View source for Meat Loaf

==Career==
===Early career===
In Los Angeles, Meat Loaf formed his first band, Meat Loaf Soul.<ref name=autobiography/> The band received several recording contracts.<ref name=bbcobit>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27469244 |title=Obituary: Meat Loaf |work=[[BBC News]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123135200/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27469244 |url-status=live}}</ref> Meat Loaf Soul's first gig was in [[Huntington Beach, California]] in 1968 at the Cave, opening for [[Van Morrison]]'s band [[Them (band)|Them]] and [[Question Mark and the Mysterians]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2022/01/21/rock-legend-meat-loaf-dies-at-74/ |title=Rock Legend Meat Loaf Dies At 74 |first=Marc |last=Berman |work=[[Forbes]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123003851/https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2022/01/21/rock-legend-meat-loaf-dies-at-74/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Meat Loaf later described his early days in the music industry as being treated like a "circus clown."<ref name=unique>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/features/meat-loaf-1947-2022-tribute-obituary-3143443 |title=Meat Loaf, 1947 – 2022: a unique performer with big, bold odes to the dreamers and believers |first=James |last=McMahon |work=[[NME]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123210415/https://www.nme.com/features/meat-loaf-1947-2022-tribute-obituary-3143443 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The band underwent several changes of lead guitarists, changing the name of the band each time, to names including Popcorn Blizzard and Floating Circus. As Floating Circus, they opened for [[the Who]], [[the Fugs]], [[the Stooges]], [[MC5]], the [[Grateful Dead]], and [[the Grease Band]]. Their regional success led them to release a single, "Once Upon a Time", backed with "Hello". Meat Loaf then joined the Los Angeles production of the musical ''[[Hair (musical)|Hair]]''.<ref name="guardianobit">{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=January 21, 2022 |title=Meat Loaf obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/21/meat-loaf-obituary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122223243/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/21/meat-loaf-obituary |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

===1970s===
[[File:Meatloaf and Stoney 1971.JPG|thumb|Meat Loaf and Stoney ([[Shaun Murphy (singer)|Shaun Murphy]]), 1971]]
With the publicity generated from ''[[Hair (musical)|Hair]]'', Meat Loaf accepted an invitation by [[Motown]], in Detroit. In addition to appearing as "Mother" and "Ulysses S. Grant" at Detroit's Vest Pocket Theatre, he recorded  the vocals with fellow ''Hair'' performer [[Shaun Murphy (singer)|Shaun "Stoney" Murphy]] on an album of songs written and selected by the Motown production team. The album, titled ''[[Stoney & Meatloaf]]'' (with Meatloaf spelled as one word), was released in September 1971 and included the single "[[What You See Is What You Get (song)|What You See Is What You Get]]"; it reached number 36 on the [[Best Selling Soul Singles]] chart and number 71 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart. Meat Loaf and Stoney toured with [[Jake Wade and the Soul Searchers]], opening for [[Richie Havens]], [[the Who]], [[the Stooges]], [[Bob Seger]], [[Alice Cooper]], and [[Rare Earth (band)|Rare Earth]]. Meat Loaf left Motown soon after the label replaced his and Stoney's vocals from the one song he liked, "Who Is the Leader of the People?" with new vocals by [[Edwin Starr]].<ref name=snapesobit/> He moved to [[Freeland, Michigan]], for a year and was the opening act at the [[Grande Ballroom]] 80 times.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mlive.com/life/2022/01/meat-loaf-on-how-my-entire-career-started-in-michigan-legendary-singer-dead-at-74.html |title=Meat Loaf on how 'My entire career started in Michigan:' Legendary singer dead at 74 |first=Edward |last=Pevos |work=[[Booth Newspapers]] |date=January 21, 2022}}</ref>

In December 1972, Meat Loaf was in the original [[off-Broadway]] production of ''Rainbow'' at the [[Orpheum Theatre (Manhattan)|Orpheum Theatre]] in New York.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/meat-loaf-dead |title=Meat Loaf 1947 – 2022 |first=Scott |last=Bernstein |work=[[JamBase]] |date=September 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123224619/https://www.jambase.com/article/meat-loaf-dead |url-status=live}}</ref> After the tour, Meat Loaf rejoined the cast of ''Hair'', this time at a [[Broadway theater]]. After he hired an agent, he auditioned for the [[Public Theater]]'s production of ''[[More Than You Deserve]]''. During the audition, Meat Loaf met [[Jim Steinman]]. He sang a Stoney and Meat Loaf favorite of his, "(I'd Love to Be) As Heavy as Jesus", and subsequently got the part of Rabbit, a maniac that blows up his fellow soldiers so they can "go home." [[Ron Silver]] and [[Fred Gwynne]] were also in the show. In the summer between the show's workshop production (April 1973) and full production (November 1973 – January 1974), Meat Loaf appeared in a [[Shakespeare in the Park (New York City)|Shakespeare in the Park]] production of ''[[As You Like It]]'' with [[Raul Julia]] and [[Mary Beth Hurt]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/bf9f8856-a142-7a91-e040-e00a18062ca3 |title=Meat Loaf and Raul Julia in the New York Shakespeare Festival stage production As You Like It |publisher=[[New York Public Library]] |archive-date=August 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808013742/https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/bf9f8856-a142-7a91-e040-e00a18062ca3 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In late 1973, Meat Loaf was cast in the original L.A. Roxy cast of ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]'', playing the parts of both Eddie and Dr. Scott.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/fullcredits |title=The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Full Cast & Crew |website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> The success of the musical led to the filming of ''[[The Rocky Horror Picture Show]]'' in which Meat Loaf played only Eddie while [[Jonathan_Adams_(British_actor)|Jonathan Adams]] was cast as Dr. Scott, a decision Meat Loaf said made the movie not as good as the musical.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFqmLvxORzQ#t=1m38s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/VFqmLvxORzQ |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |title=Meat Loaf on the Rocky Horror Show – Part 1 |via=YouTube |date=November 13, 2007 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

About the same time, Meat Loaf and Steinman started work on ''[[Bat Out of Hell]]''. Meat Loaf convinced [[Epic Records]] to shoot music videos for four songs, "[[Bat Out of Hell (song)|Bat Out of Hell]]", "[[Paradise by the Dashboard Light]]", "[[You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth]]", and "[[Two Out of Three Ain't Bad]]" and convinced [[Lou Adler]], the producer of ''Rocky Horror'', to run the "Paradise" video as a trailer to the movie. During his recording of the soundtrack for ''Rocky Horror'', Meat Loaf recorded two more songs: "[[Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)|Stand by Me]]" (a [[Ben E. King]] cover), and "Clap Your Hands." They remained unreleased for a decade, until 1984, when they appeared as B-sides to the "[[Nowhere Fast (Fire Inc. song)|Nowhere Fast]]" single.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-best-covers-of-ben-e-kings-stand-by-me-172351/meat-loaf-158383/ |title=20 Best Covers of Ben E. King's 'Stand by Me' |first1=Stephen Thomas |last1=Erlewine |first2=Nick |last2=Murray |first3=Brittany |last3=Spanos |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=May 2, 2015}}</ref>

In 1976, Meat Loaf recorded lead vocals for [[Ted Nugent]]'s album ''[[Free-for-All (Ted Nugent album)|Free-for-All]]'' when regular Nugent lead vocalist [[Derek St. Holmes]] temporarily quit the band. Meat Loaf sang lead on five of the album's nine tracks. That same year, Meat Loaf appeared in his final theatrical show in New York City, the short-lived Broadway production of [[Gower Champion]]'s rock musical ''[[Rockabye Hamlet]]''.<ref name=cult>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/22/arts/music/meat-loaf-paradise-by-the-dashboard-light.html |title=How Meat Loaf Made a Cult Favorite: 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' |first=Jeremy |last=Gordon |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 22, 2022 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124015336/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/22/arts/music/meat-loaf-paradise-by-the-dashboard-light.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/meat-loaf-dead-bat-out-of-hell-rocky-horror-picture-show-1234917056/ |title=Meat Loaf Dies: 'Bat Out Of Hell' Singer & 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' Actor Was 74 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=January 20, 2022 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121080806/https://deadline.com/2022/01/meat-loaf-dead-bat-out-of-hell-rocky-horror-picture-show-1234917056/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/Rockabye-Hamlet-6928/cast |title=Rockabye Hamlet Original Broadway Cast 1976 &#124; Broadway World |work=[[BroadwayWorld]] |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121232110/https://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/Rockabye-Hamlet-6928/cast |url-status=live}}</ref> It closed two weeks into its initial run.<ref>"Come From Away heading to Broadway: Canadian musical to play in Washington and Toronto on its way to New York" by J. Kelly Nestruck, ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' (16 Feb, 2016) Retrieved from {{ProQuest|1765219674}}</ref>

[[File:WMMS Meat Loaf concert - 1978 print ad.jpg|thumb|left|A printed ad for a Meat Loaf concert in 1978]]
Meat Loaf and Steinman started working on ''Bat Out of Hell'' in 1972, but did not get serious about it until the end of 1974. Meat Loaf then decided to leave theater and concentrate exclusively on music.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/21/us-singer-meat-loaf-famous-bat-out-of-hell-hit-dead-at-74 |title=US Singer Meat Loaf, famous for Bat Out of Hell hit, dead at 74 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121232113/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/21/us-singer-meat-loaf-famous-bat-out-of-hell-hit-dead-at-74 |url-status=live}}</ref> Meat Loaf was cast as an understudy for [[John Belushi]] in ''[[The National Lampoon Show]]''.<ref name=cult/> It was at the ''Lampoon'' show that Meat Loaf met [[Ellen Foley]], the co-star who sang "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "Bat Out of Hell" with him on the album ''Bat Out of Hell''.<ref name=cult/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/ellen-foley-meat-loaf-paradise-by-dashboard-light-interview-1235160709/ |title=Ellen Foley, Meat Loaf's 'Paradise by the Dashboard Light' Sparring Partner, on the Making of Rock's Greatest Duet |first=Chris |last=Willman |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=January 22, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123192956/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/ellen-foley-meat-loaf-paradise-by-dashboard-light-interview-1235160709/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Meat Loaf and Steinman spent time seeking a record deal; however, their approaches were rejected by each record company, because their songs did not fit any specific recognized [[music industry]] style.<ref name=cult/> [[Todd Rundgren]], under the impression that they already had a record deal, agreed to produce the album as well as play lead guitar along with other members of Rundgren's band [[Utopia (American band)|Utopia]] and [[Max Weinberg]].<ref name=cult/><ref name=Spoofing>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/todd-rundgren-meat-loaf-bat-out-of-hell-bruce-springsteen-8006795/ |title=Todd Rundgren Talks Spoofing Bruce Springsteen and Seeing Meat Loaf Propose With a Salmon While Producing 'Bat Out of Hell' |first=Bonnie |last=Stiernberg |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=October 20, 2017 |archive-date=October 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029192042/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8006795/todd-rundgren-meat-loaf-bat-out-of-hell-bruce-springsteen |url-status=live}}</ref> They then shopped the record around, but they still had no takers until [[Steve Popovich]]'s [[Cleveland International Records]] took a chance, releasing ''Bat Out of Hell'' in October 1977.<ref name=cult/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/who-wrote-bat-out-hell-22826258 |title=Who wrote Bat Out of Hell and when was it released? The story behind Meat Loaf's career-defining hit |work=[[Birmingham Mail]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121232101/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/who-wrote-bat-out-hell-22826258 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Meat Loaf and Steinman formed the band [[Neverland Express]] to tour in support of ''Bat Out of Hell''. Their first gig was opening for [[Cheap Trick]] in Chicago. Meat Loaf gained national exposure as the musical guest on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on March 25, 1978. Host [[Christopher Lee]] introduced him with a groan-worthy joke.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |title=Meat Loaf Remembers Jim Steinman: 'He Was the Centerpiece of My Life' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-remembers-jim-steinman-1160041/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=April 23, 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121081556/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-remembers-jim-steinman-1160041/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1978, Meat Loaf jumped off a stage in [[Ottawa]], Ontario, breaking his leg. He finished his tour performing in a [[wheelchair]].<ref>{{cite news |last=MacPherson |first=Les |date=August 3, 2009 |title=Many great rock stars known to fall off stages |page=A3 |newspaper=[[Star-Phoenix]] |location=[[Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93414200/meat-loaf-fell-off-stage/ |id={{ProQuest|348940253}}}}</ref>

''Bat Out of Hell'' has sold an estimated 43 million copies globally, including 15&nbsp;million in the United States, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. In the United Kingdom alone, its 2.1&nbsp;million sales put it in 38th place. Despite peaking at No. 9 and spending only two weeks in the top ten in 1981, it has now spent 485 weeks on the [[UK Albums Chart]] (May 2015), a figure bettered only by ''[[Rumours (album)|Rumours]]'' by [[Fleetwood Mac]] with 487 weeks.<ref>{{cite news |title=Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04xdrrb |agency=[[BBC News]] |date=July 15, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016014323/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04xdrrb |url-status=live}}</ref> In Australia, it knocked the [[Bee Gees]] off the No. 1 spot and became the biggest-selling album of all time in that country. ''Bat Out of Hell'' has, as of December 2020, spent a total of 522 weeks in the Top 200 in the UK chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/bat-out-of-hell/ |title=Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf |work=[[Official Charts Company]] |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228214624/http://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/bat-out-of-hell/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

===1980s===
In 1979, Steinman started to work on ''[[Bad for Good]]'', the intended follow-up to 1977's ''Bat Out of Hell''. During that time, a combination of touring, drugs and exhaustion had caused Meat Loaf to lose his voice. Without a singer, and pressured by the record company, Steinman decided that he should sing on ''Bad for Good'' himself. While Steinman worked on Bad for Good, Meat Loaf played the role of Travis Redfish in the movie ''[[Roadie (1980 film)|Roadie]]'' until his singing voice returned.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Giles |first=Jeff |date=June 14, 2013 |title=40 Years Ago: Meat Loaf Leads an All-Star Cast in 'Roadie' |work=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-roadie/}}</ref> Steinman then wrote a new album for Meat Loaf, ''[[Dead Ringer (album)|Dead Ringer]]'', which was released in September 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-dead-ringer/ |title=When Meat Loaf Finally Released a Follow-Up to 'Bat Out of Hell' |work=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |first=Jeff |last=Giles |date=September 4, 2016}}</ref> Steinman had written five new songs which, in addition to the track "More Than You Deserve" (sung by Meat Loaf in the stage musical of the same name) and a reworked monologue, formed the album ''Dead Ringer'', which was produced by Meat Loaf and [[Stephan Galfas]], with backing tracks produced by [[Todd Rundgren]], [[Jimmy Iovine]], and Steinman. In 1976, Meat Loaf appeared on the track "Keeper Keep Us", from the [[Intergalactic Touring Band]]'s self-titled album, produced by Galfas. The song "[[Dead Ringer for Love]]" was the pinnacle of the album, and launched Meat Loaf to even greater success. While it failed to chart in the US, it reached No. 5 in the United Kingdom and stayed in the UK Singles Chart for 19 weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/dead%20ringer%20for%20love/ |title=Dead Ringer For Love |work=[[Officialcharts.com]]}}</ref> [[Cher]] provided the lead female vocals in the song.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.insider.com/meat-loaf-cher-pays-tribute-singer-death-aged-74-2022-1 |title=Cher, who sang a hit duet with Meat Loaf, pays tribute to 'amazing' singer after his death aged 74 |first=Sinéad |last=Baker |work=[[Insider.com]] |date=January 21, 2022}}</ref>

On December 5, 1981, Meat Loaf and the Neverland Express were the musical guests for ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' where he and former fellow ''Rocky Horror Picture Show'' actor [[Tim Curry]] performed a skit depicting a One-Stop Rocky Horror Shop. Also on the show, Curry performed "The Zucchini Song" and Meat Loaf & the Neverland Express performed "Bat Out of Hell" and "Promised Land."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vh1.com/news/jbqrdd/rocky-horror-facts |title=Rocky Horror Turns 40: Time Warp to 40 Facts About the Cult Classic |last=McPadden |first=Mike |work=[[VH1]] |date=August 15, 2015 |archive-date=January 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126061131/http://www.vh1.com/news/49706/rocky-horror-facts/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/saturday-night-live/season-7/episode-7-tim-currymeat-loaf-the-neverland-express |title=Tim Curry/Meat Loaf & The Neverland Express Saturday Night Live: Season 7: Episode 7 |work=[[Metacritic]] |date=December 5, 1981 |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124150829/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/saturday-night-live/season-7/episode-7-tim-currymeat-loaf-the-neverland-express |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyeyqSFdMhg |title=Rocky Horror Shop |work=[[Saturday Night Live]] |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Following a dispute with his former songwriter Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf was contractually obliged to release a new album, resulting in ''[[Midnight at the Lost and Found]]'', released in May 1983.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/meat-loaf-bat-out-of-hell-jim-steinman-two-out-of-three-aint-bad-rocky-horror-picture-show-11642805045 |title=Meat Loaf: An Artist With an Abundant Slice of Life |first=Dominic |last=Green |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=January 21, 2022}}</ref> According to Meat Loaf, Steinman had given the songs "[[Total Eclipse of the Heart]]" and "[[Making Love Out of Nothing at All]]" to Meat Loaf for this album. However, Meat Loaf's record company did not want Meat Loaf to sing Steinman's songs, saying that nobody wanted to hear them. [[Bonnie Tyler]]'s version of "Eclipse" and [[Air Supply]]'s version of "Making Love" topped the charts together, holding No. 1 and No. 2 for a period during 1983.<ref name="almost">{{Cite news |last=ZARRELLI |first=NATALIE |date=August 16, 2017 |title='Total Eclipse of the Heart' Was Almost a Meat Loaf Song |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/meatloaf-total-eclipse-of-the-heart |work=[[Atlas Obscura]]}}</ref> Meat Loaf is credited with having been involved in the writing of some of the tracks on the album, including the title track, "Midnight at the Lost and Found."<ref>{{cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |title=How Meat Loaf Crashed on 'Midnight at the Lost and Found' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-midnight-at-the-lost-and-found/ |work=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |date=May 30, 2014 |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204003145/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-midnight-at-the-lost-and-found/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Poor [[money management]] as well as 45 lawsuits totaling US$80 million, including ones from Steinman, resulted in Meat Loaf filing for [[personal bankruptcy]] in 1983.<ref name=biography/> The bankruptcy resulted in Meat Loaf losing the rights to his songs,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-09-fi-34064-story.html |title=Company Town : Meat Loaf's Beef Is Lack of Royalties |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=February 9, 1996 |url-access=limited}}</ref> although he received royalties for ''Bat Out of Hell'' in 1997.<ref name=batman>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/dec/07/features.magazine67 |title=Bat man |first=Lynn |last=Barber |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=December 7, 2003}}</ref>

In 1984, Meat Loaf went to England, where he felt increasingly at home, to record the album ''[[Bad Attitude (album)|Bad Attitude]]''; it was released that year.<ref name=bbcobit/> It features two songs by Steinman, both previously recorded, "[[Nowhere Fast (Fire Inc. song)|Nowhere Fast]]" and "Surf's Up." The American release on RCA Records was in April 1985 and features a slightly different track list, as well as alternate mixes for some songs. The title track features a duet with [[the Who]]'s lead singer [[Roger Daltrey]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3279603-Meat-Loaf-Bad-Attitude |title=Meat Loaf – Bad Attitude |date=December 20, 1984 |publisher=[[Discogs]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/meat-loaf-bad-attitude-blind-before-i-stop |title=Meat Loaf: Bad Attitude & Blind Before I Stop |first=Mark |last=Beaumont |work=[[Loudersound.com]] |date=August 25, 2014}}</ref> It was a minor success with a few commercially successful singles, the most successful being "[[Modern Girl (Meat Loaf song)|Modern Girl]]".<ref name=bbcobit/> In 1985, Meat Loaf took part in some comedy sketches in the UK with [[Hugh Laurie]].<ref name=sagoml/><ref name=snapesobit>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/21/meat-loaf-bat-out-of-hell-singer-dead-at-74 |title=Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell singer dead at 74 |first=Laura |last=Snapes |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124065237/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/21/meat-loaf-bat-out-of-hell-singer-dead-at-74 |url-status=live}}</ref> Meat Loaf also tried stand-up comedy, appearing several times in [[Connecticut]].<ref name=sagoml/>

Meat Loaf worked with songwriter [[John Parr]] on his next album, ''[[Blind Before I Stop]]'', which was released in 1986 by [[Arista Records]]. It features production, mixing, and general influence by [[Frank Farian]]. Meat Loaf was involved in the composition of three of the songs on the album.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/blind-before-i-stop-mw0000190872 |title=Blind Before I Stop Review by William Ruhlmann |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Meat Loaf performed "Thrashin" for the soundtrack of the 1986 skateboarding film ''[[Thrashin' (film)|Thrashin']]'' (directed by [[David Winters (choreographer)|David Winters]] and starring [[Josh Brolin]]).

===1990s===
Following the success of Meat Loaf's touring in the 1980s, he and Steinman began work during December 1990 on ''[[Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell]]''; the album was released in September 1993. The immediate success of ''Bat Out of Hell II'' led to the sale of over 15 million copies, and the single "[[I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)]]" reached number one in 28 countries. In March 1994, at the [[36th Annual Grammy Awards]], Meat Loaf won the [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo]] for "I'd Do Anything for Love."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://people.com/music/meat-loaf-life-in-photos/ |title=Meat Loaf's Life in Photos |first=Kate |last=Hogan |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=January 21, 2022}}</ref> This song stayed at No. 1 in the UK chart for seven consecutive weeks. The single featured a female vocalist who was credited only as "Mrs. Loud". She was later identified as [[Lorraine Crosby]], a performer from England.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1554633/meat-load-mrs-loud-id-do-anything-for-love-singer |title='Naughty' Meat Loaf recruited Mrs Loud for iconic song – but she didn't get paid |first=Callum |last=Crumlish |work=[[Daily Express]] |date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123202426/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1554633/meat-load-mrs-loud-id-do-anything-for-love-singer |url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=tabloid|date=February 2026}} Meat Loaf promoted the song with American vocalist [[Patti Russo]], who performed lead female vocals on tour with him. Also in 1994, he sang the U.S. national anthem "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]" at the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vHwPmKmwH4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/_vHwPmKmwH4 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |title=Meat Loaf: The US National Anthem (Star Spangled Banner) |via=YouTube |date=August 11, 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He released the single "[[Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through]]", which reached No. 13 in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/meat-loaf/rock-and-roll-dreams-come-through |title=Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through by Meat Loaf |publisher=[[Songfacts]] |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123222430/https://www.songfacts.com/facts/meat-loaf/rock-and-roll-dreams-come-through |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1995, Meat Loaf released his seventh studio album, ''[[Welcome to the Neighbourhood (Meat Loaf album)|Welcome to the Neighborhood]]''. The album went [[platinum record|platinum]] in the United States and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meat Loaf albums ranked from worst to best |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/meat-loaf-albums-ranked-from-worst-to-best |website=[[Loudersound.com]] |date=September 12, 2016 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |archive-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331180643/https://www.loudersound.com/features/meat-loaf-albums-ranked-from-worst-to-best |url-status=live}}</ref> It included three singles that hit the top 40, including "[[I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)]]" (which reached No. 13 in the United States<ref>{{cite web |title=Meat Loaf I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/meat-loaf/chart-history/hsi/ |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117154140/https://www.billboard.com/artist/meat-loaf/chart-history/hsi/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and No. 2 in the UK),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/i%27d-lie-for-you-(and-that%27s-the-truth)/ |title=i'd lie for you (and that's the truth) &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company |website=[[Officialcharts.com]] |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415082311/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/i%27d-lie-for-you-%28and-that%27s-the-truth%29/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and "[[Not a Dry Eye in the House]]" (which reached No. 7 in the UK chart).<ref name=meatloafcharts>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20647/meat-loaf/ |title=Meat Loaf |website=[[Officialcharts.com]] |date=May 20, 1978 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414022824/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20647/meat-loaf/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)'' was a duet with [[Patti Russo]], who had been touring with Meat Loaf and singing on his albums since 1993. Of the twelve songs on the album, two are written by Steinman. Both are cover versions, the "Original Sin" from [[Pandora's Box (band)|Pandora's Box]]'s ''Original Sin'' album and "Left in the Dark" first appeared on Steinman's own ''Bad for Good'' as well as the 1984 album ''[[Emotion (Barbra Streisand album)|Emotion]]'' by [[Barbra Streisand]]. His other singles, "I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)" and "Not a Dry Eye in the House", were written by [[Diane Warren]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/12657032-Meat-Loaf-Welcome-To-The-Neighborhood |title=Meat Loaf – Welcome To The Neighborhood |date=October 28, 1996 |publisher=[[Discogs]]}}</ref>

In 1998, Meat Loaf released ''[[The Very Best of Meat Loaf]]''. The album featured three new songs co-written by Steinman – two with [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] and one with [[Don Black (lyricist)|Don Black]], "[[Is Nothing Sacred]]", released as a single.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/742205-Meat-Loaf-The-Very-Best-Of-Meat-Loaf |title=Meat Loaf – The Very Best Of Meat Loaf |date=November 24, 1998 |publisher=[[Discogs]]}}</ref> The single version of this song is a duet with Patti Russo, whereas the album version is a solo song by Meat Loaf.

===2000s===
[[File:Meat Loaf in performance (New York, 2004).jpg|thumb|upright|Meat Loaf performing in New York in 2004]]
In 2003, Meat Loaf released his album ''[[Couldn't Have Said It Better]]''. For only the third time in his career, Meat Loaf released an album without any songs written by Steinman (not counting live bonus tracks on special edition releases). Although Meat Loaf claimed that ''Couldn't Have Said It Better'' was "the most perfect album [he] did since ''Bat Out of Hell''", it was not as commercially successful.{{sfn|Wall|2008|pp=250–252}} The album was a minor commercial success worldwide and reached No. 4 on the [[UK Albums Chart]],<ref name=meatloafcharts/> accompanied by a sellout world tour to promote the album and some of Meat Loaf's best selling singles. One such performance on his world tour was at the [[2003 NRL Grand Final]] in [[Sydney]].<ref>{{cite news |first1=Alex |last1=Brown |first2=Malcolm |last2=Brown |first3=Jacqueline |last3=Maley |title=Fairytale of the year: Panthers pluck Roosters |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/fairytale-of-the-year-panthers-pluck-roosters-20031006-gdhj92.html |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=October 6, 2003 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108182005/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/05/1065292479504.html |url-status=live}}</ref> There were many writers for the album including [[Diane Warren]] and [[James Michael]], who were both asked to contribute to his 2006 album, ''[[Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose]]''. The album featured duets with Patti Russo and Meat Loaf's daughter [[Pearl Aday]].

On November 17, 2003, during a performance at London's [[Wembley Arena]], on his ''Couldn't Have Said It Better'' tour, he collapsed of what was later diagnosed as [[Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome]], a condition marked by an extra electrical pathway in the heart which causes symptoms like a rapid heartbeat. The following week, he underwent a surgical procedure intended to correct the problem.<ref>{{cite news |title=Meat Loaf recalls stage collapse |work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3247268.stm |date=November 28, 2003 |archive-date=January 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111174249/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3247268.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, Meat Loaf's insurance agency did not allow him to perform for any longer than one hour and 45 minutes.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/jun/25/popandrock.patrickbarkham |title='What else am I going to do? Run a hotdog stand?' |first=Patrick |last=Barkham |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 25, 2008}}</ref>

From February 20 to 22, 2004, during an Australian tour, Meat Loaf performed with the [[Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]], in a set of concerts recorded for the album ''[[Bat Out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra]]''. The performances included the [[Australian Boys' Choir]] singing back-up on a ''Couldn't Have Said It Better'' track, "Testify."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-and-tv/meat-loaf---bat-out-1125582 |title=Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (E) |work=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=February 19, 2007}}</ref>

Meat Loaf and Steinman had begun to work on the third installment of ''Bat Out of Hell'' when Steinman suffered a heart attack. According to Meat Loaf, Steinman was too ill to work on such an intense project while Steinman's manager said health was not an issue.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-jim-steinman-bat-out-of-hell-iii-its-all-coming-back-to-me-now-1161732/ |title=Flashback: Meat Loaf Tackles 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now' on 'Bat Out of Hell III' |first=ANDY |last=GREENE |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=April 27, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122120144/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-jim-steinman-bat-out-of-hell-iii-its-all-coming-back-to-me-now-1161732/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Steinman had registered the phrase "Bat Out of Hell" as a trademark in 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-sues-over-bat-out-of-hell-58228/ |title=Meat Loaf Sues Over 'Bat Out Of Hell' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=June 5, 2006 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123204412/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/meat-loaf-sues-over-bat-out-of-hell-58228/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2006, Meat Loaf sued Steinman and his manager in federal District Court in Los Angeles, seeking $50&nbsp;million and an injunction against Steinman's use of the phrase.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.contactmusic.com/meat-loaf/news/meat-loaf-battles-for-bat-out-of-hell-trademark_06_06_2006 |title=Meat Loaf Battles For Bat Out Of Hell Trademark |date=June 6, 2006 |work=[[Contactmusic.com]] |archive-date=January 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114020539/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/meat%20loaf%20battles%20for%20bat%20out%20of%20hell%20trademark_06_06_2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> Steinman and his representatives attempted to block the album's release. An agreement was reached in July 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/news/meat-loaf-resolves-bat-out-hell-suit-wbna14126174 |title=Meat Loaf resolves 'Bat out of Hell' suit |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=July 31, 2006 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123232316/https://www.today.com/news/meat-loaf-resolves-bat-out-hell-suit-wbna14126174 |url-status=live}}</ref> Denying reports in the press over the years of a rift between Meat Loaf and Steinman, in an interview with [[Dan Rather]], Meat Loaf stated that he and Steinman never stopped talking, and that the lawsuits reported in the press were between lawyers and managers, and not between Meat Loaf and Steinman.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.axs.tv/channel/the-big-interview-with-dan-rather-season-4/video/meat-loaf/ |title="The Big Interview" with Dan Rather |work=[[AXS TV]] |date=September 20, 2016}}</ref>

The album ''[[Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose]]'' was released on October 31, 2006, and was produced by [[Desmond Child]]. The first single from the album "[[It's All Coming Back to Me Now]]" (featuring [[Marion Raven]]) was released on October 16, 2006. It entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 6,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20061022/7501/ |title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 |work=[[OfficialCharts.com]] |date=August 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831003915/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20061022/7501/ |archive-date=August 31, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> giving Meat Loaf his highest UK chart position in nearly 11 years. The album debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200,<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2006-11-18/ |title=Top 200 Albums |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407103751/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2006-11-18 |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> and sold 81,000 copies in its opening week,<ref>{{cite news |title="Montana" soundtrack, Manilow lead U.S. charts |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sales/montana-soundtrack-manilow-lead-u-s-charts-idUSN0826676020061108 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=November 8, 2006 |archive-date=February 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204005054/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sales/montana-soundtrack-manilow-lead-u-s-charts-idUSN0826676020061108 |url-status=live}}</ref> but after that did not sell as well in the United States and yielded no hit singles, although it was certified gold.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Meat+Loaf&ti=Bat+Out+of+Hell+III&format=Album&type=#search_section |website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121232059/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Meat+Loaf&ti=Bat+Out+of+Hell+III&format=Album&type=#search_section |url-status=live}}</ref> The album also featured duets with [[Patti Russo]] and [[Jennifer Hudson]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/another-helping-of-meat-loaf/article_de0e68fb-47d1-5f64-881d-cf1b861ab89b.html |title=Another helping of Meat Loaf |first=SHANNON |last=GAWEL |work=[[Buffalo News]] |date=November 8, 2006 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123204410/https://buffalonews.com/news/another-helping-of-meat-loaf/article_de0e68fb-47d1-5f64-881d-cf1b861ab89b.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In the weeks following the release of ''Bat III'', Meat Loaf and the [[Neverland Express]] did a brief tour of the U.S. and Europe, known as the Bases are Loaded Tour. In October 2006, Meat Loaf's private jet had to make an emergency landing at [[London Stansted Airport]] after the plane's forward landing gear failed.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/meat-loafs-many-brushes-death-26010124 |title=Meat Loaf's many brushes with death – car crashes, hit by shot put and scary collapse |first=Verity |last=Sulway |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123204411/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/meat-loafs-many-brushes-death-26010124 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1553684/meat-loaf-dead-health-marvin-lee-aday-bat-out-of-hell-rock-spt |title='I am not dying' Meat Loaf's furious response to health claims: 'Sick of talking about it' |first=JOEL |last=DAY |work=[[Daily Express]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123232323/https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1553684/meat-loaf-dead-health-marvin-lee-aday-bat-out-of-hell-rock-spt |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, Meat Loaf began [[The Seize the Night Tour]], with [[Marion Raven]], serving as a supporting act. Portions of the tour in February 2007 were featured in the documentary ''[[Meat Loaf: In Search of Paradise]]'', directed by [[Bruce David Klein]]. The film was an official selection of the [[Montreal World Film Festival]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Doug |title=Meat Loaf has found the way to 'Paradise' |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/meat-loaf-has-found-way-paradise-wbna24002285 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=April 8, 2008 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930005216/https://www.today.com/popculture/meat-loaf-has-found-way-paradise-wbna24002285 |url-status=live}}</ref> It opened in theaters in March 2008<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/movies/12para.html |title=That Dashboard Light Now Casts Its Glow on Nostalgia |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Matt Zoller |last=Seitz |author-link=Matt Zoller Seitz |date=March 12, 2008 |url-access=limited |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123232134/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/movies/12para.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and was released on DVD in May 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meat Loaf: In Search of Paradise DVD |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Meat-Loaf-In-Search-of-Paradise-DVD/121873/ |website=Blu-Ray.com |access-date=October 20, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Meat Loaf Birmingham NEC 2007.jpg|left|thumb|Meat Loaf performing at Birmingham's NEC arena in 2007]]
During a performance at the [[Metro Radio Arena]] in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England, on October 31, 2007, at the opening of "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" Meat Loaf walked off the stage early in the song and said that it was his last performance. His tour promoter, Andrew Miller, said that it was a result of "[[fatigue|exhaustion]] and [[Stress (biology)|stress]]" and said that Meat Loaf would continue touring after suitable rest.<ref>{{cite news |title='Stressed' Meat Loaf abandons gig |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7072828.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=November 1, 2007 |archive-date=January 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115084622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7072828.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> The next two gigs in the tour, at the [[National Exhibition Centre|NEC]] and [[Manchester Evening News Arena]] were canceled because of "acute [[laryngitis]]" and were rescheduled for late November.<ref>{{cite news |title=Meat Loaf calls off another show |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7077734.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=November 4, 2007 |archive-date=January 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115111915/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7077734.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> The concert scheduled for November 6, 2007, at London's [[Wembley Arena]] was also canceled. Meat Loaf canceled his entire European tour for 2007 after being diagnosed with a [[cyst]] on his vocal cords.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ill Meat Loaf scraps Europe tour |date=November 6, 2007 |work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7080957.stm |archive-date=November 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108211705/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7080957.stm |url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 27, 2008, Meat Loaf began [[The Casa de Carne Tour]] in [[Plymouth]], England alongside his longtime duet partner Patti Russo, who debuted one of her own original songs during the show.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/meat-loaf/2008/home-park-plymouth-england-33d478bd.html |title=Meat Loaf Setlist |publisher=Setlist.fm |archive-date=January 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125074031/https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/meat-loaf/2008/home-park-plymouth-england-33d478bd.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The tour continued through July and August with twenty dates throughout England, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Six U.S. shows were also added for October and December 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/last-night-meat-loaf-at-pompano-beach-amphitheatre-6476689 |title=Last Night: Meat Loaf at Pompano Beach Amphitheatre |first=Jose D. |last=Duran |work=[[Miami New Times]] |date=October 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724070020/http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2008/10/last_night_meat_loaf_at_pompan.php |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2009, Meat Loaf began work on the album ''[[Hang Cool Teddy Bear]]'' in the studio with [[Green Day]]'s ''[[American Idiot]]'' album producer [[Rob Cavallo]], working with such writers as [[Justin Hawkins]], Rick Brantley, [[Ollie Wride]], [[Tommy Henriksen]], and [[Jon Bon Jovi]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126613263 |title=Meat Loaf Starts Over With 'Hang Cool Teddy Bear' |work=[[NPR]] |date=May 7, 2010 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123235332/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126613263 |url-status=live}}</ref> The album is based on the story of a fictional soldier, whose "story" furnishes the theme.<ref name=coolteddy>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/15/meat-loaf-cd-review |title=Meat Loaf: Hang Cool, Teddy Bear |first=Caroline |last=Sullivan |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=April 15, 2010 |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201231241/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/15/meat-loaf-cd-review |url-status=live}}</ref> The album is based on a short story by the Los Angeles-based screenwriter and director Kilian Kerwin, a long-time friend of the singer. [[Hugh Laurie]] and [[Jack Black]] both perform on the album, Laurie plays piano on the song "If I Can't Have You", while Black sings a duet with Meat Loaf on "Like A Rose". Patti Russo and Kara DioGuardi also duet on the album. [[Brian May]] of [[Queen (band)|Queen]] features on guitar along with [[Steve Vai]]. It received positive reviews from critics and fans alike.<ref name=coolteddy/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/meat-loaf-hang-cool-teddy-bear-t7snn3650rg |location=London |work=[[The Times]] |title=Meat Loaf Hang Cool Teddy Bear |date=April 17, 2010 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615081431/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article7096419.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="independent">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-meat-loaf-hang-cool-teddy-bear-mercury-1946190.html |location=London |work=The Independent |title=Album: Meat Loaf, Hang Cool Teddy Bear (Mercury) |first=Andy |last=Gill |date=April 16, 2010 |archive-date=August 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806070718/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-meat-loaf-hang-cool-teddy-bear-mercury-1946190.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The first single from the album, "Los Angeloser", was released for download on April 5 with the album charting at number 4 in the UK Albums Chart on April 25, 2010.<ref name=meatloafcharts/> The Hang Cool Tour followed in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Patti Russo accompanied him on the tour, continuing through mid-2011.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/216865/Gig-review-Meatloaf-at-Wembley-Arena |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905011028/http://www.express.co.uk/printer/view/216865/ |title=Gig review: Meatloaf at Wembley Arena |first=Lisa |last=Clark |work=[[Daily Express]] |date=December 12, 2010 |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===2010s===
[[File:Meat_Loaf Photo Op GalaxyCon Raleigh 2019 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Meat Loaf in 2019]]
''[[Hell in a Handbasket]]'', released in October 2011 for Australia and New Zealand, and February 2012 for the rest of the world, was recorded and produced by [[Paul Crook]]; Doug McKean did the mix with input from [[Rob Cavallo]]. The album features songs called "All of Me", "Blue Sky", "The Giving Tree", "Mad, Mad World", and a duet with Patti Russo called "Our Love and Our Souls."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/meat-loaf-new-album |title=Meat Loaf: New Album |work=[[JamBase]] |date=January 17, 2012 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123225823/https://www.jambase.com/article/meat-loaf-new-album |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-announces-hell-in-a-handbasket-tracklist-art-and-release-date/ |title=Meat Loaf Announces 'Hell in a Handbasket' Tracklist, Art and Release Date |first=Jessica |last=Sager |work=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |date=January 17, 2012 |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124013950/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-announces-hell-in-a-handbasket-tracklist-art-and-release-date/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://consequence.net/2012/01/meat-loaf-announces-u-s-release-of-hell-in-a-handbasket/ |title=Meat Loaf announces U.S. release of Hell in a Handbasket |first=Bryant |last=Kitching |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |date=January 19, 2012}}</ref>

At the [[2011 AFL Grand Final]], the pre-match entertainment was headlined by a 12-minute medley performed by Meat Loaf. The performance was panned as the worst in the 34-year history of AFL Grand Final pre-game entertainment in a multitude of online reviews by football fans and Australian sport commentators.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/herald-sun/20111004/287938903975597 |title=Meat Loaf baked as AFL's worst |first=Cameron |last=Adams |work=[[Herald Sun]] |via=[[PressReader]] |date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010115751/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/afl-defends-meat-loaf-after-widely-criticised-pre-game-show/story-e6frf9hf-1226157581482 |archive-date=October 10, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/looking-just-like-meat-loaf-only-older-20111001-1l32p.html |title=Looking just like Meat Loaf, only older |author=Leaping Larry |work=[[The Age]] |date=October 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003125213/http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/looking-just-like-meat-loaf-only-older-20111001-1l32p.html |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Meat Loaf responded by calling online critics "butt-smellers",<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/meat-loaf-blasts-the-afl-and-butt-smellers/news-story/e524d6e6c6af28d0e18035d1f06ba8ee |title=Meat Loaf blasts the AFL and 'butt smellers' |first=Linda |last=Parri |work=[[Herald Sun]] |date=October 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623085953/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/meat-loaf-blasts-the-afl-and-butt-smellers/story-e6frf96f-1226173943498 |archive-date=June 23, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> and the AFL "jerks", vowing to convince other artists not to play at the event.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/sunday-herald-sun/20111023/281642481942994 |title=Loaf blasts the AFL |last=Parri |first=Linda |via=[[PressReader]] |work=[[Herald Sun]] |date=October 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Parri |first=Linda |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/no-butts-about-it-meat-loaf-goes-off-ng-bf63b2efb9d6b6c23c18326a02c6d58a |title=No butts about it, Meat Loaf goes off |work=[[The Sunday Times (Western Australia)|The Sunday Times]] |date=October 22, 2011 |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129223806/http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/no-butts-about-it-meat-loaf-goes-off/story-e6frg30c-1226173920740 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011, Meat Loaf planned to release a Christmas album called ''Hot Holidays'' featuring [[Garth Brooks]] and [[Reba McEntire]], but the album was never released.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-readies-three-new-albums-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary/ |title=Meat Loaf Readies Three New Albums to Celebrate 40th Anniversary |work=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |date=August 9, 2011 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123223058/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/meat-loaf-readies-three-new-albums-to-celebrate-40th-anniversary/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Meat Loaf collapsed on stage while performing in Edmonton, Canada on June 16, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/meatloaf-medical-emergency-edmonton-show-1.3639880|title=Meat Loaf collapses onstage in Edmonton|publisher=CBC.ca|access-date=2025-12-01}}</ref>

In September 2016, ''[[Braver Than We Are]]'', a 10-track album created with Jim Steinman, was released. Meat Loaf recorded reworked versions of Steinman's songs "Braver Than We Are", "Speaking in Tongues", "Who Needs the Young", and "[[More (The Sisters of Mercy song)|More]]" (previously recorded by [[the Sisters of Mercy]]) for the album. Additionally, the song "Prize Fight Lover", originally issued as a download-only bonus track for ''Hang Cool Teddy Bear'', was re-recorded for the album.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meat-loaf-readying-the-release-of-new-album-braver-than-we-are-in-collaboration-with-jim-steinman-out-september-16-on-429-records-300288681.html |title=Meat Loaf Readying The Release Of New Album "Braver Than We Are" In Collaboration With Jim Steinman Out September 16 On 429 Records |publisher=[[PR Newswire]] |date=June 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |user=RealMeatLoaf |number=700552096916045824 |title=The album is finished . It will be out Sept 9th Europe . Sept 16th North America. There will be in stores}}</ref>

===Later projects and Jim Steinman's death===
In January 2020, during an interview for ''The Mirror'', Meat Loaf announced, "I'm not old. I've got songs for another record and I'm reading a script."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/meat-loaf-went-veggie-11-21197857.amp |title=Meat Loaf went veggie for 11 years after he was served rabbit with its head on |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=January 1, 2020 |archive-date=January 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102030845/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/meat-loaf-went-veggie-11-21197857.amp |url-status=live |first=Siobhan |last=McNally}}</ref> In a February 2020 Facebook post, Meat Loaf announced his intention to record a new album containing 'four or five new tracks', including Steinman's "What Part of My Body Hurts the Most" (a song long requested by fans, but previously under contract restrictions for the ''Bat Out of Hell'' musical), along with the original 1975 demo recordings made for the ''Bat Out of Hell'' album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/237666687645/posts/10159335832492646/ |title=Sorry, I haven't been posting, there is a reason but I don't want to go into that subject right now. Now a |author=Meat Loaf |via=Facebook |date=February 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220110160806/https://www.facebook.com/237666687645/posts/10159335832492646 |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Meat Loaf's longtime collaborator Jim Steinman died on April 19, 2021, of kidney failure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/04/20/meat-loaf-songwriter-jim-steinman-dies-73/7303789002/ |title='Bat Out of Hell' songwriter and producer Jim Steinman dies at 73 |first=Elise |last=Brisco |work=[[USA Today]] |date=April 20, 2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121141936/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/04/20/meat-loaf-songwriter-jim-steinman-dies-73/7303789002/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In a Facebook post in November 2021, he further elaborated that he and his band would be returning to the studio in January 2022 to record seven new songs for a forthcoming album, which would also include live tracks from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/MeatLoaf/posts/447926723357392 |title=Recording.... Yes Yes Yes!!!! |date=November 22, 2021 |via=Facebook |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121110011/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMeatLoaf%2Fposts%2F447926723357392 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, on January 20, 2022, he died at age 74. At the time of his death, the recording process had not yet begun.<ref name=nytdies/>

===Acting===
In addition to his role in 1975 for ''Rocky Horror Picture Show'', Meat Loaf also had a career as an actor in television and film. 1992 he was a main character in ''[[Leap of Faith (film)|Leap Of Faith]]'' where he played as the band director/bus driver/piano player, He also played a small role as a doorman/bouncer in ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]''. He appeared as the [[Spice Girls]]' bus driver in the 1997 movie ''[[Spice World (film)|Spice World]]'' and as Red in the 1998 thriller/drama film ''[[Black Dog (1998 film)|Black Dog]]'' alongside [[Patrick Swayze]] and [[Randy Travis]]. In [[David Fincher]]'s 1999 film ''[[Fight Club]]'' he played Robert Paulsen, a man who joins a men's self-help group. He also reportedly assisted director [[David Fincher]] with the editing of the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=January 21, 2022 |title=Meat Loaf Helped Edit 'Fight Club' With David Fincher: 'We'd Sit There and Watch 40 Takes' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/meat-loaf-fight-club-david-fincher-edit-1235159604/ |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121153315/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/meat-loaf-fight-club-david-fincher-edit-1235159604/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2000, he played a character in the sixth-season episode "[[Gettysburg (The Outer Limits)|Gettysburg]]" of ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]''. Meat Loaf appears (uncredited) as [[Jack Black]]'s father in the 2006 film ''[[Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burlingame |first1=Russ |title=Jack Black Pays Tribute to Meat Loaf |url=https://comicbook.com/irl/news/jack-black-pays-tribute-to-meat-loaf/ |website=comicbook.com |date=January 25, 2022 |access-date=December 1, 2023}}</ref> providing vocals on the film's opening song "[[Kickapoo (song)|Kickapoo]]."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elijah |first1=Dylan |title=Meat Loaf's Epic Cameo In 'Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny' Is Still The Greatest Thing Ever |url=https://societyofrock.com/meat-loafs-epic-cameo-in-tenacious-d-in-the-pick-of-destiny-is-still-the-greatest-thing-ever/ |website=societyofrock.com |date=July 12, 2017 |publisher=Society Of Rock |access-date=December 1, 2023}}</ref>

In 2009, Meat Loaf acted in ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'' S5 E20 "Simple Explanation", playing Eddie,  a husband who is determined to die in order to donate his liver to his wife.

On October 26, 2010, Meat Loaf (credited as Meat Loaf Aday) appeared on the [[Fox Broadcasting Network|Fox]] television series ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' in "[[The Rocky Horror Glee Show]]", the series' tribute episode to ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/199806/rocky-horror-original-castmembers-to-appear-in-glee-s-tribute-episode |title=Exclusive: ''Rocky Horror'' Original Castmembers to Appear in ''Glee''{{'s}} Tribute Episode |first=Kristin |last=Dos Santos |author-link=Kristin Dos Santos |date=September 10, 2010 |work=[[E! Online]] |archive-date=September 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6Ace3g57X?url=http://www.eonline.com/news/199812/rocky-horror-original-castmembers-to-appear-in-glee-s-tribute-episode |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, he was a contestant in [[The Apprentice (American season 11)|season 11]] of ''[[Celebrity Apprentice]]'', during which he was eliminated after task number 12. In the course of the contest he had a notable dramatic showdown with fellow contestant [[Gary Busey]] which was then televised.<ref name=viral>{{cite news |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/meat-loaf-celebrity-apprentice-viral-feud-gary-busey |title=Meat Loaf once became a bat out of hell in viral 'Celebrity Apprentice' feud with Gary Busey |work=[[Fox Business]] |date=January 21, 2022 |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121232105/https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/meat-loaf-celebrity-apprentice-viral-feud-gary-busey |url-status=live}}</ref>