Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through

Infobox Single
Name = Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through


Artist = Meat Loaf
from Album =
Released = 1993
Format = Vinyl, CD, Cassette
Recorded = Ocean Way Recording (LA)
Genre = Piano Rock, Wagnerian Rock
Length = 5:50
Label = MCA
Writer = Jim Steinman
Producer = Jim Steinman
Certification =
Last single = "Bat out of Hell"
(re-release)
(1993)
This single = "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through"
(1993)
Next single = "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are"
(1993)

"Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" is a song composed and written by Jim Steinman. It first featured on the 1981 album "Bad for Good", with lead vocals by Rory Dodd. It was later recorded by Meat Loaf, and released in 1993 as the third single from the album "". When released, the single reached #11 in the UK and #13 in the U.S.

Music and lyrics

"Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" is a paean 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."

Music video

The video 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 disfigured fortuneteller who tries to comfort a recently runaway teenager (played by Angelina Jolie). Meat loaf's character protects her from gangs and in the while tries to elope with her. He then, with various visions of the future at hand, interferes with the many horrible consequences at stake (for example, he protects a young boy from a car bomb). 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 Light". 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)".

Live variations

The song has been performed live various times since "Bat out of Hell II: Back into Hell"'s release. The song was featured on "Live Around The World" and a Live soundcheck appeared on the MAXI single. It was recently performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra 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 recently showcased in the DVD "3 Bats Live" with performance by Meat Loaf in London, Ontario in 2007.