He was an American singer with a big body and a big voice. He was an explosion onstage. You couldn’t not look.
And now Meat Loaf is gone, taken by Covid. There’s a hole in the music world.
I’ve loved his music since the 1980’s, singing along with his Greatest Hits – “Bat Out Of Hell”, “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” and …
For Cryin’ Out Loud
And that’s what I sang last night at the open mic session at Salvatore’s. I’ve wanted to burst the lyrics out of my mouth for many years but I was too scared. It’s long (eight minutes), it’s difficult, it’s passionate. “Not me right now. Maybe someday.”
Someday showed up last night. So did I, standing before an audience of thirty souls.
I had struggled with the learning. My level of memorization didn’t feel strong enough to deal with sixty eyes looking at me.
Just do it, Bruce
So I did … with the passion, with a loud and soft voice taking turns, just me and my open mouth.
I smile in the remembering. I sang the song well. I forgot a few words … no problemo. And I reached many of the thirty. That’s what I wanted.
The ending is tender. It was a privilege to sing these words:
For takin’ in the rain when I’m feeling so dry
For givin’ me the answers when I’m asking you why
My, oh my, for that I thank you
For takin’ in the sun when I’m feeling so cold
For givin’ me a child when my body is old
And don’t you know, for that I need you
For comin’ to my room when you know I’m alone
For findin’ me a highway, for driving me home
And you gotta know, for that I serve you
For pullin’ me away when I’m starting to fall
For revvin’ me up when I’m starting to stall
And all in all, for that I want you
For takin’ and for givin’ and for playin’ the game
For prayin’ for my future in the days that remain
Oh Lord, for that I hold you
Oh but most of all
For cryin’ out loud, for that I love you
Oh but most of all
For cryin’ out loud, for that I love you
Yes but most of all
For cryin’ out loud, for that I love you
When you’re cryin’ out loud
You know … I love you
***
Thank you, Meat
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8KyHDNQkBSA&si=bTR_x9WJxcjgcRQG
Bruce's Blog 