Perceived ambiguity of "that"
Each verse mentions two things that he would do for love, followed by one thing that he will not do. The title phrase repetition reasserts that he "won't do that" previously stated one thing. Each mention of "that" is an anaphoric reference to the particular promise that he made earlier in the same verse.
* "But I'll never forget the way you feel right now ..."
* "But I'll never forgive myself if we don't go all the way tonight ..."
* "But I'll never do it better than I do it with you ..."
* "But I'll never stop dreaming of you every night of my life ..."
In addition, the female vocalist predicts two other things that he will do: "You'll see that it's time to move on" and "You'll be screwing around". To both of these, he emphatically responds, "I won't do that!"
Some people misunderstand the lyrics, claiming that the singer never identifies what "that" thing is, which he will not do. Jim Steinman predicted this confusion during production and the confusion is encouraged by the fact that what the lyrics identify as things the singer wouldn't do for love, aren't things it would make any sense for someone to do for love in the first place. How could "forgetting the way you feel right now" be something I do for love? An early episode of the VH1 program Pop-up Video made this claim at the end of the song's video: "Exactly what Meat Loaf won't do for love remains a mystery to this day." A reviewer writing for Allmusic commented that "The lyrics build suspense by portraying a romance-consumed lover who pledges to do anything in the name of love except "that," a mysterious thing that he will not specify." The reviewer concludes that the mystery is revealed during the closing stages of the song, incorrectly implying that all references of "that" refer to the female vocalist's predictions at the end. Others assume that "that" is an exophoric reference to a sex act.
Meat Loaf says that the question, "What is 'that'?" is one of the most popular questions he is asked. In his 1998 VH1 Storytellers special, he even explained it on stage using a blackboard and a pointing stick. In a 1993 promotional interview, Jim Steinman states that the definition of "that" is fully revealed in the song in each of the several verses in which it is mentioned.
It's sort of is a little puzzle and I guess it goes by - but they're all great things. 'I won't stop doing beautiful things and I won't do bad things.' It's very noble. I'm very proud of that song because it's very much like out of the world of Excalibur. To me, it's like Sir Lancelot or something - very noble and chivalrous. That's my favorite song on the record - it's very ambitious.
Jimmy Steinman always said, "You know what? Nobody's gonna get it." And he was right.
—-Meat Loaf
I'd Do Anything for Love
Meat Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd run right into hell and back
I would do anything for love
I'll never lie to you and that's a fact
But I'll never forget the way you feel right now
Oh no, no way
And I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
And some days it don't come easy
And some days it don't come hard
Some days it don't come at all, and these are the days that never end
And some nights you're breathing fire
And some nights you're carved in ice
Some nights you're like nothing I've ever seen before or will again
And maybe I'm crazy, oh, it's crazy and it's true
I know you can save me, no one else can save me now but you
As long as the planets are turning
As long as the stars are burning
As long as your dreams are coming true
You better believe it
That I would do anything for love
Oh, I would do anything for love
Oh, I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
No, I won't do that
I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just won't do that
I would do anything for love
Anything you've been dreaming of
But I just won't do
And some days I pray for silence
And some days I pray for soul
Some days I just pray to the God of sex and drums and rock 'n' roll
And maybe I'm lonely, that's all I'm qualified to be
That's just one and only, one and only promise I can keep
As long as the wheels are turning
As long as the fires are burning
As long as your prayers are coming true
You better believe it
That I would do anything for love
And you know it's true and that's a fact
I would do anything for love
And there'll never be no turning back
But I'll never do it better than I do it with you, so long, so long
And I would do anything for love
Oh, I would do anything for love
I would do anything for love
But I won't do that
No, no, no, I won't do that
Will you raise me up? Will you help me down?
Will you get me right out of this Godforsaken town?
Will you make it all a little less cold?
I can do that
Oh, oh, now I can do that
Will you cater to every fantasy I got?
Will you hose me down with holy water, if I get too hot?
Will you take me places I've never known?
I can do that
Oh now, I can do that
I know the territory, I've been around
It'll all turn to dust and we'll all fall down
Sooner or later you'll be screwing around
I won't do that
No, I won't do that
Anything for love
But I won't do that
The song "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf is a passionate declaration of love and devotion with a hint of mystery around the repeated refrain "But I won't do that." The song tells the story of a man who is deeply in love and would do anything for his partner. He would endure hell and back and never lie to her. He is committed to his love but refuses to do one thing, which remains unknown. The song is often interpreted to mean that the one thing he won't do is cheat or leave his partner, but some argue that it could mean a range of things, such as changing who he is or compromising his values.
The song's lyrics also explore the ups and downs of love, with some days being easy and others being hard. The singer notes that he sometimes prays for silence or for soul, and he even prays to the "God of sex and drums and rock 'n' roll." The song's bridge suggests that the person he loves is his savior, the only one who can save him. The song ends with the singer asking his partner a series of questions about what he wants in a relationship, to which she responds that she can do everything he desires, except for the one thing he won't do.
Overall, the song is an epic love ballad with a slightly dark twist, keeping listeners guessing as to what the one thing he won't do could be.
Line by Line Meaning
And I would do anything for love
I am willing to go to great lengths for love
I'd run right into hell and back
I am willing to face any challenge to protect our love
I'll never lie to you and that's a fact
I promise to always be truthful with you
But I'll never forget the way you feel right now
I will cherish and remember the present moment
And I would do anything for love
My love for you is unconditional
But I won't do that
There are certain things I am not willing to do
Some nights you're like nothing I've ever seen before or will again
You are unique and special to me
And maybe I'm crazy, oh, it's crazy and it's true
I acknowledge my crazy love for you
I know you can save me, no one else can save me now but you
You are my savior and I depend on your love
As long as your dreams are coming true
I will support you and help fulfill your dreams
Anything you've been dreaming of
I am open to any desires or goals you have
But I won't do that
I will not betray my values or beliefs for love
And some days I pray for silence
I seek moments of calm in my life
But I'll never do it better than I do it with you, so long, so long
I am happy in our relationship and do not want to lose you
Will you cater to every fantasy I got?
Are you willing to fulfill all of my desires?
Will you take me places I've never known?
Will you introduce me to new experiences and adventures?
It'll all turn to dust and we'll all fall down
Eventually, everything will come to an end
Sooner or later you'll be screwing around
I fear that one day you will cheat on me
Anything for love
I am willing to sacrifice for love
But I won't do that
There are still limits to what I'm willing to do for love
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jim Steinman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rodg321
For the people confused, here is a break down of the things Meat Loaf "wont do":
#1. He'll never lie to his woman. (0:58)
#2. He'll never forget the way she feels. (1:05)
#3. He'll never forgive himself if he and his woman don't go all the way in their relationship. (2:58)
#4. He'll never turn his back on their love for each other. (4:27)
#5. He'll never have better sex than he did when he was with his woman. (4:33)
#6. He'll never stop dreaming about his woman. (5:31)
#7. He'll never think that their relationship was just a fling, and move on to someone else. (6:27)
#8. He'll never break the relationship and start screwing other women. (6:46)
@empanadavoleta
Who's watching in 2024?
@przemysawmaoszyc6409
I'm still watching greetings from Poland
@Muzan_K
Aqui, sou brasileiro ✨
@sharonpendery8524
Still here in 2024. This is actually still on my playlist
@dieterokunowski8127
2024 i am here❤
@davidstafford7465
Me
@DVBTVnews
RIP Meat Loaf. You are the true legend and your music will live forever.
@jazmorrison9030
Well said
@toogr84u
His name was Robert Paulson.
@lancepelissier5510
Digtal Techlky alrady has done that; that's why we sill have music of Prince, Kenny The Jacksons, Eagles, and many more. What an tubut these man and wemen to their babies saved for generations down the road to still enjoy the music.