Description
Meat Loaf – Hits Out Of Hell – Vinyl Record
Meat Loaf’s Hits Out of Hell (1984) is a greatest hits compilation that showcases some of the most iconic songs from the legendary rock singer’s career up to that point. The album primarily draws from his massively successful 1977 album, Bat Out of Hell, which is known for its grandiose, theatrical rock sound and its collaboration with songwriter Jim Steinman. Hits Out of Hell offers fans a concise collection of Meat Loaf’s best-known tracks, blending elements of rock opera, hard rock, and classic rock with emotionally charged lyrics and dramatic performances.
With Meat Loaf’s powerful voice at the forefront and Steinman’s epic, bombastic songwriting, Hits Out of Hell highlights the key elements that made Meat Loaf a rock icon. The compilation serves as both an introduction to his work and a celebration of his larger-than-life presence in rock music.
Meat Loaf’s music, especially in collaboration with Jim Steinman, is known for its highly dramatic, operatic style. The songs on Hits Out of Hell are full of theatrical flourishes, dynamic shifts in tempo, and sweeping melodies that make them feel more like mini rock operas than traditional rock songs. This over-the-top approach became a defining characteristic of Meat Loaf’s work, setting him apart from other rock acts of the time.
Meat Loaf’s voice is the centerpiece of every track, delivering impassioned performances that capture a wide range of emotions, from heartbreak and longing to exuberant joy. His ability to combine raw power with emotional vulnerability is one of the key reasons for his enduring appeal. Steinman’s songwriting style is known for its epic length, layered arrangements, and dramatic narratives. His songs often feature themes of love, rebellion, and the tensions between fantasy and reality, delivered with a mix of humor and intensity. Steinman’s work with Meat Loaf, particularly on the Bat Out of Hell songs, is considered some of the best in the history of rock music.
Key Tracks
“Bat Out of Hell”: The title track from Meat Loaf’s 1977 breakthrough album, “Bat Out of Hell” is a nearly 10-minute rock epic that encapsulates the bombastic, larger-than-life sound that defined his career. With its fast-paced, driving guitar riffs, operatic vocals, and a narrative about escape and freedom, the song is a quintessential example of Meat Loaf and Steinman’s collaborative magic.
“Paradise by the Dashboard Light”: Another iconic track from Bat Out of Hell, this song is a rock opera in miniature, blending rock, spoken-word segments, and playful duets. The song tells the story of teenage lust, romance, and eventual regret, using a baseball commentary metaphor for sexual tension. The track’s shifts in tone and style showcase Meat Loaf’s theatricality and versatility as a performer.
“Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad”: A ballad that contrasts with the more explosive songs on the compilation, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” highlights Meat Loaf’s ability to deliver emotional vulnerability. The song’s theme of unrequited love and compromise is enhanced by the heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocal delivery.
“You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)”: This track opens with a spoken-word introduction before launching into a catchy, upbeat rock tune. It’s one of the more playful songs in Meat Loaf’s catalog, blending humor with the themes of love and desire that run through much of his work.
“I’m Gonna Love Her for Both of Us”: A lesser-known track compared to the Bat Out of Hell hits, this song from Dead Ringer (1981) maintains the theatrical, Steinman-penned sound. It’s a powerful, dynamic song that explores themes of passion and sacrifice.
Many of the songs on Hits Out of Hell deal with the complexities of romantic relationships, often with a sense of grandiosity and melodrama. Tracks like “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” explore the highs and lows of love, from youthful infatuation to unfulfilled desires.
Several of the songs on the album, particularly “Bat Out of Hell,” focus on themes of escape and the desire for freedom. These songs often feature characters trying to break free from societal constraints or personal limitations, using powerful imagery of speed, motion, and rebellion.
Jim Steinman’s lyrics frequently blur the line between fantasy and reality, creating songs that feel larger than life. The theatrical nature of the songs amplifies the sense that the characters in Meat Loaf’s music are constantly striving for something beyond the mundane, whether it’s perfect love, eternal youth, or complete freedom.
Meat Loaf’s voice is the centerpiece of the album, with his dynamic range and ability to convey both power and emotion making each track feel like a performance. His larger-than-life delivery matches the epic scope of the songs, allowing him to embody the characters and narratives in Steinman’s lyrics.
The guitar riffs, especially on songs like “Bat Out of Hell,” are fast and powerful, often evoking a sense of movement and urgency. At the same time, many of the songs feature lush orchestration, with strings, piano, and backing vocals adding to the theatrical feel of the music. The combination of rock instrumentation and classical elements creates a sense of grandeur and drama that elevates the music beyond typical rock fare.
Steinman’s songwriting often features complex structures, with songs that shift between different sections, tempos, and moods. This adds a sense of unpredictability to the music, keeping listeners engaged as each song builds toward a climactic moment.
Hits Out of Hell serves as an excellent introduction to Meat Loaf’s music for new listeners, offering a curated selection of his most iconic songs. While much of the material comes from Bat Out of Hell, the compilation also includes tracks from other albums, giving fans a broader perspective on his career. Released in 1984, Hits Out of Hell helped reignite interest in Meat Loaf’s music at a time when his popularity had waned somewhat. The compilation reaffirmed his status as one of rock’s most unique and theatrical performers.
The songs on Hits Out of Hell have become iconic in their own right, influencing countless artists in both rock and pop. The over-the-top style, blending rock with operatic storytelling, helped pave the way for other theatrical performers and contributed to the development of rock opera as a legitimate genre. Meat Loaf’s style also influenced a wide range of artists who sought to combine rock music with a sense of drama and spectacle.
Hits Out of Hell by Meat Loaf is a must-have compilation for fans of theatrical, larger-than-life rock music. Featuring some of his most iconic songs, including several from the groundbreaking Bat Out of Hell album, the compilation highlights Meat Loaf’s powerful voice, Jim Steinman’s epic songwriting, and the unique fusion of rock, drama, and emotional intensity that defined his music. Hits Out of Hell serves both as an ideal introduction for new listeners and as a reminder of why Meat Loaf remains one of the most distinctive and beloved figures in rock history.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Bat Out Of Hell
Read ‘Em And Weep
Midnight At The Lost And Found
Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad
Dead Ringer For Love
Modern Girl
I’m Gonna Love Her For Both Of Us
You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)
Razor’s Edge
Paradise By The Dashboard Light
B5.i Paradise
B5.ii Let Me Sleep On It
B5.iii Praying For The End Of Time
