Tribute to Jim Steinham, Rock God
“I want you (I want you)I need you (I need you)There ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love youNow don’t be sad (don’t be sad ’cause)‘Cause two out of three ain’t bad “
Lyric from Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad
To some readers, Jim Steinman’s name may not be immediately familiar, but if you say “the man who wrote the songs for Meat Loaf,” that usually changes things. In fact, he did far more. If you remember Total Eclipse of the Heart, sung by Bonnie Tyler, he wrote that—and many others.
A one‑day celebration of his work was held at the London Coliseum last week as a concert dedicated to his music. Most of the English National Opera orchestra were on stage, supported by a band that included the impressive Rob Barron on grand piano. Rather than relying on a single singer, or a fixed combination, the cast featured a variety of performers chosen to suit the different songs.
The history of Steinman and Meat Loaf stretches back to their first collaboration on Bat Out of Hell. Steinman had written the major songs earlier, based on the Neverland adaptation of the Peter Pan story. Although recorded in 1977, it was not until much later that the album took off, eventually selling over 43 million copies worldwide.
The partnership was not always smooth. In 1981 Steinman recorded a solo album, Bad for Good, which reinforced the view that he wrote songs best performed by others. A glance at his song list shows the range of his work. Over the years he would write a song for Meat Loaf, and out would come tracks such as Dead Ringer for Love, a duet with Cher.
Old age eventually took its toll on both of them—Meat Loaf died in January 2022, and Steinman a few months earlier in April 2021. What remains is a wealth of music spanning many decades.
Returning to the gala: this was a celebration of Steinman’s work, performed with commitment by the chosen singers. I especially valued Glenn Adamson, Natalie Paris and Red. The only sadness was that they weren’t the original singers with the sheer power and presence that both Steinman and Meat Loaf brought to their music when in full voice. I, like many others, miss their passing. We also wish a full recovery to Bonnie Tyler who at present is in an induced coma after Surgery in Portugal.
Malcolm Beckett has been reviewing theatre since 2017
Musical Numbers
Act One
Overture
Bad for Good
Good Girls Go to Heaven
Safe Sex
Tonight Is What It Means to be Young/
Dead Ringer for Love
Roll and Roll Dreams Come Through
Catwoman’s Song
Making Love Out of Nothing At All
Holding Out For a Hero
Act Two
Entr’acte
Bat Out of Hell
Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad
Paradise by the Dashboard Light
Ravishing
Pray Lewd
It’s All Coming Back To Me Now
I’d Do Anything For Love (But I won’t Do That)
Braver Than We Are
Total Eclipse of theHeart
Production Notes
Total Eclipse
Music by Jim Steinman
Directed by Christopher D Clegg
Cast
Starring:
Glenn Adamson
Christina Bianco
Zoe Birkett
Tyce Green
Karine Hannah
Natalie May Paris
Red
Danielle Steers
Robbie Waugh
Grant Zavitovsky
The Orchestra of the English National Opera
Conductor: Jack Bennett
Creatives
Director: Christopher D Clegg
Sound Designer: Harry Greatorex
Musical Supervisor: Tyce Green
Lighting Designer: Jack Weir
Musical Direction: Jack Bennett
New Arrangements and Orchestrations: Jack Bennett,
Andrew Jones and Will Parker
Information
Running Time: Three Hours with an interval
One Off Performance on 3rd May 2026
Theatre:
London Coliseum
St Martin’s Lane
London WC2N 4ES
Website:
londoncoliseum.org
Rail/Tube : Charing Cross
Reviewed by Malcolm Beckett at the
London Coliseum at the performance on
3rd May 2026