The song is also notable for an extended sequence in which then-Yankees play-by-play announcer Phil Rizzuto ostensibly narrates a baseball game. This play-by-play serves as a metaphor for the young lovers going "around the bases".
The track was recorded in 1976 under the guidance of producer Todd Rundgren.
Paradise By The Dashboard Lights
Meat Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As if it happened only yesterday
Parking by the lake
And there was not another car in sight
And I never had a girl
Looking any better than you did
And all the kids at school
They were wishing they were me that night
It never felt so good, it never felt so right
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
C'mon Hold on tight
C'mon Hold on tight
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
I can see paradise by the dashboard light
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Well ain't no doubt about it
Baby got to go and shout it
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Baby don't you hear my heart
You got it drowning out the radio
I've been waiting so long
For you to come along and have some fun
Well I gotta let you know
No you're never gonna regret it
So open up your eyes I got a big surprise
It'll feel all right
Well I want to make your motor run
And now our bodies are oh so close and tight
It never felt so good, it never felt so right
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
C'mon hold on tight
C'mon hold on tight
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
I can see paradise by the dashboard light
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
Paradise by the dashboard light
You got to do what you can
And let Mother Nature do the rest
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way and tonight's the night
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way and tonight's the night
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way and tonight's the night
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way and tonight's the night
Okay, here we go, we got a real pressure cooker going here,
Two down, nobody on, no score, bottom of the ninth,
There's the windup, and there it is,
A line shot up the middle, look at him go.
This boy can really fly
He's rounding first and really turning it on now,
He's not letting up at all,
He's gonna try for second, the ball is bobbled out in center,
And here comes the throw, and what a throw
He's gonna slide in head first,
Here he comes, he's out
No, wait, safe-safe at second base,
This kid really makes things happen out there.
Batter steps up to the plate, here's the pitch-he's going,
And what a jump he's got, he's trying for third,
Here's the throw, it's in the dirt-safe at third
Holy cow, stolen base, he's taking a pretty big lead out there,
Almost daring him to try and pick him off.
The pitcher glances over, winds up, and it's bunted,
Bunted down the third base line, the suicide squeeze is on
Here he comes, squeeze play, it's gonna be close, here's the throw, here's the play at the
Holy cow, I think he's gonna make it
Stop right there
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me?
Will you love me forever?
Do you need me?
Will you never leave me?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife?
Do you love me?
Will you love me forever?
Do you need me?
Will you never leave me?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife?
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me?
Will you love me forever?
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
I gotta know right now
Do you love me?
Will you love me forever?
Do you need me?
Will you never leave me?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife?
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me?
And will you love me forever?
What's it gonna be, boy?
Come on, I can wait all night
What's it gonna be, boy?
Yes or no?
What's it gonna be, boy?
Yes or no?
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
Let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
I gotta know right now
Do you love me? (let me sleep on it)
Will you love me forever? (baby, baby let me sleep on it)
Do you need me?
Will you never leave me?
Will you make me so happy (let me sleep on it)
For the rest of my life? (I'll give you an answer in the morning)
Will you take me away
(I'll give you an answer in the morning)
I gotta know right now?
Before we go any further
Do you love me?
will you love me forever?
Let me sleep on it
Will you love me forever
Let me sleep on it
Will you love me forever
I couldn't take it any longer
Lord I was crazed
And when the feeling came upon me like a tidal wave
I started swearing to my god and on my mother's grave
That I would love you to the end of time
I swore, that I would love you to the end of time
So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
'Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you
I don't think that I can really survive
I'll never break my promise or forget my vow
But God only knows what I can do right now
I'm praying for the end of time
It's all that I can do
Praying for the end of time, so I can end my life with you
It was long ago and it was far away
And it was so much better that it is today
It was long ago and it was far away (it never felt so good, it never felt so right)
And it was so much better that it is today (and we were glowing like, a metal on the edge of a knife)
It was long ago and it was far away (it never felt so good, it never felt so right)
And it was so much better that it is today (and we were glowing like, a metal on the edge of a knife)
It was long ago and it was far away (it never felt so good, it never felt so right)
And it was so much better that it is today (and we were glowing like, a metal on the edge of a knife)
It was long ago and it was far away (it never felt so good, it never felt so right)
And it was so much better that it is today (and we were glowing like, a metal on the edge of a knife)
It was long ago and it was far away (it never felt so good, it never felt so right)
And it was so much better that it is today (and we were glowing like, a metal on the edge of a knife)
It was long ago and it was far away (it never felt so good, it never felt so right)
And it was so much better that it is today (and we were glowing like, a metal on the edge of a knife)
It was long ago and it was far away
The lyrics to Meat Loaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" describe a young couple's romantic encounter in a car, with the male narrator reminiscing about the moment many years later. He recalls parking by a lake, being enamored with his female companion, and feeling envious of how others wished they were in his shoes that night. As they get closer physically, they feel like they're "glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife." They talk about love, asking each other if they'll be together forever, and the singer eventually reveals that he can barely stand being with her anymore and wishes for the end of time to come so he can be done with it.
This song is known for its classic rock sound, catchy chorus and iconic spoken-word play-by-play of a baseball game. However, its lyrics also reveal a complicated dynamic between the two lovers, with the singer expressing conflicting feelings of lust and frustration, and ultimately wanting out of the relationship. It's a cautionary tale of how even the most intense love can sour over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I remember every little thing
I remember every detail of that special night
As if it happened only yesterday
The memories are fresh and vivid in my mind
Parking by the lake
We parked the car by the lake
And there was not another car in sight
We were the only two people there
And I never had a girl
Looking any better than you did
You looked stunning that night, better than any girl I've ever seen
And all the kids at school
They were wishing they were me that night
I was the envy of everyone at school that night
And now our bodies are oh so close and tight
It never felt so good, it never felt so right
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife
Our bodies are intimately close, and it feels amazing. We're shining like a sharp metal edge
C'mon Hold on tight
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night
Hold on tight to me, even though it's cold and dark outside
I can see paradise by the dashboard light
Ain't no doubt about it
I can see that we're headed for paradise, there's no doubt it
We were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely dressed
Well ain't no doubt about it
Baby got to go and shout it
We were lucky to be young and attractive, barely clothed. There's no doubt that we need to tell everyone
Baby don't you hear my heart
You got it drowning out the radio
My heart is beating so fast and loud, it drowns out the radio
I've been waiting so long
For you to come along and have some fun
Well I gotta let you know
No you're never gonna regret it
So open up your eyes I got a big surprise
It'll feel all right
I've been waiting for you to join me for so long, and I promise you won't regret it. Keep your eyes open, I have a big surprise in store for you
Well I want to make your motor run
C'mon hold on tight
Paradise by the dashboard light
I'm trying to build up the excitement and passion between us. Hold on tight, we're headed for paradise
You got to do what you can
And let Mother Nature do the rest
We're gonna go all the way tonight
We're gonna go all the way and tonight's the night
You need to do your part, and let Mother Nature take care of the rest. We're going all the way tonight, and tonight is the night
Okay, here we go, we got a real pressure cooker going here,
Two down, nobody on, no score, bottom of the ninth,
There's the windup, and there it is,
A line shot up the middle, look at him go.
This boy can really fly
He's rounding first and really turning it on now,
He's not letting up at all,
He's gonna try for second, the ball is bobbled out in center,
And here comes the throw, and what a throw
He's gonna slide in head first,
Here he comes, he's out
No, wait, safe-safe at second base,
This kid really makes things happen out there.
Batter steps up to the plate, here's the pitch-he's going,
And what a jump he's got, he's trying for third,
Here's the throw, it's in the dirt-safe at third
Holy cow, stolen base, he's taking a pretty big lead out there,
Almost daring him to try and pick him off.
The pitcher glances over, winds up, and it's bunted,
Bunted down the third base line, the suicide squeeze is on
Here he comes, squeeze play, it's gonna be close, here's the throw, here's the play at the
Holy cow, I think he's gonna make it
This is a metaphor for baseball, representing the sexual tension between us. We're scoring big, getting closer and closer to the ultimate goal
Stop right there
I gotta know right now
Before we go any further
Do you love me?
Will you love me forever?
Do you need me?
Will you never leave me?
Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?
Will you take me away and will you make me your wife?
Let's pause for a moment before we take this any further. Do you truly love me and want to spend forever with me? Will you take care of me and make me happy for the rest of our lives?
Let me sleep on it
Baby, baby let me sleep on it
And I'll give you an answer in the morning
And will you love me forever?
Let me think about it tonight, and I'll give you my answer in the morning. But will you really love me forever?
What's it gonna be, boy?
Come on, I can wait all night
Yes or no?
What's your answer, I can wait as long as it takes. Yes or no?
Do you love me? (let me sleep on it)
Will you love me forever? (baby, baby let me sleep on it)
Will you make me so happy (let me sleep on it)
For the rest of my life? (I'll give you an answer in the morning)
Will you take me away
(I'll give you an answer in the morning)
Repeating the same questions about love and happiness, asking for more time to think before giving an answer
I couldn't take it any longer
Lord I was crazed
And when the feeling came upon me like a tidal wave
I started swearing to my god and on my mother's grave
That I would love you to the end of time
I swore, that I would love you to the end of time
The passion and desire was too much to handle, and I swear to you and to God that I will love you forever
So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
'Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you
I don't think that I can really survive
I'll never break my promise or forget my vow
But God only knows what I can do right now
I'm praying for the end of time
It's all that I can do
Praying for the end of time, so I can end my life with you
I want time to stop, so I don't have to spend a single moment without you. I'll never break my promise of love, but I don't know what I'm capable of doing to be with you right now. I'm praying for the end of time so I can be with you for eternity, even if it means the end of my own life
It was long ago and it was far away
And it was so much better that it is today
The past was so much better than the present
It was long ago and it was far away (it never felt so good, it never felt so right)
And it was so much better that it is today (and we were glowing like, a metal on the edge of a knife)
Repeating the same line with the same meaning, emphasizing how much better the past was
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CZsWorld
This song is so great. Melody, harmony, rhythm, character arc, Phil Rizzuto. It has everything.
@johnpiercy9191
+CZsWorld Except it isn't Vin Scully... it's Phil Rizzuto.
@CZsWorld
+John Piercy
OMG. My Dad always told me it was Vin Scully and I believed it. They certainly sound similar.
@BonusTank
So now that we've clarified it's not Vin Scully. Is that enough Vin Scully to still have everything :P
@Matt_Chalice
+CZsWorld
Certainly a hell of a lot better than the so called music shit these days
@dominicklauria8535
+CZsWorld Its Phil Rizzuto (RIP), not Vin Scully. Rizzuto was the voice of the Yankees for years.
@magnoliaplumbing901
My wife was the lead singer of a lounge band in the '80s. Several times late in the evening, my wife and myself would cover this. While she had the voice of an angel and I admit I not the best singer but when on that little stage there was no one better in the world. Unfortunately she was taken away from me in an auto accident. Every time I hear this I can feel her right beside with a wide smile and her eyes beaming. God knows I miss her. RIP LeAnna I still love you and miss you every day of life
@marionlammertsma
💞💞🥹😔
@radarluv67
So sorry for your loss.
@magnoliaplumbing901
@@radarluv67 thank you