Description[]
Jim Steinman often calls "For Crying Out Loud" his favorite of all the songs he's written. It is about loving someone because they're not afraid to cry. In 1978, after a performance of this song, rock legend Billy Joel gave a standing ovation. Although this led to a turning point in the album's success, Meat Loaf would not sing it live again until 2004. (A version appears on 1996's Live Around the World, but there is no audience.)
Versions[]
An unidentified vocalist with Jim Steinman on piano and backing vocals, on a demo recording for the musical Kid Champion
The Kid Champion demo tape also contains an up-tempo rock reprise of the song.
The Dream Engine in various live performances
Tyce Green at Paradise Found: The Lost Songs of Jim Steinman
Justin Sargent at Steinman Stripped: A Musical Tribute
Andrew Polec and Christina Bennington on Bat Out Of Hell The Musical : Original Cast Recording
Similar Songs[]
This song shares some musical elements with "Come With Me," "The Future Ain't What It Used to Be," and "Seize the Night."
Lyrics[]
I was lost till you were found
But I never know how far down
I was falling
Before I reached the bottom
I was cold and you were fire
And I never knew how the pyre
Could be burning
On the edge of the ice field
And now the chilly California wind
Is blowing down our bodies again
And we're sinking deeper and deeper in the chilly California sand
Oh I know you belong inside my aching heart
And can't you see my faded Levis bursting apart
And don't you hear me crying:
"Oh Babe, don't go"
And don't you hear me screaming
"How was I to know?"
I'm in the middle of nowhere
Near the end of the line
But there's a border to somewhere waiting
And there's a tankful of time
Oh give me just another moment to see the light of the day
And take me to another land where I don't have to stay
And I'm gonna need somebody to make me feel like you do
And I will receive somebody with open arms, open eyes
Open up the sky and let the planet that I love shine through
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you
I was damned and you were saved
And I never knew how enslaved
I was kneeling
In the chains of my master
I could laugh but you could cry
And I never knew just how high
I was flying
Ah, with you right above me
And now the chilly California wind
Is blowing down our bodies again
And we're sinking deeper and deeper in the chilly California sand
Oh I know you belong inside my aching heart
And can't you see my faded Levis bursting apart
And don't you hear me crying:
"Oh Babe, don't go"
And don't you hear me screaming
"How was I to know?"
I'm in the middle of nowhere
Near the end of the line
But there's a border to somewhere waiting
And there's a tankful of time
Oh give me just another moment to see the light of the day
And take me to another land where I don't have to stay
And I'm gonna need somebody to make me feel like you do
And I will receive somebody with open arms, open eyes
Open up the sky and let the planet that I love shine through
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For taking in the rain when I'm feeling so dry
For giving me the answers when I'm asking you why
My oh my
For that I thank you
For taking in the sun when I feel so cold
For giving me a child when my body is old
And don't you know
For that I need you
For coming to my room when you know I'm alone
For finding me a highway and for driving me home
And you got to know
For that I serve you
For pulling me away when I'm starting to fall
For revving me up when I'm starting to stall
And you got to know
For that I want you
For taking and for giving and for playing the game
For praying for my future in the days that remain
Oh Lord
For that I hold you
Ah, but most of all
For crying out loud
For that I love you
Ah, but most of all
For crying out loud
For that I love you
Ah, but most of all
For crying out loud
For that I love you
When you're crying out loud
You know I love you