I was visibly saddened by the passing of Meatloaf last week, even I was surprised at how the passing of someone who was a stranger to me in reality, but a constant companion in other ways hit me.
I was similarly affected by the passing of David Bowie. Meatloaf's Bat out of Hell is the best theatrical rock tune of all time. I love it so much and it brings me right back to my early teens. I am old enough to remember it in the charts, the first time around!
These lyrics by Cindy Prince @cindyrella are actually left over from FiftyNinty; I was have a dig through the words of my favourite lyricists and came across these and they fitted so well for this tune she was happy for me to use them.
It did not occur to me at the time of writing that there were some echoes of Steinman/Meatloaf on the chorus melody. The arrangement is very simple, voice, piano and harmonica but I think this give the words real space to "sing".
RIP Meatloaf and you always got that motorcycle to "Come on back to us"
Francis D'Souza on harp.
Come On Back To Me
© 2021 Cindy Prince
Mournin' our love that went out the door
You don't love me like you did before
I don't wanna live anymore
I'm strugglin' and drinkin' way too much
You said you ain't made to be a crutch
I ain't gonna make it without your touch
Chorus
Baby oh baby
I'm cryin' every night
Honey my honey
I wanna hold you tight
Girl my girl
Don't ya know it ain't right
Come on back to me
You gotta come on back to me
[Banging Harp Solo] Thanks Francis
I'm not sleepin' and I ain't eatin'
I feel like I've taken a beating
Girl you were my shinin' beacon
I'm not workin' very much at all
Cause girl you threw me a curve ball
I keep thinkin' surely you'll call
Repeat chorus (2)
@nancihobson1 Feb 2022
I remember listening to Meatloaf Bat out of Hell driving and smoking pot on a road trip to NH, fell in love with that album, one of my top favs.
Yes I definitely hear the Meatloaf vibes here in a very good way. Nice lyrics too! And the piano is just perfect.
@mctown Feb 2022
Cool....David
@audrey Feb 2022
This is such a beautiful soulful song with a rich gentle piano accompaniment. It brings Cindy's lovely lyrics to life. Great song guys!
@bluejean Feb 2022
this is fantastic, and moving. love the harp with piano.
@mardeycranbleson Feb 2022
Howard stern talked about meatloaf for a while the other week, how he was at a party and no one wanted to talk to him but he and meatloaf gravitated towards each other and he was grateful someone wa there to talk to him. On to this song I really am enjoying it the vocal delivery is perfect and it’s just a great melody and a great vocal and piano performance . And the harmonica comes in at just the right spot and is so satisfying!
@greengrassgirl Feb 2022
Very effective chorus and I love the harp solo! Nice job!
@jerrypettit Feb 2022
This IS very "meatloafy"--love it!
Such a tragedy that he died so unnecessarily (refused to get vaccinated). I love everything he did and I think he'd have enjoyed this song of yours. (And hey, you can't go wrong with lyrics from @cindyrella ).
@driftwood1 Feb 2022
This is killer. Well done by all of you.
@ferry0123 Feb 2022
I can definitely a bit of Meatlof in the piano playing too. The way this is sung truly reflects Cindy's lyrics!
@jamkar Feb 2022
Lots of Meatloaf authenticity in this beautiful song. Nicely done collaboration on all counts!
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
This is a really wonderful collaboration! I am glad you came back and brought the wonderful lyrics to life. Great sound with the piano and the harmonica! Wonderful flow!
@davidtaro Feb 2022
I completely agree on Bat Out of Hell. It's a stone cold masterpiece. I love how you've used such a sad thing to make this beautiful song out of Cindy's super lyric. It's really reminiscent of a lot of Meatloaf songs in its theatrical balladry, but I like that you keep it simple and understated. Piano playing is magnificent, as is that harp. Lovely lovely tune man.
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
this really does evoke the spirit of meatloaf, especially on the chorus. david fills cindy's words with echoes of sincere regret and longing. and then that oncredible harmonic sounding from the wings.
@writeandwrong Feb 2022
Aw, kudos to the fabulous collaboration. I feel the Meatloaf influence in here and the melody/performance is perfect for this heartfelt, flowing lyric. Wonderful!
@wobbiewobbit Feb 2022
the flavour of meatloaf in the music and delivery of this so adds to the poignancy, really strong song and that solo is gorgeous. nice collab
@cicpisces Feb 2022
Music captures the mood of the lyric. Really nice melody that plays with the flow of the lyric. Tells a clear story. Nice.
@sheamiejay Feb 2022
I hear a low key Meatloafish voice here. Like Meatloaf Lite. Great tribute to a great artist. Great harp sound.
@bandybum Feb 2022
Great homage. You nail the keys and voice beautifully and that haunting harmonica over the top really enriches the whole track. Great work, brother!
@donna Feb 2022
Oh man, what a lovely tribute. And that harp solo...
A fine lyric, as always, from Cindy, and compelling music & vocals from daveyboy. Really nice collaboration. (-:
@cindyrella Feb 2022
I love it more and more every time I hear it. I know Meatloaf would love it too. Than you so much-it is a treasure!
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
Yeah got the meatloaf feel. Very well done. Nice mouth organ, nicely placed good song. Id never actually picked the likeness between Springsteen melodies, well i hear both in here! Good lyric to kick it all off!
@gm7 Feb 2022
Nice blues song and that harb add the flavor especially toward the end.