat Out of Hell on vinyl, and that record had a lot of play on it.
I’ve been a fan ever since and I’ve seen him in concert twice.
I think it may have to be meatloaf for dinner tonight.
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### Author:  [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/8 "2022-01-21T09:46:46Z")
I had no idea he was that old, or at least didn’t make the association - I first encountered him in RHPS, so I _should_ have, but I mentally have slotted him as a 90s singer.
“He had a certain naive charm, but no muscle.” Poor Eddie.
Man sure had some pipes on him.
> [@Smapti](#):
>
> he was the only singer out there with the bombast and flair to bring Jim Steinman’s lyrics to life
Bonnie Tyler? Andrew Eldritch? Celine Dion?
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### Author:  [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/9 "2022-01-21T09:49:20Z")
Man that sucks. My condolences to his family.
Only got to see half of one of his concerts. He lost his voice and cancelled the show. Then when they scheduled the rain date I could not attended.
> [@Smapti](#):
>
> That part, at least, is true - Meat’s dad was an alcoholic who would disappear for days at a time on benders, and he claimed at least once that “Meat Loaf” was originally something his dad would call him to make fun of his weight.
I’ve heard about 4 different stories about the name. One was he stepped on his football coaches foot who told him “Get off my foot, ya meat loaf!”.
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### Author:  [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/10 "2022-01-21T10:09:14Z")
> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> Bonnie Tyler? Andrew Eldritch? Celine Dion?
Eh, they’re alright. I prefer Meat’s version of “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”, though.
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOGPHUFAxWQ)
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### Author:  [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/11 "2022-01-21T10:21:43Z")
His name was Robert Paulson…
😥😥😥
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### Author:  [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/12 "2022-01-21T10:40:36Z")
He showed that you didn’t have to be a pretty boy to be wanted by the girls and experience love. I owe him big time for that. Thanks Meat, miss you! 😪
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/13 "2022-01-21T11:35:20Z")
_Bat Out Of Hell_ may be his best known album, but _Welcome To The Neighborhood_ will always be my favorite.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/14 "2022-01-21T12:09:33Z")
I remember him best from The Celebrity Apprentice. Gary Busey was irritating _every one_ and Meatloaf finally had enough.
Meat loved Sports. I heard stories that his road band played local softball teams to relax off stage.
Meat even coached a girls team. His busy acting and Tour schedules limited his participation.
**RIP** and thank you for the many years of entertainment.
> **[Meat Loaf Was My Softball Coach](https://deadspin.com/meat-loaf-was-my-softball-coach-5821391)**
>
> In 1991, I was a high school freshman in the small town of Redding, Conn. My brother was a senior, and his prom date was one of our neighbors down the street, a junior, Pearl Aday. Pearl would drive me home from softball practice when her father, our...
> **[Meat Loaf Has An EPIC 'Celebrity Apprentice' Meltdown](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meatloafs-epic-celebrity-apprentice-meltdown_n_844281)**
>
> Meat Loaf Has An EPIC 'Celebrity Apprentice' Meltdown
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/15 "2022-01-21T12:25:15Z")
Meat Loaf wasn’t one of artists that I particularly followed, for whatever reason – there were many popular musicians and bands that I just never connected with. But I do fondly remember him from the wonderful 1975 cult movie _The Rocky Horror Picture Show_. From that alone, I mourn the loss of another icon of my past.
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### Author:  [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/16 "2022-01-21T12:36:27Z")
More than any other musical artists, Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman provided the soundtrack to the happiest years of my life. I saw Rocky Horror over 70 times, and my ex and I even met Meat and got his autograph after a BOoH2 concert. Won’t deny, this one strikes deep.
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### Author:  [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/17 "2022-01-21T12:40:19Z")
Hot patooties bless my soul
I really loved his rock n’ roll
RIP.
[from one who saw RHPS far too many times in the 70’s to openly admit]
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### Author:  [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/18 "2022-01-21T12:45:25Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#):
>
> [from one who saw RHPS far too many times in the 70’s to openly admit]
This seems like as good an excuse as any to share my Eddie cosplay from a few years back.
[ ](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1921/43838425300_9492efc0fc_z.jpg)
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/19 "2022-01-21T13:17:43Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#):
>
> His name was Robert Paulson…
His name was Robert Paulson
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [January 21, 2022, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meat-loaf-is-in-the-rear-view-mirror-now/958162/20 "2022-01-21T13:34:51Z")
I couldn’t listen to Meatloaf very often.
My ears could only take a little of his operatic style at a time. It would trigger my tinnitus.
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