I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
The song was released in 1993 as the first single from Meat Loaf's album '. The single was certified platinum in the United States and became Meat Loaf's first (and only, as of 2005) Number 1 single on ''Billboards Hot 100 chart.
The single features a female vocalist who was credited only as "Mrs. Loud." "Mrs. Loud" was later identified as Lorraine Crosby [1], a performer from North East England who regularly performs at holiday camps and social clubs.
Some have found the lyrics of the song cryptic and claim that the singer never identifies what the "that" is that he is unwilling to do. [1] [1] Although some people assume that "that" is an exophoric reference to a sex act, it is actually an anaphoric reference to the varying activities specified in the lyric that the singer says he won't do.
- I'll never forget the way you feel right now ...
- I'll never forgive myself if we don't go all the way tonight ...
- I'll never do it better than I do it with you ...
- I'll never stop dreaming of you every night of my life ...
Music video
The music video, based on Beauty and the Beast, was directed by Michael Bay, who also directed "Objects in the Rear View Mirror" and "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" from the same album. It is the abridged seven minute single version, rather than the twelve minute (11:58) album version. The actress in the video is Dana Patrick, who also featured in the video for "I'd Lie For You (And That's the Truth)" from the Welcome to the Neighborhood album. The cinematographer was Daniel Pearl, who had filmed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre in 1973.The video took four days to shoot and it took up to two hours to apply Meat's make-up
Number one
The song reached number one in over twenty contries, the first being Australia on 4 September 1993. It stayed at number one for seven weeks in the UK.Dr Pepper
The song is featured in a 2005 advertising campaign for Dr Pepper in the United States. The ad shows two lovers together. The boyfiend is prepared to buy tampons, go to yogo classes and fold his girlfriend's laundry. The scene is romantic until the female tries to take her boyfriend's Dr Pepper. At this point, the boyfriend walks away. He would do anything for love except give up the Dr Pepper!References
- Meat Loaf with David Dalton (2000) To Hell and Back: An Autobiography. London: Virgin Publishing. ISBN 075350443
- DVD: VH1 Storytellers
- DVD: Meat Loaf Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, including commentary track
- Adweek - Dr Pepper advert
