Song Information
The song was originally written by Jim Steinman, Tony Hendra and Sean Kelly (and sung by Michael Simmons) for the short-lived television comedy series, Delta House. Steinman reworked the melody into the song "Dead Ringer for Love" for the Dead Ringer album, while portions of the lyric would later appear in his "Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young".[1]
The song was performed many times by Loaf but never by Cher. There is no footage of Cher and Loaf ever performing this song live together, and Cher appeared only in the music video. The song performed by Loaf is available in two live CD's; Live Around the World and Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The song was also used in the Loaf's Hits out of Hell and in Cher's Greatest Hits: 1965–1992 compilations.
Dead Ringer for Love
Meat Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got my buddies and a beer, I got a dream, I need a car
You got me begging on my knees, c'mon and throw the dog a bone
A man he doesn't live by rock 'n roll and brew alone
Baby baby
Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew
They don't mean a thing when I compare 'em next to you
I know that you and I we got better things to do
I don't know who you are or what you do
Or where you go when you're not around
I don't know anything about you, baby
But you're everything I'm dreaming of
I don't know who you are, but you're a real dead ringer for love
A real dead ringer for love
Ever since I can remember you been hanging 'round this joint
You been trying to look away but now you finally got the point
I don't have to know your name and I won't tell you what to do
But a girl, she doesn't live by only rock 'n roll and brew
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew
They don't mean a thing when I compare 'em next to you
Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew
I know that you and I we got better things to do
I don't know who you are or what you do
Or where you go when you're not around
I don't know anything about you, baby
But you're everything I'm dreaming of
I don't know who you are, but you're a real dead ringer for love
A real dead ringer for love
Ooh, you got the kind of legs that do more than walk
I don't have to listen to your whimpering talk
Listen you got the kind of eyes that do more than see
You got a lotta nerve to come on to me
Oh, you got the kind of lips that do more than drink
You got the kind of mind that does less than think
But since I'm feeling kinda lonely, my defenses are low
Why don't you give it a shot and get it ready to go
I'm looking for anonymous and fleeting satisfaction
And I want to tell my daddy I'll be missing in action
Ever since I can remember I've been hanging 'round this joint
My daddy never noticed, now he'll finally get the point
You got me beggin' on my knees, c'mon and throw the dog a bone
A man he doesn't live by rock 'n roll and brew alone
Baby, baby, baby, baby
Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew
I know that you and I we got better things to do
Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew
They don't mean a thing when I compare 'em next to you
I don't know who you are or what you do
Or where you go when you're not around
I don't know anything about you baby, but you're everything I'm dreaming of
I don't know who you are, but you're a real dead ringer for love
A real dead ringer for love
Dead ringer for love
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
Dead ringer for love (dead ringer)
The song "Dead Ringer for Love" by Meat Loaf is a rock and roll ballad that expresses the desire for love over everything else. The lyrics personify the singer as a man who spends his nights drinking in a bar with his friends but has a strong need for companionship. He expresses his love for the mysterious woman who he has seen around the bar, describing her as a "dead ringer for love."
The repetition of "rock 'n' roll and brew" gives the listener a sense of familiarity, as the singer sings about the things that his life revolves around. However, he comes to realize that these things are not as important as finding love. The chorus, "Rock 'n' roll and brew, they don't mean a thing when I compare 'em next to you," emphasizes how the mystery woman takes precedence over everything else in his life.
The bridge of the song highlights the singer's physical attraction to the woman, describing her legs, eyes, and lips. He goes on to say that he is looking for "anonymous and fleeting satisfaction," indicating that he wants to have a physical relationship with the woman, but not necessarily a romantic one.
Line by Line Meaning
Every night I grab some money and I go down to the bar
I frequently visit the bar and bring money with me
I got my buddies and a beer, I got a dream, I need a car
I have friends, a drink, and a desire for a car
You got me begging on my knees, c'mon and throw the dog a bone
I am pleading with you to give me a chance
A man he doesn't live by rock 'n roll and brew alone
A person needs more than just music and alcohol in life
Rock 'n roll and brew, rock 'n roll and brew
Music and alcohol are not the most important things in life
They don't mean a thing when I compare 'em next to you
When I am with you, music and alcohol pale in comparison
I know that you and I we got better things to do
You and I have more important things to focus on
I don't know who you are or what you do
I do not know who you are or what you do for a living
Or where you go when you're not around
I am not sure where you go when you are not with me
I don't know anything about you, baby
I lack knowledge about you as a person
But you're everything I'm dreaming of
Despite my lack of knowledge about you, you are the embodiment of everything I want
But you're a real dead ringer for love
You are a perfect match for what I am looking for in love
Ever since I can remember you been hanging 'round this joint
I recall seeing you around this place for a long time
You been trying to look away but now you finally got the point
You have been avoiding me, but now you understand my interest in you
But a girl, she doesn't live by only rock 'n roll and brew
Women need more than just music and alcohol in life
Ooh, you got the kind of legs that do more than walk
You have attractive legs that are sensual and alluring
I don't have to listen to your whimpering talk
I do not need to hear you complain or talk excessively
Listen you got the kind of eyes that do more than see
Your eyes are captivating and have a certain effect on me
You got a lotta nerve to come on to me
You are very bold to approach and flirt with me
Oh, you got the kind of lips that do more than drink
Your lips are sensual and evoke desire in me
You got the kind of mind that does less than think
You prioritize your physical appeal over your intelligence
Why don't you give it a shot and get it ready to go
Why don't you give us a chance and see where it goes?
I'm looking for anonymous and fleeting satisfaction
I am not looking for anything serious - just a casual relationship
And I want to tell my daddy I'll be missing in action
I am willing to pursue this relationship even if it requires me to be absent from my family
My daddy never noticed, now he'll finally get the point
My father did not take notice of me before, but now he will see my independence and maturity
Dead ringer for love
You are a perfect match for what I am looking for in love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jim Steinman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Rangerboy51
RIP Meatloaf. A wonderful performer.
@Michelle-ki3lj
RIP Meatloaf. Suddenly thinking about watching SpiceWorld for the laughs, funny man. X
@Barbie_All_The_Way
GREATEST PERFORMER EVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRR. I didn't know Meat and Jim existed until after Meat died this past January. I've heard Two out of Three Ain't Bad and Surf's Up in high school but I wasn't interested in 70s music. I listened to John Mellencamp but I think it was only one song then. I listened to Michael Jackson, and I do like. 3 songs from heart but that's all I liked then so I wasn't interested in 70s music. So I wasn't into 70s music. So I didn't bother to look up the singer and writer. I actually just assumed it was John
@Glaaki13
true brother
@timhannah5726
Hey guys are are available we have an extra extra hour and can you
@melaniemason4049
My dad went too see him live at Wolverhampton said he was absolutely fantastic
@gezzarandom
Meatloaf could perform most genres brilliantly, from heavy metal to opera. One of the best vocalists and performers ever.
@aussiebloke609
If only there had been a duet with Meat and Freddie Mercury. We can only imagine what that could have been like...but I suspect it would have been awesome.
@TheHunk348
And Cher was good to. They were friends Meat Loaf and Cher.
@grahamnewton4381
Two of the best voices ever in Rock Music