Two out of Three Ain't Bad
Encyclopedia
"Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" is a love song
by the American
musician
Meat Loaf
in his solo career, preceded by "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth
" and followed by "Paradise by the Dashboard Light
". It is a track off his 1977 album Bat out of Hell
, written by Jim Steinman
. It reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100
, becoming one of his highest-charting U.S. releases.
It was the final song written for the album. In a 2003 interview for the VH1
Ultimate Albums series, Steinman recalls:
A music video was shot for the single and received significant airplay on television video programs of that day, a number of years before the conception of MTV.
Two mixes were created for the song. In the album mix of 5:27, one can hear prominent Moog-synthesizer embellishments by session keyboardist Roger Powell. The single mix of 3:50 downmixes considerably the synthesizer, in place of a much warmer and predominant string arrangement by Ken Ascher. This mix also edits out and removes the first lyrical bridge of the song which includes the line, "There ain't no Coupe de Ville hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack
box", and does some overlapping, splicing and editing to seamlessly merge back into the second part of the lyrical bridge, starting with, "I can't lie, I can't tell you that I'm something I'm not." Yet, another lyrical edit in the last verse removes the lines, "And though I know I'll never get her out of my heart, she never loved me back, Ooh I know, well I remember how she left me on a stormy night, oh she kissed me and got out of our bed." Lastly, a song fade-out beginning in the middle of the ending chorus' second refrain is also featured, hence removing the full-circle lyrics of "Baby we can talk all night, but that ain't getting us nowhere," that both started and ended the song, in its full album mix version.
did a modified version of the song on their 1984 album Plain Dirt Fashion
. The Dirt Band's version shortens the second and third verses and makes minor changes to the lyrics to give the song more of a country feel.
It was later covered by Bonnie Tyler
, produced by Steinman and his partner Steven Rinkoff
, on her 1996 Free Spirit album.
Canadian country music singer Julian Austin
performed a cover for his 1997 debut album What My Heart Already Knows
and reached No. 10 on the RPM
Top Country Tracks charts. Unlike the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Austin sings the actual version of the song recorded by Meat Loaf 20 years earlier.
Country music singer Jamey Johnson
performed a version for The Imus Ranch Record II released in 2010.
Love song
A love song is about falling in love and the feelings it brings. Anthologies of love songs often contain a mixture of both of these types of song. A bawdy song is both humorous and saucy, emphasizing the physical pleasure of love rather than the emotional joy...
by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
in his solo career, preceded by "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth
You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth
"You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth" is the first single by the American musician Meat Loaf in his solo career. It is a track off his 1977 album Bat out of Hell, written by Jim Steinman.The album version includes a spoken word intro by Steinman and Marcia McClain...
" and followed by "Paradise by the Dashboard Light
Paradise 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...
". It is a track off his 1977 album Bat out of Hell
Bat out of Hell
Bat Out of Hell is the second album by American rock musician Meat Loaf, and his first collaboration with composer Jim Steinman, released in October 1977 on Cleveland International/Epic Records #PE-34974. Selling approximately 200,000 copies per year as of 2010, it is the fifth best-selling album...
, written by Jim Steinman
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 reached #11 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...
, becoming one of his highest-charting U.S. releases.
It was the final song written for the album. In a 2003 interview for the VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
Ultimate Albums series, Steinman recalls:
"I remember Mimi KennedyMimi KennedyMimi Kennedy is an American actress, author and activist.-Early life:Kennedy was born Mary Claire Kennedy in Rochester, New York, the daughter of Nancy Helen and Daniel Gerald Kennedy. She got her start in theater with the Rochester Community Players, appearing in Agatha Christie's "Spider Web"...
[a cast member of Jim's then-current musical Rhinegold] telling me, she said, you know, when I was probably complaining why no one liked my stuff and couldn't get a deal, she says, "Well Steiny, your stuff is so complicated. Can't you write something simple?" And while she was saying that the oldies station was on the radio and it was playing that old ElvisElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
song, 'I Want You, I Need,' whatever it was. 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love YouI Want You, I Need You, I Love You"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" is a popular song written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff. It is known best for being Elvis Presley's second RCA single album release...
', you know. I just started singing my own song but it was 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.' She said, "Why don't you write something simple like that, 'I want you, I need you, I love you'?" I said, "Well I'll try." I don't try to make them complicated. I remember going home and I tried so hard but the best I could do was: I want you, I need you but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you, don't be sad, 'cause two out of three ain't bad. So it was still a twist but it was my closest to a simple song, and one Elvis could have done."
A music video was shot for the single and received significant airplay on television video programs of that day, a number of years before the conception of MTV.
Two mixes were created for the song. In the album mix of 5:27, one can hear prominent Moog-synthesizer embellishments by session keyboardist Roger Powell. The single mix of 3:50 downmixes considerably the synthesizer, in place of a much warmer and predominant string arrangement by Ken Ascher. This mix also edits out and removes the first lyrical bridge of the song which includes the line, "There ain't no Coupe de Ville hiding at the bottom of a Cracker Jack
Cracker Jack
Cracker Jack is a U.S. brand of snack consisting of strong molasses flavored candy-coated popcorn and peanuts, well known for being packaged with a prize of nominal value inside. Some food historians consider it the first junk food...
box", and does some overlapping, splicing and editing to seamlessly merge back into the second part of the lyrical bridge, starting with, "I can't lie, I can't tell you that I'm something I'm not." Yet, another lyrical edit in the last verse removes the lines, "And though I know I'll never get her out of my heart, she never loved me back, Ooh I know, well I remember how she left me on a stormy night, oh she kissed me and got out of our bed." Lastly, a song fade-out beginning in the middle of the ending chorus' second refrain is also featured, hence removing the full-circle lyrics of "Baby we can talk all night, but that ain't getting us nowhere," that both started and ended the song, in its full album mix version.
Subsequent versions
The Nitty Gritty Dirt BandNitty Gritty Dirt Band
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since its founding in Long Beach, California in 1966. The group's membership has had at least a dozen changes over the years, including a period from 1976 to 1981 when the band performed and recorded...
did a modified version of the song on their 1984 album Plain Dirt Fashion
Plain Dirt Fashion
Plain Dirt Fashion is an album by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band which was released in 1984 by the record label Warner Bros. Records. This album went to #8 on the US Country charts. The three singles from this album all charted in the top 3. "Long Hard Road " went to 1, "I Love Only You" went to 3,...
. The Dirt Band's version shortens the second and third verses and makes minor changes to the lyrics to give the song more of a country feel.
It was later covered by Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
, produced by Steinman and his partner Steven Rinkoff
Steven Rinkoff
Steven Rinkoff is a Grammy Award–winning record producer, mixer, and sound engineer, best known for his work with songwriter-producer Jim Steinman...
, on her 1996 Free Spirit album.
Canadian country music singer Julian Austin
Julian Austin (musician)
Julian Austin, born August 24, 1963 in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, is a country music singer. He has released more than fifteen singles in his native Canada, including the Number One hit "Little Ol' Kisses"...
performed a cover for his 1997 debut album What My Heart Already Knows
What My Heart Already Knows
What My Heart Already Knows is the debut album by Canadian country music artist Julian Austin. It was released by ViK. Recordings on May 6, 1997...
and reached No. 10 on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Top Country Tracks charts. Unlike the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Austin sings the actual version of the song recorded by Meat Loaf 20 years earlier.
Country music singer Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson is an American Grammy Award nominated country music artist. Signed to BNA Records in 2005, Johnson made his debut with his single "The Dollar," the title track to his 2006 album The Dollar...
performed a version for The Imus Ranch Record II released in 2010.
Meat Loaf version
| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart | 25 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
32 |
| U.S. 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... |
11 |
Bonnie Tyler version
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Airplay | 10 |