The Intergenerational Appeal of Meat Loaf

By Five-Inch Taint 

Musicians have the capacity to transcend themselves as individuals and provide connections between different generations. Here’s the rub: they’re still people. SoDak asked me to write a paragraph on Meat Loaf. No doubt, this is due to my awe-inspiring rendition of Bat out of Hell in the car as we traveled to see Iron Maiden in North Carolina a decade ago. As I have sat here over the past few days reflecting on Meat Loaf’s death, I have been tempted to write a scathing missive on the disinformation, anti-intellectualism, and reactionary tendencies of a man who doubted and questioned public health measures. While that is relevant to Michael Lee Aday, the individual, it provides us with scant insight into the larger force that is Meat Loaf.

To me, and I’m sure others of a similar age, Meat Loaf was both a cultural bridge to my parents as well as an icon of my own generation. Bat out of Hell was part of a soundtrack of many road trips driving down I-95. It wasn’t just the joy of belting out the lyrics of “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” with my parents and brother that helped us bond. It was also the cheeky moments of connection as I learned, at probably too early of an age, the metaphor of what rounding the bases meant. As my dad in particular listened to that part of the song, I could see him looking in the rearview mirror to see if I picked up on its hidden meaning. Once I was able to understand what Phil Rizzuto was really talking about on that song that metaphor became an insight into my dad’s sense of humor. By no means the most important connection, this Meat Loaf album was part of a rich tapestry of familial bonding.

Fast forward a few years to my first exposure to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. My mother introduced me to this movie in my early teens. In a film of iconic moments none was more iconic to me than Eddie, a madman, breaking out of his freezer on his motorcycle and busting into the song, “Hot Patootie-Bless My Soul.” The man exuded rock and roll. It took me a few viewings to realize that Eddie was Meat Loaf. The Rocky Horror Picture Show helped me see a twisted-side to my mom, which I have always appreciated.

Meat Loaf wasn’t just of my parent’s generation. Robert “Bob” Paulson, bitch-tits and all, was one of my favorites. In an anonymous mass, he stood out, and his name was Robert Paulson. At this point, Meat Loaf became mine, in a sense, free from any connection with my parents. 

There is something transcendent about Meat Loaf. To me, Meat Loaf is not an anti-vaxxer who most likely succumbed to his network of disinformation. He is a bridge, connecting generations; a cultural thread through the lives of many. 

Hot-Patootie, rest your soul, Meat Loaf.