Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

Last updated
"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"
Two out of Three Aint Bad by Meat Loaf US vinyl.png
Side A of 1978 US 7-inch single
Single by Meat Loaf
from the album Bat Out of Hell
B-side "For Crying Out Loud"
ReleasedMarch 1978 (US) [1]
  • 21 July 1978 (UK) [2]
Genre Soft rock
Length5:27 (LP version)
4:46 (radio edit)
3:58 (7" version)
Label Epic
Songwriter(s) Jim Steinman
Producer(s) Todd Rundgren
Meat Loaf singles chronology
"You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth"
(1977)		"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"
(1978)		"Paradise by the Dashboard Light"
(1978)
Music video
Video on YouTube

"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" is a power ballad [3] performed by the American musician Meat Loaf. It is a track off his 1977 album Bat Out of Hell , written by Jim Steinman. It spent 23 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 11, [4] and earned a million-selling Gold single from the RIAA, [5] eventually being certified platinum. It remains his second-highest charting hit in the US, behind "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" (1993), and stands as one of his career signature tunes.

Contents

Background

It was the final song written for the album. In a 2003 interview for the VH1 Ultimate Albums series, Steinman recalled:

I remember Mimi Kennedy [a cast member of Jim's then-current musical Rhinegold] telling me, she said, you know, when I was probably complaining why no one liked my stuff and couldn't get a deal, she says, 'Well Steiny, your stuff is so complicated. Can't you write something simple?' And while she was saying that the oldies station was on the radio and it was playing that old Elvis song, 'I Want You, I Need,' whatever it was. 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You', you know. I just started singing my own song but it was 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.' She said, 'Why don't you write something simple like that, "I want you, I need you, I love you"?' I said, 'Well I'll try.' I don't try to make them complicated. I remember going home and I tried so hard but the best I could do was: 'I want you, I need you but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you, don't be sad, 'cause two out of three ain't bad'. So it was still a twist but it was my closest to a simple song, and one Elvis could have done. [6]

A music video [7] was shot for the single and received significant airplay on television video programs of the period, four years before MTV's debut.

Two mixes were created for the song. In the album mix, timed around 5:27, one can hear prominent Moog synthesizer embellishments by session keyboardist Roger Powell. The single mix, timed just under 4:00, downmixes the synthesizer considerably, in place of a much warmer and predominant string arrangement by Kenneth Ascher. This mix also edits out and removes the first lyrical bridge of the song which includes the line, "There ain't no Coupe de Ville hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box", and does some overlapping, splicing and editing to seamlessly merge back into the second part of the lyrical bridge, starting with, "I can't lie, I can't tell you that I'm something I'm not". An additional edit in the last verse removes the lines, "And though I know I'll never get her out of my heart, she never loved me back, Ooh I know, well I remember how she left me on a stormy night, oh she kissed me and got out of our bed". Last, a song fade-out beginning in the middle of the ending chorus' second refrain is also featured, hence removing the full-circle lyrics of "Baby we can talk all night, but that ain't getting us nowhere", that both started and ended the song, in its full album-mix version.

The Japanese release changes the title of the song to use a percentage, translating it as "66% is good enough". [8]

Reception

Cash Box said that the "vocals are emotionally rendered" and the "lyric is interesting." [9] Record World called it a "rambling but appealing single." [10]

Charts and certifications

Meat Loaf version

Julian Austin version

Chart (1998)Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [30] 20

Personnel (original Meat Loaf version)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paradise by the Dashboard Light</span> Single by Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley

"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is a song written by Jim Steinman. It was released in 1977 on the album Bat Out of Hell, with vocals by the American musician Meat Loaf alongside Ellen Foley. An uncommonly long song for a single, it has become a staple of classic rock radio and has been described as the "greatest rock duet".

<i>Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell</i> 1993 studio album by Meat Loaf

Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell is the sixth studio album by American rock singer Meat Loaf and the second one in the Bat Out of Hell trilogy, which was written and produced by Jim Steinman. It was released on September 14, 1993, sixteen years after Meat Loaf's first solo album Bat Out of Hell. The album reached number 1 in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Five tracks were released as singles, including "I'd Do Anything for Love ", which reached number 1 in 28 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Total Eclipse of the Heart</span> 1983 single by Bonnie Tyler

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was written and produced by Jim Steinman, and released on Tyler's fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night (1983). The song was released as a single by CBS/Columbia in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Moon Rising</span> 1969 Creedence Clearwater Revival song

"Bad Moon Rising" is a song written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was the lead single from their album Green River and was released in April 16, 1969 four months before the album. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on 28 June 1969 and reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in September of that year. It was CCR's second gold single.

<i>Welcome to the Neighbourhood</i> (Meat Loaf album) 1995 studio album by Meat Loaf

Welcome to the Neighbourhood is the seventh studio album by American rock singer Meat Loaf, released in 1995 as the follow-up to his successful comeback album Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell. It went platinum in the United States and United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)</span> 1993 single by Meat Loaf

"I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" is a song written by Jim Steinman, and recorded by American rock singer Meat Loaf featuring Lorraine Crosby. The song was released in August 1993 by MCA and Virgin as the first single from the singer's sixth album, Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993). The last six verses feature Crosby, who was credited only as "Mrs. Loud" in the album notes. She does not appear in the accompanying music video, directed by Michael Bay, in which her vocals are lip-synched by Dana Patrick. Meat Loaf promoted the single with American singer Patti Russo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (Bachman–Turner Overdrive song)</span> Song by Bachman-Turner Overdrive

"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" is a song by Canadian rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive (BTO). The song was written by Randy Bachman for the band's third studio album Not Fragile (1974). It was released as a single in 1974, with an instrumental track "Free Wheelin'" as the B-side. It reached the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the Canadian RPM chart the week of November 9, 1974, as well as earning the band their only major hit single in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The follow-up single, "Roll on Down the Highway", was also a minor UK hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addicted to Love (song)</span> 1986 single by Robert Palmer

"Addicted to Love" is a song by English rock singer Robert Palmer released in 1986. It is the third song on Palmer's eighth studio album Riptide (1985) and was released as its second single. The single version is a shorter edit of the full-length album version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)</span> 1973 song composed by Stevie Wonder, performed by Aretha Franklin

"Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" is a song written by Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, and Stevie Wonder. The song was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, but his version was not released as a single and did not appear on an album until 1977's anthology Looking Back. The best-known version of this song is the 1973 release by Aretha Franklin, who had a million-selling top 10 hit on Billboard charts. The song reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart in 1974. It became an RIAA Gold record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Give Love a Bad Name</span> 1986 single by Bon Jovi

"You Give Love a Bad Name" is a song by American rock band Bon Jovi, released as the first single from their 1986 album Slippery When Wet. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, and Desmond Child about a woman who has jilted her lover, the song reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on November 29, 1986, and became the band's first number-one hit. In 2007, the song re-entered the charts at No. 29 after Blake Lewis performed it on American Idol. Despite the lyrics of the chorus, the song should not be confused with "Shot Through the Heart", an unrelated song from Bon Jovi's 1984 self-titled debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missing You (John Waite song)</span> 1984 single by John Waite

"Missing You" is a song co-written and recorded by English musician John Waite. It was released in June 1984 as the lead single from his second album, No Brakes (1984). It reached number one on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks and on the Hot 100, as well as number 9 on the UK Singles Chart. "Missing You" was the only record in 1984 to spend only a single week at the top of the Hot 100. The song was nominated for the 1985 Best Pop Vocal Performance Male Grammy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border Song</span> 1970 single by Elton John

"Border Song" is a song by Elton John with music by John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. The song initially appeared on the 1970 album Elton John, and was released in the spring of 1970 as the LP's first single. After failing to chart in the UK, it was released in North America a few months later. It met with more success there, especially in Canada, where it peaked at No. 34. The appearance of "Border Song" on the Canadian charts was John's first chart appearance in any country.

"It's All Coming Back to Me Now" is a power ballad written by Jim Steinman. According to Steinman, the song was inspired by Wuthering Heights, and was an attempt to write "the most passionate, romantic song" he could ever create. The Sunday Times posits that "Steinman protects his songs as if they were his children". Meat Loaf, who had collaborated with Steinman on most of his hit songs, had wanted to record the song for years, but Steinman refused, saying he saw it as a "woman's song". Steinman won a court case, which prevented Meat Loaf from recording it. Girl group Pandora's Box went on to record it, and it was subsequently made famous through a cover by Celine Dion, which upset Meat Loaf because he was going to use it for a planned album with the working title Bat Out of Hell III.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Making Love Out of Nothing at All</span> 1983 single by Air Supply

"Making Love Out of Nothing at All" is a power ballad written and composed by Jim Steinman and first released by the British/Australian soft rock duo Air Supply for their 1983 compilation album Greatest Hits. It reached number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. The song has been covered by other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are</span> 1993 song by Meat Loaf

"Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are" is a song composed and written by Jim Steinman, and recorded by Meat Loaf. The song was released in 1994 as the third single from the album Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell and it reached number 38 on US's Billboard Hot 100, and number 26 in the UK Top 40. With its chart success, this song became the hit with the longest un-bracketed title at fifty-two characters as of 2007. The title is derived from the safety warning on car side mirrors in the US, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth</span> 1977 single by Meat Loaf

"You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth" (also known as "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)") is the first solo single by the American singer Meat Loaf, released in 1977. It is a track from his album Bat Out of Hell, written by Jim Steinman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">More Love (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles song)</span>

"More Love" is a 1967 hit single recorded by the American soul group The Miracles for Motown Records' Tamla label. The single, included on the group's 1967 album Make It Happen, later reissued in 1970 as The Tears of a Clown. Kim Carnes's 1980 cover of the song reached the Top 10 of Billboard's Adult Contemporary and Hot 100 charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through</span> 1981 single by Jim Steinman

"Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" is a song written by American composer Jim Steinman. It was first featured on Steinman's 1981 solo album Bad for Good, with lead vocals by an uncredited Rory Dodd. It was later recorded by American singer Meat Loaf and released in 1994 as the third single from the album Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)</span> 1995 single by Meat Loaf

"I'd Lie for You (And That's the Truth)" is a song composed and written by Diane Warren, and recorded by Meat Loaf and Patti Russo. The song was released in October 1995 as the first single from Meat Loaf's seventh studio album, Welcome to the Neighbourhood (1995). The single release reached No. 2 in the United Kingdom and No. 13 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)</span> 1960 single by The Everly Brothers

"So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" is a song written by Don Everly, which was released by The Everly Brothers in 1960. The song was later a country hit for multiple artists in the 1970s and 80s.

References

  1. ↑ Strong, Martin Charles (1995). The Great Rock Discography. p. 536. ISBN   9780862415419.
  2. ↑ "Meat Loaf singles".
  3. ↑ "The 40 Greatest Power Ballads Playlist". Classic Rock Magazine. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Meat Loaf". Billboard .
  5. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  6. ↑ "Classic Albums Six Hour Interview". Jimsteinman.com. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  7. ↑ Official Video on YouTube
  8. ↑ Meat Loaf - 'Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad' (Japanese release) , retrieved 2017-04-14
  9. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 4, 1978. p. 13. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  10. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 4, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  11. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  12. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  13. ↑ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  14. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Two Out of Three Ain't Bad". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  15. ↑ Hung, Steffen. "charts.nz - Meat Loaf - Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad". charts.nz.
  16. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  17. ↑ "Meat Loaf Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. ↑ "Meat Loaf Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  19. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 7/01/78". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-20. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  20. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  21. ↑ "Meat Loaf Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Meat Loaf Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978". Kent Music Report . Retrieved 2022-02-14– via Imgur.com.
  24. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  25. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1978/Top 100 Songs of 1978". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  26. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1981". Tropicalglen.com. 1981-12-26. Archived from the original on 2016-10-22. Retrieved 2016-10-19.
  27. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Meat Loaf – Two Out of Three Ain't Bad". Music Canada . Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  28. ↑ "British single certifications – Meat Loaf – Two Out of Three Ain't Bad". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  29. ↑ "American single certifications – Meat Loaf – Two Out of Three Ain't Bad". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3492." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. March 23, 1998. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.