Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
Encyclopedia
"Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" is a song composed and written by Jim Steinman
. It first featured on Steinman's 1981 solo album Bad for Good
, with lead vocals by an uncredited Rory Dodd
(though the song is credited to Steinman). It was later recorded by Meat Loaf
, and released in 1993
as the third single from the album Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell
.
Both the Steinman original and the Meat Loaf remake were Top 40 hits. Steinman's version hit #32 on the Billboard Hot 100
and #14 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
charts. The Meat Loaf version reached #11 in the UK and #13 on the Hot 100.
to rock music, celebrating how it is always there to help you through troubled times. One of its lyrics is "You're never alone, 'cause you can put on the 'phones
and let the drummer tell your heart what to do."
hing the song. Scenes of a black bird of prey are seen at the beginning and end of the video.
The video for the Meat Loaf version was directed by Michael Bay
, who had also directed the videos for "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
" and "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are
".
In the music video, Meat Loaf stands as a fortuneteller who to comfort a recently runaway teenager (played by Angelina Jolie
). Meat Loaf's character also protects a young boy from joining a gang and other people who are lost and lonely, Jolie's character, after the song ends, returns to her family.
". A second UK version had "Wasted Youth" and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
", while the 7" picture disc
contains just "Wasted Youth". The US singles contained edited, live and acoustic versions of "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)".
Radio edit, 4:00
Knute Rockne edit, 5:28
in 2004 as a sound test, but wasn't in the actual concert (Its audio can be heard on a special edition of the Bat out of Hell Live
CD). It was showcased in the DVD 3 Bats Live
with performance by Meat Loaf in London, Ontario
in 2007. It can also be found on the special 2 CD edition of Bat out of Hell II and most recently on the Casa De Carne live album, a bonus CD with the Special Edition (US) Deluxe and Super Deluxe versions (UK) of Meat Loaf's 2010 Hang Cool Teddy Bear
album.
Jim Steinman
James Richard "Jim" Steinman is an American composer, lyricist, and Grammy Award-winning record producer responsible for several hit songs. He has also worked as an arranger, pianist, and singer...
. It first featured on Steinman's 1981 solo album Bad for Good
Bad for Good
On the original vinyl release, "The Storm" and "Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through" were the A-side and B-side, respectively, of a 33-rpm 7" single, enclosed with the album. These tracks, according to Steinman's concept, are supposed to be the prelude and epilogue, respectively, of the album. The...
, with lead vocals by an uncredited Rory Dodd
Rory Dodd
Rory Dodd is a Canadian rock vocalist who has performed many songs written by Jim Steinman. He is probably best known for singing the "Turn around, bright eyes" lyrics on Bonnie Tyler's version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart."...
(though the song is credited to Steinman). It was later recorded by Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
, and released in 1993
1993 in music
This is a summary of significant events in music in 1993.-January–February:*January 8 – The U.S. Postal Service issues an Elvis Presley stamp. The design was voted on in February 1992....
as the third single from the album Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell
Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell
Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell is a 1993 studio album by Meat Loaf and was written and produced by Jim Steinman. It was released sixteen years after Meat Loaf's second solo album Bat Out of Hell. It reached #1 in the US, the UK and Australia...
.
Both the Steinman original and the Meat Loaf remake were Top 40 hits. Steinman's version hit #32 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #14 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
charts. The Meat Loaf version reached #11 in the UK and #13 on the Hot 100.
Music and lyrics
"Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" is a paeanPaean
A paean is a song or lyric poem expressing triumph or thanksgiving. In classical antiquity, it is usually performed by a chorus, but some examples seem intended for an individual voice...
to rock music, celebrating how it is always there to help you through troubled times. One of its lyrics is "You're never alone, 'cause you can put on the 'phones
Headphones
Headphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, held close to a user's ears and connected to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player or portable Media Player. They are also known as stereophones, headsets or, colloquially, cans. The in-ear...
and let the drummer tell your heart what to do."
Music videos
The Steinman version's video features an empty, dark stage with two dancers, one male and one female, both in dancing suits and dancing with an electric guitar. Steinman is seen throughout in a dark suit and aviator sunglasses standing still on a platform and lip syncLip sync
Lip sync, lip-sync, lip-synch is a technical term for matching lip movements with sung or spoken vocals...
hing the song. Scenes of a black bird of prey are seen at the beginning and end of the video.
The video for the Meat Loaf version was directed by Michael Bay
Michael Bay
Michael Benjamin Bay is an American film director and producer. He is known for directing high-budget action films characterized by their fast edits, stylistic visuals and substantial practical special effects...
, who had also directed the videos for "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't Do That)
"I'd Do Anything for Love " is a song composed and written by Jim Steinman, and recorded by Meat Loaf. The song was released in 1993 as the first single from the album Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell. The title of the song confused some listeners, who were curious to know what "that" is...
" and "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are
Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are
"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 #38 on US's Billboard Hot 100, and #26 in...
".
In the music video, Meat Loaf stands as a fortuneteller who to comfort a recently runaway teenager (played by Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is an American actress. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards, and was named Hollywood's highest-paid actress by Forbes in 2009 and 2011. Jolie is noted for promoting humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for the...
). Meat Loaf's character also protects a young boy from joining a gang and other people who are lost and lonely, Jolie's character, after the song ends, returns to her family.
Tracklisting
Several versions of the "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" have been released. The European and UK version included live versions of "Heaven Can Wait" and "Paradise by the Dashboard LightParadise by the Dashboard Light
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is a song written by Jim Steinman. It was first released in 1977 on the album Bat Out of Hell, with vocals by the American musician Meat Loaf alongside Ellen Foley...
". A second UK version had "Wasted Youth" and "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't Do That)
"I'd Do Anything for Love " is a song composed and written by Jim Steinman, and recorded by Meat Loaf. The song was released in 1993 as the first single from the album Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell. The title of the song confused some listeners, who were curious to know what "that" is...
", while the 7" picture disc
Picture disc
Picture discs are gramophone records that show images on their playing surface, rather than being of plain black or coloured vinyl.-Development:...
contains just "Wasted Youth". The US singles contained edited, live and acoustic versions of "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)".
Jim Steinman Official versions
Album version, 6:23Radio edit, 4:00
Knute Rockne edit, 5:28
Live variations
The song has been performed live various times since Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hells release. The song was featured on Live Around The World and a Live soundcheck appeared on the MAXI single. It was performed with the Melbourne Symphony OrchestraMelbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia. It has 100 permanent musicians. Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia...
in 2004 as a sound test, but wasn't in the actual concert (Its audio can be heard on a special edition of the Bat out of Hell Live
Bat out of Hell Live
Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is a live album released by singer Meat Loaf in 2004 on the Mercury and Sanctuary labels....
CD). It was showcased in the DVD 3 Bats Live
3 Bats Live
3 Bats Live is a music DVD by rock singer Meat Loaf. Recorded in 2007 at London, Ontario during his "Seize the Night" tour, it mainly features songs from the Bat out of Hell trilogy.- Track listing :...
with performance by Meat Loaf in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
in 2007. It can also be found on the special 2 CD edition of Bat out of Hell II and most recently on the Casa De Carne live album, a bonus CD with the Special Edition (US) Deluxe and Super Deluxe versions (UK) of Meat Loaf's 2010 Hang Cool Teddy Bear
Hang Cool Teddy Bear
-Disc 2: Tour Edition:During Meat Loaf's 2010 UK tour, a special two-disc tour edition was given out. The second disc included four songs recorded live at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, on July 16, 2010.-Reception:...
album.
Charts
| End of year chart (1994) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 71 |