Dead Ringer (album)

Dead Ringer is the second studio album by Meat Loaf released in September 1981. It is the second of four albums written entirely by Jim Steinman.[1] The album cover was designed by comic book artist and horror illustrator Bernie Wrightson.

For the RJD2 album, see Deadringer (album).
Dead Ringer
Studio album by
Meat Loaf
ReleasedSeptember 4, 1981
RecordedFebruary–June 1981
GenreRock
Length42:10
LabelEpic
ProducerStephan Galfas, Jimmy Iovine, Meat Loaf, Jim Steinman
Meat Loaf chronology
Bat Out of Hell
(1977)		 Dead Ringer
(1981)		 Midnight at the Lost and Found
(1983)

Album background

Steinman started to work on Bad for Good, the album that was supposed to be the follow-up to 1977's Bat Out of Hell, in 1978. During that time, a combination of touring, drugs and exhaustion had caused Meat Loaf to lose his voice.[1] Without a singer, and pressured by the record company, Steinman decided that he should sing on Bad for Good himself, and write a new album for Meat Loaf. This album was Dead Ringer, which was later released in 1981, after the release of Bad for Good.

After playing the role of Travis Redfish in the movie Roadie (which had cameos by Debbie Harry, Roy Orbison and Hank Williams, Jr., but was still a box office flop), Meat Loaf got his voice back, got off drugs, played softball, and started to work on his new album in 1980. Steinman had written five new songs which, in addition to a new, re-recorded version of "More Than You Deserve" (which Meat Loaf had sung in the musical with the same name) and a reworked monologue, formed the album Dead Ringer. The album was produced by Meat Loaf and Stephan Galfas, with backing tracks produced by Jimmy Iovine and Steinman. In 1976, Meat Loaf appeared on the track "Keeper Keep Us" from the Intergalactic Touring Band's self-titled album, which was produced by Galfas.

Four singles were released from Dead Ringer: "Dead Ringer for Love" (featuring Cher), "I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us", "Read 'Em and Weep" and "Peel Out". The album reached number 1 in the UK.[2]

The tour for this album also marked the beginning of his long-running collaboration with pianist Paul Jacobs, as both sideman and songwriter.

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic link
Rolling Stone[1]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jim Steinman.

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Peel Out"6:30
2."I'm Gonna Love Her for Both of Us"7:09
3."More than You Deserve"7:02
Side two
No.TitleLength
4."I'll Kill You if You Don't Come Back"6:24
5."Read 'Em and Weep"5:25
6."Nocturnal Pleasure" (Monologue by Steinman)0:38
7."Dead Ringer for Love"4:21
8."Everything Is Permitted"4:41

Personnel

Arrangements
  • Roy Bittan – co-arranger
  • Tom Malone – horn arrangements (7)
  • Alden Shuman, Roy Straigis – string arrangements (3, 8)

Band

Charts and certifications

References
  1. Puterbaugh, Parke (November 26, 1981). "Dead Ringer". Rolling Stone.
  2. Bogdanov, Vladimir (2002). All music guide to rock : the definitive guide to rock, pop, and soul (3. ed.). San Francisco, California: Backbeat Books. p. 718. ISBN 087930653X. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. p. 196. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  4. "Dutchcharts.nl – Meat Loaf – Dead Ringer" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  5. "Offiziellecharts.de – Meat Loaf – Dead Ringer" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  6. "Charts.nz – Meat Loaf – Dead Ringer". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  7. "Norwegiancharts.com – Meat Loaf – Dead Ringer". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  8. "Swedishcharts.com – Meat Loaf – Dead Ringer". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  9. "Meat Loaf | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  10. "Meat Loaf Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  11. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2017 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
  12. "Canadian album certifications – Meat Loaf – Dead Ringer". Music Canada.
  13. "British album certifications – Meat Loaf – Dead Ringer". British Phonographic Industry. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Dead Ringer in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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