About the song
Meat Loaf, the iconic rock singer with a powerful voice and theatrical flair, delivered one of his most enduring hits with “Paradise By The Dashboard Light.” This epic ballad, released in 1977 on his groundbreaking album “Bat Out of Hell,” is a timeless tale of teenage love, desire, and the fleeting nature of youth.
The song’s narrative unfolds through a series of spoken dialogues interspersed with soaring rock anthems. The story begins with a young couple, the narrator and his girlfriend, setting off on a romantic drive. The narrator expresses his longing for a “paradise by the dashboard light,” a metaphor for a secluded, intimate moment. As they cruise down the highway, their passion intensifies, leading to a heated argument about their future together.
The dialogue between the couple is both humorous and dramatic, capturing the raw emotions and insecurities of young love. The narrator’s insistence on a “paradise by the dashboard light” contrasts with his girlfriend’s desire for a more conventional relationship. Their conflicting perspectives create a sense of tension and anticipation throughout the song.
Musically, “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” is a masterpiece of rock and roll. The driving guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Meat Loaf’s soaring vocals combine to create a powerful and unforgettable sound. The song’s structure is dynamic, with alternating sections of spoken dialogue and musical interludes. The musical crescendos and dramatic pauses perfectly complement the emotional intensity of the lyrics.
One of the most memorable aspects of the song is the spoken dialogue between the narrator and his girlfriend. The narrator’s persistence and the girlfriend’s resistance create a compelling narrative that keeps the listener engaged. The song’s ending is particularly poignant, as the couple’s argument reaches a climax and the narrator’s hopes for a “paradise by the dashboard light” are dashed.
“Paradise By the Dashboard Light” is more than just a popular song; it is a timeless piece of storytelling that resonates with audiences of all ages. The song’s themes of love, desire, and the fleeting nature of youth are universal and continue to captivate listeners decades after its release. Meat Loaf’s powerful performance and the song’s unforgettable melody make it a classic of rock and roll.
Video
Lyrrics
Well I remember every little thing
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
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
Oh 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
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
Oh 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
(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
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 (oh oh oh)
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)