Ranking All of Meat Loaf’s Emotional Top-20 Hits

If you were to stop 100 people in the streets today and asked them what they knew about the late songwriter and performer Meat Loaf, there would likely be one common refrain. And that, of course, would be his most famous refrain: I would do anything for love / But I won’t do that.

Videos by American Songwriter

Those same people, however, might be surprised to find out the Dallas-born artist had more that just one hit. Instead, he boasted nine different songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Here below, we wanted to examines four of them. Specifically, Meat Loaf’s four Top-20 hits. Indeed, this is the definitive ranking of those tracks.

[RELATED: Behind the Band Name: Meat Loaf]

4. “I’d Lie for You (And That’s the Truth)” from Welcome to the Neighbourhood (1995)

This song, which hit No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, is just fine. It sounds like something from a film soundtrack, the kind of song that plays during an important montage or even at the end credits. It makes sense Meat Loaf sought a movie-like music video to pair with the ballad. Joining him on the track is artist Patti Russo. On the tune, the two sing about the power and strains of love,

I’d never tell you one lie, I’d never let you down
I’d never leave, I’d be the one who’d always be around
Baby, give me a chance

I’d pull the sun down from the sky
To light your darkest night
I wouldn’t let one drop of rain fall down into your life
Put your heart in my hands

3. “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” from Bat Out of Hell (1978)

This song, which hit No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcases the soulful power of Meat Loaf’s singing voice. Released on the singer’s signature 1978 LP Bat Out of Hell, Meat Loaf sings about not wanting to part from his love. Except she doesn’t love him back. He just can’t take it all, so he sings in the hopes to win her back. Meat Loaf’s voice is so good that he sells some pretty cheesy lyrics here, offering,

I poured it on and I poured it out
I tried to show you just how much I care
I’m tired of words and I’m too hoarse to shout
But you’ve been cold to me so long
I’m crying icicles instead of tears

2. “Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through” from Bad for Good (1981)

This song, which hit No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, boasts a big tension. The music video also features a young Angelina Jolie. The over-the-top emotive ballad is a classic rock staple, complete with buzzy guitars and backing choir. On the track, a passionate Meat Loaf sings to his female counterpart about the power of music,

You can’t run away forever
But there’s nothing wrong with getting a good headstart
You want to shut out the night, you want to shut down the sun
You want to shut away the pieces of a broken heart

Think of how we’d lay down together
We’d be listening to the radio so loud and so strong
Every golden nugget coming like a gift of the gods
Someone must have blessed us when he gave us those songs

1. “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” from Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993)

This song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for five weeks, was a bona fide hit. People all over the globe were wondering what the chorus meant—how could someone do anything for love but then not do something for it? Even if it meant never forgetting this moment. It made no sense and it was also wholeheartedly felt. The language wasn’t as important as the tone. Either way, the charts don’t lie. And on this song, Meat Loaf sings,

And I would do anything for love
I’d run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love
I’ll never lie to you and that’s a fact

But I’ll never forget the way you feel right now
Oh no
No way
And I would do anything for love
But I won’t do that,
No I won’t do

Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images