Meat Loaf Passes

“And Then You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth…”

By Ken DeLaat

Aw man, not Meat Loaf!
Accustomed as I have become to the ever increasing passing of the notables from my youth, this one hurt a bit. I mean, of course we all heaved a collective sigh when Betty White passed on the very cusp of her 100th b’day. 
The venerable Ms. White was indeed a national treasure.

Meat Loaf? 
Maybe not so much, but as a lover of the opera/rock approach he took toward performing as part of the (thankfully) post disco era, news of his demise delivered a bit of ennui to my day. The cleverly crafted songs of Jim Steinmann who penned the Bat Out of Hell album/8 track/cassette/CD were classic pieces of work. Both fun and seemingly fearless in their storytelling, all that was needed was the right person to deliver the goods.
And Meat Loaf was that person.

This morning I took in a video of him and his band performing the sensual and sardonic  “Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth” . It was a kind of mini tribute to the rocker who was born Marvin Lee Aday before hitting packed auditoriums as Meat Loaf. A consummate performer who combined a unique voice with some serious acting chops on stage and inexplicably is not in the Rock & Roll HOF.
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Forget the Hall. When they can put in the Dave Clark Five and not Warren Zevon their credibility wanes with me anyway. Besides, his signature songs will long resonate in every Karaoke night bar scene as imbibing couples strive to offer up their version of “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” and overserved soloists try taking on” 2 Out Of 3 Ain’t Bad”.

And believe me when you are cruising all alone down an open highway on a sunny day?
There is no better accompaniment to be found than a hefty dose of ‘Bat Out Of Hell’.
Thanks Meat Loaf. You provided a lot of fun.
And still do.

“Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night, I can see paradise by the dashboard light.”


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