When Meat Loaf sang "I would do anything for love but I won't do that", what exactly was "that"? What would he not do?

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Kwek00 · 41-45, M

Leave her...
I think that's the only Meat Loaf song, where Jim Steinmans' character actually loves a woman on a deeper level.

… After a while you'll forget everything
It was a brief interlude and a midsummer night's fling
And you'll see that it's time to move on

No, I won't do that
I won't do that

… I know the territory, I've been around
It'll all turn to dust and we'll all fall down
Sooner or later you'll be screwing around

… I won't do that
No, I won't do
… Anything for love
Oh, I would do anything for love
I would do anything for love
but I won't do that
No, I won't do that

KarenKC · 56-60, F

@Kwek00 It's a long song and I'm sure it's more complex than that.

Kwek00 · 41-45, M

@KarenKC I'm not sure... I just think he answers it in the end. The lyrics are just there.
If you want to have a better ambiguous song from Meat Loaf, you should listen too: "I’d Lie for You (and That’s the Truth)"

swirlie · 31-35

@KarenKC
A song is only as complex as you want it to be, KarenKC. Your song in question however, is really a very simple song with a very simple lyric with a very simple message. I think @Kwek00 explained the true meaning of it very clearly to you.

KarenKC · 56-60, F

@Kwek00 I know that one as well.

HootyTheNightOwl · 41-45

@Kwek00 Lol, I had an ex who decided that I'd lie for you (and that's the truth) was "our song".

I don't usually get into that nonsense myself.

Kwek00 · 41-45, M

@HootyTheNightOwl " I'd lie for you (and that's the truth)" ... doesn't promise much good Hooty.

HootyTheNightOwl · 41-45

@Kwek00 He wasn't much good, either.

Kwek00 · 41-45, M

@HootyTheNightOwl

He wants you,
He needs you,
But there ain't no way he's ever going to love you,
But don't be sad...
'cause 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

HootyTheNightOwl · 41-45

@Kwek00 Nah, he didn't want me... he wanted someone he could abuse and manipulate.

Kwek00 · 41-45, M

@HootyTheNightOwl Well yeah... That's fairly close to what the original song is about.

Nightwings · 31-35, F

@Kwek00 I agree with you, but it was never really clear to me. I've probably listened to the extended version more than 30 times, I was obsessed with Meat Loaf in my youth lol. My favorite song is "If I Can't Have You" although "I’d Lie for You" is up there for me too. =D

Kwek00 · 41-45, M

@Nightwings That can be... but the clue comes at the ending, I can understand people might have missed it. Just like a lot of people seem to miss, that the guy ain't happy with his girlfriend at the end of "paradise by the dashboard light".