Some assorted thoughts on CHSIB... - Page 2

Gina · 08 May 2003, 02:29

Jules

Thanks!! I'm sure once T gets a load of me dancing..he'll probably sit me down pretty quick!!! I'm only 4'11" so I was too short for the boys to dance with! Never really learned how that well!! lol But..Maybe we'll give it a go! :P But don't hesitate to say..Hey G.. never mind.. sit down and enjoy the show!

Thanks to MB..I'll give this a go..
CHSIB..I won't take it song by song..but I really like that the songs all have their own style and feel. The vocals are powerful through out the whole CD! It's really all different from anything Meat has done in the past..and I think he wanted it that way! Kasim Sulton's influence is also prominent and that makes it all the more better! It was great to hear Pearl singing on Man Of Steel..she really has a unique voice that I really love. I'll miss her on the new tour. Tear Me Down with the spoken part! The CD doesn't do it justice..that's a song you MUST see live!! If I had to pick a favorite..I guess it would be a toss up between CHSIB and TMD! It's hard for me to choose at this point!
I'm looking forward to the tour!! Hope I can get to several shows!! It'll also be great to hear reviews and stories from fans that will get to see the tour so to so many cities! Thanks for letting me share! :) Take care..

Love and Laughs..
~Gina

Tim · 08 May 2003, 09:18

Testify is great... real gospel like, i think!! Cool song..... And yes, you can dance great on that song!!!

MBrevard · 08 May 2003, 10:32

Well, this place is beginning to feel like a party! I'm up for it--how 'bout the rest of you?

Terry, Jules! Thank you!!

An excellent point, Jules, about the strength (and the joy) of the individual songs, as well as the integrity of the album as a whole!! Well said, my friend!!

Terry, Tim--more votes for Testify!! All right!! That's just gotta be the next single released!! Dancing--Yes! Singing--Yes!! Sitting still--fo'get about it!!!!

By the way, Tim, do you have any idea how CHSIB did on the Dutch charts this past week? I haven't heard that yet. We were all hoping it would move up because of the Amsterdam concert.

Gina---YOU DID IT!! Way to go, girl!! I'm proud of you!

You know, I think that's what Meat is all about: Finding the courage and the strength to take on the challenges. To try to do the things you think you can't do. It doesn't really matter whether you succeed or fail after that--as long as you've done your best. It's the attempt that matters.

Hey, his new song Do It! becomes more central in the light of that philosophy, doesn't it?! Hummmm.

Good comments, Gina! Yes, indeed, Kasim's influence is heard throughout!! So glad he's still onboard for this upcoming tour--plus opening for Meat, when Cyndi Lauper isn't there!!!

It's a shame we won't be able to see Meat and Pearl singing together on Man of Steel live in concert. Wish they had managed to get it ready for the Friends tour last year. Ah well...

All right, Gina-- a vote for CHSIB and TMD. You definitely seem to be more into the performance songs! Don't blame you a bit on that!!

Hey, has anybody done this yet on a thread--favorite songs from the album, with someone keeping tabs on the results? Would a poll work for this--or is that too limiting?? What do you all think?

I'm getting VERY envious of all you lucky souls going to that Cleveland concert!! "Meeting of the Minds"?? Uh uh--"Meating of the Maniacs" is more like it, if you ask me!!

Thanks, guys!! Keep the party going!!

Much love,
MB
xxx

Bren · 08 May 2003, 12:09

Hi MB,agree with you on Testify, it should definately be the next single that would make people sit up and take notice! You simply can not sit still to that song and it's one of those songs that you can't get out of your head ( not that you'd want to!)
i feel that way about Decadent Wish too ,that's why i think it should be on the album,it's too good a song to be relagated to a B side.
As too where it would fit ,was not thinking along those lines ,merely on the songs own merit.I don't tend to think i n terms of a theme,i enjoy each song for it's own individual merit,qualities ,beauty etc rather than judging it in the context of a theme.

Bren · 08 May 2003, 12:32

Hi MB,
You'll get fed up with me! I don't have a problem with YRIWR .The lyrics are great it's just musically it lacks something.Even the quieter songs on the album like the lovely WITE are really powerful songs, YRIWR does not have this .Dotster got it spot on when she said "...the music was capable of more to do jutice to the lyrics..."that's exactly it.
i still like it as a song though.

Bart · 08 May 2003, 12:45

man of steel is my favorite. he sings it so great and the melody is moving me.

The music just before the duet opens the song and brings it to a higher level. Wow, Steinman couldn't have done it better himself

'
But the voice , the performing is outstanding.

Tim · 08 May 2003, 17:59

Well, MBrevard.... haven't got a clue!!! Saw nothing in the charts so....

mariella · 08 May 2003, 20:19

Hi everyone!

I read that the single is #43 in Holland, the album #38. Not as well as we hoped, but remember Meat is much, much 'bigger' (

) in both the UK and Germany. So, for Holland, this is not too bad. The only way is up!
In Holland it is very well possible to 'slowly' go into the top 10, and people tell me it is still on the radio a lot, so this is 'okay' for now.
Also the people I talked to really like CHSIB a lot! And they are all talking about the lottery-show!

MB, yes, we all seems to LOVE Testify! Cannot say it enough. Maybe it's too soon, with the release of the single CHSIB (I haven't given up on that one), but I just can't believe how much I love that song.
I have played it to all my friends, ofcourse, and they too, all love it.
Some time ago, I was travelling by train, listening to Testify, there were these 2 guys from Turkey!? who asked me 'what is that song you are playing, that's great'!
This song should be heard by all people all over this great world!!!

And this is just one song, because I also think LYOL, Because, Why, well, maybe every song on the album (no, not YRIWR or Do It, I think) is just as GOOD.

But when it comes to Testify, I have this 'very special feeling'.
Time will tell..

Good to be here!

Mariella

sherrie87 · 09 May 2003, 04:57

I have a very hard time picking a favorite song from CHSIB. At first it was CHSIB, then Testify, then Tear Me Down, Love You Out Loud, DIST, Man of Steel, Because of You....it seems to change ever time I listen to the CD. Today I was starting with Love You Out Loud, then on to Man of Steel, Testify and Tear Me Down, looping those 4 over and over. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to pick a favorite, but right now I'm just enjoying all of them so much I can't choose. It's been so long since we had a new Meat album, it's like having a fresh smorgasbord after surviving on leftovers for years. (Why does it always come back to food? Hmmmm...)

Sherrie

MBrevard · 09 May 2003, 12:19

Hi, everyone. Was away from my computer most of the day, except for the Sony Awards! Good to see more responses here.

Did you catch the Awards show? If not, it'll be repeated this morning. Pretty boring until Meat comes on and then....well, you can guess!!!

He's incredible!!

Bren, NO! I'll never get fed up with your posting!! Don't worry about it. I love what you have to say. So, it's the music component of YRIWW that bothers you and Dottie, not the lyrics. Well, you know, if Meat chooses to do it on tour, I'm sure it'll be very different to hear it sung live! He and the band often change the arrangements for the live shows. I would think they'd have to, actually. Different musicians, singers..live performance versus studio....It's always fun to hear what the songs become later, isn't it?!

Oh no, I'M not thinking about the upcoming concerts or anything like that!!!! Nope, not me!!

Bart: Thanks for your thoughts on MOS! I went back and listened to the part you wrote about. It IS beautiful!! Wish we could hear it sung live, don't you?

Mariella--this bunny's just for you!!

Thank you for the update on the Holland charts. That IS up from last week, right? I know that's what Meat expected to happen!

And no, I am not forgetting all the other terrific songs on CHSIB--How could I? I love so many of them! But you and I have spoken about this--we have special feelings for Testify and it's wonderful to see that so many others feel the same way!!

Sherrie: I know what you mean. It just feels SO good to have new songs to listen to, doesn't it! I think that was one reason I got such a strong reaction to Did I Say That? the first time I listened to it!! This glorious voice which has become SO familiar after listening to it for hours on end and all of a sudden, there's a song I don't know!!! Wonderful feeling--and another reason it played on endless loop for long time, while I learned it!! Nothing stays too new for long, does it!!! Well, not around here, I guess.

I'll never get tired of listening to the old ones, mind you! :P But it's nice to have new ones to add to the repertoire. And you're right. These songs do seem to fit with one's moods, so it's quite understandable that you would prefer one on one day and another (or two or three) the next!!

Friends, I have gotten some PMs from people asking me to explain what I was discussing in my second posting on this thread--What I feel is already working, and why I think it is so important we all keep talking about the album and expressing our feelings about it.

So, if no one minds, I'd like to go into that a bit more here, even if we do get a little metaphysical. Hey, some of you already know I'm a bit weird. I'm from California. What do you expect?! I guess no harm will be done then, if I continue on this subject. It'll just cement that thought in some of your minds.

)

Please bear with me for a few minutes while I try to put all this into words and images and then feel free to add your comments and feelings, if you'd like to...

I have this picture in my head. Let me see how well I can share it with you. I picture this MLUKFC forum as the resting place for a large pot. We (all of Meat's fans here) go into making this pot the size it is. Meat is the heating source. He's what gives it its initial energy. And our enthusiasm is the water inside. Is that clear so far?

As we, the pot, get excited about something our heat source is doing (in this case--and from now on in this example, we'll be talking about CHSIB), the water with our enthusiasm heats up, begins to boil, continues to boil higher and higher, until it splashes out...

It splashes onto others who are, perhaps, just finding their way to MLUKFC and then, they, too, become enthusiastic and excited about the new album. They join the pot, making it larger, making it overflow even more than before...

Eventually. the spillout becomes so great that it meets up with, say, David's site, which contains another pot, with the same heat source, bubbling and churning and also boiling over with the enthusiasm of the people who visit IT. And its boilover also touches others, making its pot larger and the spillover greater...

Then the spillover from both of those meets up with Eva's German website and that spillover finds it way to Jen's Multimedia site and Guppie's Dutch forum and OIFC's website and Vicki's site and on and on and on, each growing larger, each giving off more enthusiasm, bringing more and more people into this....

Okay. Everyone have the image now?

I don't know if Sherwin-Williams Paints is just a US product or if it is International. But they have a slogan here which is "Sherwin-Williams: Covers the Earth." And that is the extreme of what I'm talking about. No, we will never exactly cover the entire world, telling every single person in it about this album and how we feel about it, but working together like this, we can certainly reach a LOT more people than would have known about it if we hadn't been here.

People have been asking, during this time between singles, what can we do? The rerelease is coming. The album sales continue...

What we need to realize, though, friends, is that we--each one of us--have the power to spread the word, to share the excitement, the enthusiasm we feel for both this man and this album. It is that enthusiasm and energy which makes the pot(s) boil over and onto those who have yet to hear about them.

It is especially important to keep the talk going, to keep the positive feelings going about it, while the CD continues to be released in country after country. We know that new folks will be hearing the singles or cuts from the album and will begin to search for more information about it. They'll search to find out what others have to say, how others feel about it, to decide whether or not they, themselves, want to go out and purchase it.

Does the idea flow so far? (no pun intended, really)

I just flashed on a song from "Jesus Christ Superstar"--I don't know why--silly brain makes unexpected leaps all the time.... "What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happenin'. What's the buzz?..." Don't know if that really fits here or not, but....you get the idea. People will begin to come from these other countries, looking in places like this wonderful forum, for what each of us has to offer!!!

So, what has already been done, in terms of emails and phone calls, etc. is, in a very real sense, an example of sharing that excitement and our love for CHSIB. And that must continue, especially when the rerelease in the UK comes out! But what we are all doing HERE right now is EQUALLY vital--to keep that "buzz" going, as new people keep coming, and they WILL keep coming, friends. We see that here every day. And as I said in the earlier post, not only here, but all the flourishing ML websites, forums, messageboards, mailing lists around the net.

We must keep the pot boiling wherever and whenever we can. And obviously, we need to think larger than the net, as we have been. We need to remember to take this back to our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities, the streets in our towns, and continue the process there.

If you don't believe or want to accept what I'm saying here--that just enthusiasm and excitement can make a difference and have a major effect on CHSIB's chances for continued success around the world, let's look at a perfect example of it that Meat just gave us yesterday at the Sony Awards.

I found the show, for the most part, to be laid back, calm--I hate to use the word and I don't mean to be insulting, but it was BORING, for the most part. There were no rousing speeches made, only a few halfway amusing jokes...it would have been easy to fall asleep during--in fact, we did here, for a very short time. (Hate to admit that, too, but it's true!)

And then, all of a sudden, who walks in and takes over the stage:

Then...

BAM....

Everthing changed. The energy changed. The entire feeling, the mood of the show changed and more importantly, remained changed for the rest of the ceremony (thanks to Grace Jones, as well)!

Meat's excitement and joy of life and his ability to share the sense of fun and laughter was contagious! It filled that hall!! It went so far as to fill and overflow onto all of us who were watching it from our computers!!

I felt alive again!! Didn't you have that same reaction??!! I mean, what a difference!!!

You see what I'm trying to say? And the real joy of it is that EACH OF US has that SAME ability to give off that much enthusiam, that much excitement about Meat and this project! And whoever comes here (or any of the other places we share these feelings) will catch that 'buzz' and give off some of their own!!! And theirs will bring others in and so on....

Now, as I said earlier, this is sort of metaphysical in nature, but take a few moments and think about it, and think about the power we DO have to help Meat with this album in the coming weeks and months. But it's important, first, to believe in this and the power we have. It IS real. It IS already working and has been since the first release of the single and the album!!

It's also extremely important to try to keep things as POSITIVE as possible. Negative feelings and emotions can also get transferred, and they are not what Meat needs from us right now. They will not help the cause.

Now, I'm not saying that any of this should be phony. That's counterproductive, too. It HAS to be real. It has to be from the heart, which shouldn't be a problem for most of us. It is, indeed, what we already feel inside.

So, we should try to stay positive, emphasize the positive feelings we have, finds ways to reverse the negatives which come our way, because positives will do the most good for him and CHSIB.

I recently heard a rumor that the release of the CD may, once again be delayed in the US. I'm hoping and praying that isn't true, as the band begins rehearsal this week and Meat will join them in another week or so, to begin getting ready for the upcoming tour.

I feel SO bad and sad for him, if this happens! He's filling concert venues with thousands of people, each of whom would probably go out to the stands and buy a copy of the album right then and there!! And what about local promotion, which he will probably be doing? It's not easy to tell people, "Hey, go out and buy this CD--in another 2 or 3 months!!" That's not like looking at the camera or talking in the mike and saying, "HEY, go down to your local record store right now and buy this thing!!!"

You know what I mean?! All these potentially lost opportunities....

Thinking about it now (hindsight is always 20/20--isn't that the expression?), the upcoming tour should have been totally reversed. Meat is needed RIGHT NOW in the UK and Europe, to help with album sales by doing promotions. He needs to continue to do exactly what he is right now. And that's gotta be why he's staying there as long as he is--mid-May, just 4 weeks or so before the US tour starts.

He also needs to be going to the various countries and doing more promotions as CHSIB is released there...

So, I suppose, he should have done the US part of the tour when the CD came out over here--later in the year. But then, who knew that it was going to work out this way?? And I'm sure, once they did, some of the venues had already been selected and finalized...so....this is the way it is.

And yet, to show that negatives CAN almost always be turned to positives, this is not a hopeless situation. It's not the best news, but still, every person who attends one or more of these early concerts and listens to some of the new songs, as well as other folks who learn that a new Meat Loaf CD is coming, will become SEEDS. They may eventually go out and buy it when it's available. But that's where WE come in again, dear friends. It will be up to US, with our 'boiling pots of enthusiasm' from what we are doing here and in our communities, to help keep these seeds well-watered!! (Oh, don't you just LOVE it when extended metaphors work out??!!!

)

So do you see how important all this becomes?!!! Do you see how important each one of us can be to this project? Can you feel the power?

During these past few weeks, the creativity in people here has astounded me! They've been showing us all sorts of ways our feelings can be shared: Chris playing the album 13 hours straight in his store. People driving around their towns, with the music blasting from their cars. Fans continuing to request it be played in record shops and pubs and anywhere else they can manage it....you know all this already. This is nothing new and there are plenty of other threads in this forum where you can see what's been done and needs to continue to be done.

But, we MUSTN'T FORGET that another part is also vital and that is to continue these conversations, these reviews, these discussions where we each share our feelings, our thoughts, our enthusiasm and excitement for this album -- as the Beatles sang, "Here, There and Everywhere." This is something every ML fan can do in the days and weeks ahead!

So, this is what I meant the other day and what I was hinting at, that got some peoples' curiousity up enough to write to me about it. This IS already working, friends. You just have to believe in it, accept it and keep doing it!! It does work! And Meat, himself, showed us this answer. We had only to see it and realize it!!

As always, looking forward to your comments and opinions on this and ALL topics relating to this thread!

Sending much love to each of you,
MB
xxx

mariella · 09 May 2003, 16:25

Hi MB,

Always a pleasure to read your posts! You have such a beautiful way of describing what you feel, that is a gift. Once again, thank you for putting into words what I felt for some time now.

This IS happening and I CAN feel it!! This 'movement' that started a few weeks ago, is already 'an army of love'. Not all of us may operate from this site, that's also very good, the more places 'we spread the word', the better!!

Proud to call myself one of your biggest fans. Funny thing for me to say because I feel all people are equal. And I gues you would say 'this is not about me" and you are right. It's about these precious songs.

So let these songs be heard. Spread the word!!! I am turning into 'some kind of priest' here, this is also quite funny

Right now, I am playing Do It!
After a few minutes I will listen to some other music, but like you said MB, if I can get into Do It, there must be hope for YRIWR!!!

Great day to you,

Mariella

MBrevard · 09 May 2003, 21:48

Thanks, Nariella, for your very kind words and for your never-ending enthusiasm!! It means a lot to me and to everyone here.

But you make a very good point. We ARE all equal here. We are all just good soldiers in Meat's army. We all have our 'jobs' to do, whichever ones we choose to make our own. And no one's job is any more important than anyone else's!!! This is real teamwork!!

Good things for all of us to remember!

Much love to everyone,
MB
xxx

badger · 09 May 2003, 21:58

Ok i am going to stick my neck out here!!!

I know it is a cover, but I really think one of my absolute favourite songs on the album is Forever Young.

I love the original but i think the cover is even better, it really seems to suit Meat's voice. Somehow if Meat really fels a song you just can't seperate his voice and the song if you know what i mean. You don't think 'Meat is singing a good song', it is more like he is actually just singing his thoughts to you.

He is an amazing man!!!

MBrevard · 10 May 2003, 11:54

Hi, Badger! Welcome and thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

No, I don't think you're sticking your neck out by saying you really enjoy Forever Young! A lot of folks would agree with you.

I've found that there is certainly something quite satisfying in it. Something very calming to me.

And I can picture it being sung in concert with the audience either singing along, or just sort of swaying to it, if you can see that in your mind....

And it's a perfect ending for this CD. And quite a lovely message that Meat wanted to leave his fans with!!!

What a terrific comment about not being able to separate Meat's voice from the song. I really like that image! I understand entirely what you're trying to say!! And I couldn't agree more that Meat doesn't just sing a song--he performs it with his entire heart and soul!!

He's one-of-a-kind, Badger!!

Have you ever had the pleasure of seeing him perform live? And will you be going to any of the concerts in the upcoming tour??

Thanks for keeping the conversation going!!

Love,
MB
xxx

Tim · 10 May 2003, 13:17

Mbrevard may post not so much.... but when she posts.... pfffff... they are hugh!!!!

dottie · 10 May 2003, 17:56

Badger _ I agree with you totally - I love Forever Young probably because it just about sums all my feelings about music and life in general and I have lived quite a long time

This one song can lift me so high when I'm feeling slightly below par and depressed

meshurp · 10 May 2003, 19:13

Thanks MB!

I've been busy with school

so i've only just read your post! i have to say i also end up with the continuos looping of different songs so i don't think it at all wierd!

at the moment my favs have to be Testify and LYOL they just cheer me up! when im feeling glum when i get in from school i stick these two tracks on and end up feeling full of bounce. the best way to discribe them is "ummphy!" if you know what i mean, you just cant sit still to them.

MBrevard · 11 May 2003, 12:05

Good morning, everyone! (Well, it's early morning here in California!!

)

To Tim:

That is probably the SHORTEST post you'll ever see from me, mister!!!

Enjoy it!! (And read some of the longer ones, too, will ya??!!

)

Hi, Dottie! I know we're all going to get so sick of this response-- C.H.S.I.B.[M.]!! (Think I'll just abbreviate it from now on. Everyone understands it, anyway.)

Love ya, lady!!!

HI, Meshurp Werfifer!!!!! I'm SO glad to hear from you again! How's school? And how's your mom doing?

You certainly picked my two favorites from the album right now!! Both those songs are almost always playing here these days. Find that I've been listening more to Testify right now. Don't know why. But it's to the point where I'm ready to start calling ML--"Brother Meat"!

Don't know how HE'd feel about it, though!

Hope you're still spreading the "gospel" at school and with your friends!! Haven't asked you if you'll be going to any of the concerts with your mom. Hope so!! It's only fair since you turned HER onto him several years ago!

Hugs to everyone there!

Thanks, everyone, for keeping the positive talk going!!

Love to you all,
MB
xxx

Tim · 11 May 2003, 12:27

Heheeh MBrevard....

The shortest post of you??? Okay.. and sure i will read the longer ones... He... but talk to you soon he, by mail!!!

The Butcher, TIm

meshurp · 11 May 2003, 16:38

HI again MB!!

Schools awful....i'm taking my maths GCSE a year early

and Meats music is the only thing stopping me going mad!

......

i think LYOL is kinda being played more than testify, but thats only because its the first of the two to appearon the CD, i get to that piont and oput it on repeat and sort of forget about the rest of the CD for a bit (bad meshurp!)

We are all going to one of the concerts in birmingham in november!!

oh! and on wednesday i managed to convert another of my freind to Meat Loaf.

by playing meatloaf constantly all the while she was round my house!!!

Bye mee.

badger · 12 May 2003, 01:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by meshurp werfifer

oh! and on wednesday i managed to convert another of my freind to Meat Loaf.

by playing meatloaf constantly all the while she was round my house!!!

Don't you love it when someone starts liking Meat? My girlfriend was very sceptical, but when I got tickets to Hyde Park I persuaded her to come and now she thinks he is the coolest guy in music! She's coming with me to London now and has started borrowing my albums (although I think I will have to get her some so I don't keep losing them!)

The Meat revolution is upon us!

MBrevard · 12 May 2003, 17:24

Hi, Meshurp Werfifer. I didn't realize you could take your GCSEs early. We don't really have them in this country. It's been a LONG time since I've been there, but we do have something called SATs instead. Not sure if they are the equivalents or not to what you are taking. Is this something you elect to do or your teachers, classes, allow/invite you to do early?

Best of luck to you in the exams. I'm sure you'll do well. Sounds like you're really hitting the books to get ready for it!!

That's wonderful news about Birmingham. Hope you and your mom will both give reviews of the concert here at the forum in the autumn!!

I know what you mean about Meat's music helping you through the bad times. I'm sure everyone has their own stories of how the older songs have been there for them, and are developing ones for these new songs from CHSIB, as you are. Heaven knows, he's helped me through enough of them here, and continues to, I might add!!

There's just something about the music, and the man, himself--which gives one the strength, the courage--and sometimes, just the stamina--to keep on trying, keep on fighting, keep on going, isn't there?!!! And sometimes, meshurp werfifer, it's just a lovely escape from the torments and trials we're put on this earth to go through!!

Hope he continues to help you there. Keep us informed on how it's going!

And to you AND Badger, congrats on continuing to bring new Meaty fans to the fold!!

Badger, I like your attitude--a LOT!! Meat Loaf Revolution!! YES!! Where are my knitting needles?? Gotta get those bad reviewers' names down! (Sorry. Just reread "Tale of Two Cities" a little while ago and it's still on my mind when someone mentions a revolution!!)

If your girlfriend is connected to the net, be sure to guide her in the direction of the forum! It'll be wonderful having both of you here!

Take good care, everyone. Hope your day is off to a great start!!

Love to all,
MB
xxx

meshurp · 12 May 2003, 19:58

Welcome to the meatloaf fan recrutmant agency, we will turn you to the way of the Mighty Meat!

Hi MB,

we do SATs as well as GCSEs!

we only have the option of doing our maths early, we get to choise whether we want to do it or not(with the approval ofour teacher) out of a year of around 200 poeple only twelve of us are doing it this year!

(oh help im insane!!!!!!!!!)3 week until i fail.

8th row at birmingham!!!!

badger · 12 May 2003, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBrevard

Badger, I like your attitude--a LOT!! Meat Loaf Revolution!! YES!! Where are my knitting needles?? Gotta get those bad reviewers' names down! (Sorry. Just reread "Tale of Two Cities" a little while ago and it's still on my mind when someone mentions a revolution!!)

If your girlfriend is connected to the net, be sure to guide her in the direction of the forum! It'll be wonderful having both of you here!

Thanks

It is always interesting to read your posts.

I am working on a personal internet revolution for my girlfriend at the mo :)

Bren · 13 May 2003, 17:20

An alternative review of Testify

Testify,well what can i say,
It lights up my life and brightens my day.
I listen once,then have to have more,
I can't keep still, so i dance round the floor.
Icollide with the unit and trip over the cat
Amid cries of "at your age you should know better than that"!!!
Iforget the bruises,the aches and the sores
And play it continuously whilst doing the chores.
If i iron whilst listening to Heaven can Wait
The ironing gets done.....but the pace is sedate.
If i iron whilst listening to Testify
The ironing gets done in the blink of an eye!
Calling the kids at crack of dawn
Is usually met with a series of groans and a yawn
But play TESTIFY full volume at 6am
They're out of bed before you can count to ten!!!

This is on topic but as its in verse was not sure if i should post it here.If you decide to move it to little poets thats fine.

08 May 2003, 20:19	#33
mariella Mega Loafer Join Date: 04.02.2003 Location: Holland Posts: 4,063	Hi everyone! I read that the single is #43 in Holland, the album #38. Not as well as we hoped, but remember Meat is much, much 'bigger' () in both the UK and Germany. So, for Holland, this is not too bad. The only way is up! In Holland it is very well possible to 'slowly' go into the top 10, and people tell me it is still on the radio a lot, so this is 'okay' for now. Also the people I talked to really like CHSIB a lot! And they are all talking about the lottery-show! MB, yes, we all seems to LOVE Testify! Cannot say it enough. Maybe it's too soon, with the release of the single CHSIB (I haven't given up on that one), but I just can't believe how much I love that song. I have played it to all my friends, ofcourse, and they too, all love it. Some time ago, I was travelling by train, listening to Testify, there were these 2 guys from Turkey!? who asked me 'what is that song you are playing, that's great'! This song should be heard by all people all over this great world!!! And this is just one song, because I also think LYOL, Because, Why, well, maybe every song on the album (no, not YRIWR or Do It, I think) is just as GOOD. But when it comes to Testify, I have this 'very special feeling'. Time will tell.. Good to be here! Mariella

08 May 2003, 02:29	#26
Gina Senior Loafer Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: North Carolina, US Posts: 152	Jules Thanks!! I'm sure once T gets a load of me dancing..he'll probably sit me down pretty quick!!! I'm only 4'11" so I was too short for the boys to dance with! Never really learned how that well!! lol But..Maybe we'll give it a go! :P But don't hesitate to say..Hey G.. never mind.. sit down and enjoy the show! Thanks to MB..I'll give this a go.. CHSIB..I won't take it song by song..but I really like that the songs all have their own style and feel. The vocals are powerful through out the whole CD! It's really all different from anything Meat has done in the past..and I think he wanted it that way! Kasim Sulton's influence is also prominent and that makes it all the more better! It was great to hear Pearl singing on Man Of Steel..she really has a unique voice that I really love. I'll miss her on the new tour. Tear Me Down with the spoken part! The CD doesn't do it justice..that's a song you MUST see live!! If I had to pick a favorite..I guess it would be a toss up between CHSIB and TMD! It's hard for me to choose at this point! I'm looking forward to the tour!! Hope I can get to several shows!! It'll also be great to hear reviews and stories from fans that will get to see the tour so to so many cities! Thanks for letting me share! :) Take care.. Love and Laughs.. ~Gina

08 May 2003, 09:18	#27
Tim The Butcher Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Westervoort, The Netherlands Posts: 10,321	Testify is great... real gospel like, i think!! Cool song..... And yes, you can dance great on that song!!!

08 May 2003, 10:32	#28
MBrevard Super Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2003 Location: Deceased Posts: 761	Well, this place is beginning to feel like a party! I'm up for it--how 'bout the rest of you? Terry, Jules! Thank you!! An excellent point, Jules, about the strength (and the joy) of the individual songs, as well as the integrity of the album as a whole!! Well said, my friend!! Terry, Tim--more votes for Testify!! All right!! That's just gotta be the next single released!! Dancing--Yes! Singing--Yes!! Sitting still--fo'get about it!!!! By the way, Tim, do you have any idea how CHSIB did on the Dutch charts this past week? I haven't heard that yet. We were all hoping it would move up because of the Amsterdam concert. Gina---YOU DID IT!! Way to go, girl!! I'm proud of you! You know, I think that's what Meat is all about: Finding the courage and the strength to take on the challenges. To try to do the things you think you can't do. It doesn't really matter whether you succeed or fail after that--as long as you've done your best. It's the attempt that matters. Hey, his new song Do It! becomes more central in the light of that philosophy, doesn't it?! Hummmm. Good comments, Gina! Yes, indeed, Kasim's influence is heard throughout!! So glad he's still onboard for this upcoming tour--plus opening for Meat, when Cyndi Lauper isn't there!!! It's a shame we won't be able to see Meat and Pearl singing together on Man of Steel live in concert. Wish they had managed to get it ready for the Friends tour last year. Ah well... All right, Gina-- a vote for CHSIB and TMD. You definitely seem to be more into the performance songs! Don't blame you a bit on that!! Hey, has anybody done this yet on a thread--favorite songs from the album, with someone keeping tabs on the results? Would a poll work for this--or is that too limiting?? What do you all think? I'm getting VERY envious of all you lucky souls going to that Cleveland concert!! "Meeting of the Minds"?? Uh uh--"Meating of the Maniacs" is more like it, if you ask me!! Thanks, guys!! Keep the party going!! Much love, MB xxx

08 May 2003, 12:09	#29
Bren The Bat Join Date: 23.03.2003 Location: Roosting on a Silver-Black Phantom Bike. Posts: 10,017	Hi MB,agree with you on Testify, it should definately be the next single that would make people sit up and take notice! You simply can not sit still to that song and it's one of those songs that you can't get out of your head ( not that you'd want to!) i feel that way about Decadent Wish too ,that's why i think it should be on the album,it's too good a song to be relagated to a B side. As too where it would fit ,was not thinking along those lines ,merely on the songs own merit.I don't tend to think i n terms of a theme,i enjoy each song for it's own individual merit,qualities ,beauty etc rather than judging it in the context of a theme.

08 May 2003, 12:32	#30
Bren The Bat Join Date: 23.03.2003 Location: Roosting on a Silver-Black Phantom Bike. Posts: 10,017	Hi MB, You'll get fed up with me! I don't have a problem with YRIWR .The lyrics are great it's just musically it lacks something.Even the quieter songs on the album like the lovely WITE are really powerful songs, YRIWR does not have this .Dotster got it spot on when she said "...the music was capable of more to do jutice to the lyrics..."that's exactly it. i still like it as a song though.

08 May 2003, 12:45	#31
Bart Bald Mega Loafer Join Date: 06.03.2003 Location: Holland, but I prefer Greece Posts: 2,243	man of steel is my favorite. he sings it so great and the melody is moving me. The music just before the duet opens the song and brings it to a higher level. Wow, Steinman couldn't have done it better himself ' But the voice , the performing is outstanding.

08 May 2003, 17:59	#32
Tim The Butcher Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Westervoort, The Netherlands Posts: 10,321	Well, MBrevard.... haven't got a clue!!! Saw nothing in the charts so....

09 May 2003, 04:57	#34
sherrie87 Mega Loafer Join Date: 20.02.2003 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 1,262	I have a very hard time picking a favorite song from CHSIB. At first it was CHSIB, then Testify, then Tear Me Down, Love You Out Loud, DIST, Man of Steel, Because of You....it seems to change ever time I listen to the CD. Today I was starting with Love You Out Loud, then on to Man of Steel, Testify and Tear Me Down, looping those 4 over and over. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to pick a favorite, but right now I'm just enjoying all of them so much I can't choose. It's been so long since we had a new Meat album, it's like having a fresh smorgasbord after surviving on leftovers for years. (Why does it always come back to food? Hmmmm...) Sherrie

09 May 2003, 12:19	#35
MBrevard Super Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2003 Location: Deceased Posts: 761	Hi, everyone. Was away from my computer most of the day, except for the Sony Awards! Good to see more responses here. Did you catch the Awards show? If not, it'll be repeated this morning. Pretty boring until Meat comes on and then....well, you can guess!!! He's incredible!! Bren, NO! I'll never get fed up with your posting!! Don't worry about it. I love what you have to say. So, it's the music component of YRIWW that bothers you and Dottie, not the lyrics. Well, you know, if Meat chooses to do it on tour, I'm sure it'll be very different to hear it sung live! He and the band often change the arrangements for the live shows. I would think they'd have to, actually. Different musicians, singers..live performance versus studio....It's always fun to hear what the songs become later, isn't it?! Oh no, I'M not thinking about the upcoming concerts or anything like that!!!! Nope, not me!! Bart: Thanks for your thoughts on MOS! I went back and listened to the part you wrote about. It IS beautiful!! Wish we could hear it sung live, don't you? Mariella--this bunny's just for you!! Thank you for the update on the Holland charts. That IS up from last week, right? I know that's what Meat expected to happen! And no, I am not forgetting all the other terrific songs on CHSIB--How could I? I love so many of them! But you and I have spoken about this--we have special feelings for Testify and it's wonderful to see that so many others feel the same way!! Sherrie: I know what you mean. It just feels SO good to have new songs to listen to, doesn't it! I think that was one reason I got such a strong reaction to Did I Say That? the first time I listened to it!! This glorious voice which has become SO familiar after listening to it for hours on end and all of a sudden, there's a song I don't know!!! Wonderful feeling--and another reason it played on endless loop for long time, while I learned it!! Nothing stays too new for long, does it!!! Well, not around here, I guess. I'll never get tired of listening to the old ones, mind you! :P But it's nice to have new ones to add to the repertoire. And you're right. These songs do seem to fit with one's moods, so it's quite understandable that you would prefer one on one day and another (or two or three) the next!! Friends, I have gotten some PMs from people asking me to explain what I was discussing in my second posting on this thread--What I feel is already working, and why I think it is so important we all keep talking about the album and expressing our feelings about it. So, if no one minds, I'd like to go into that a bit more here, even if we do get a little metaphysical. Hey, some of you already know I'm a bit weird. I'm from California. What do you expect?! I guess no harm will be done then, if I continue on this subject. It'll just cement that thought in some of your minds. ) Please bear with me for a few minutes while I try to put all this into words and images and then feel free to add your comments and feelings, if you'd like to... I have this picture in my head. Let me see how well I can share it with you. I picture this MLUKFC forum as the resting place for a large pot. We (all of Meat's fans here) go into making this pot the size it is. Meat is the heating source. He's what gives it its initial energy. And our enthusiasm is the water inside. Is that clear so far? As we, the pot, get excited about something our heat source is doing (in this case--and from now on in this example, we'll be talking about CHSIB), the water with our enthusiasm heats up, begins to boil, continues to boil higher and higher, until it splashes out... It splashes onto others who are, perhaps, just finding their way to MLUKFC and then, they, too, become enthusiastic and excited about the new album. They join the pot, making it larger, making it overflow even more than before... Eventually. the spillout becomes so great that it meets up with, say, David's site, which contains another pot, with the same heat source, bubbling and churning and also boiling over with the enthusiasm of the people who visit IT. And its boilover also touches others, making its pot larger and the spillover greater... Then the spillover from both of those meets up with Eva's German website and that spillover finds it way to Jen's Multimedia site and Guppie's Dutch forum and OIFC's website and Vicki's site and on and on and on, each growing larger, each giving off more enthusiasm, bringing more and more people into this.... Okay. Everyone have the image now? I don't know if Sherwin-Williams Paints is just a US product or if it is International. But they have a slogan here which is "Sherwin-Williams: Covers the Earth." And that is the extreme of what I'm talking about. No, we will never exactly cover the entire world, telling every single person in it about this album and how we feel about it, but working together like this, we can certainly reach a LOT more people than would have known about it if we hadn't been here. People have been asking, during this time between singles, what can we do? The rerelease is coming. The album sales continue... What we need to realize, though, friends, is that we--each one of us--have the power to spread the word, to share the excitement, the enthusiasm we feel for both this man and this album. It is that enthusiasm and energy which makes the pot(s) boil over and onto those who have yet to hear about them. It is especially important to keep the talk going, to keep the positive feelings going about it, while the CD continues to be released in country after country. We know that new folks will be hearing the singles or cuts from the album and will begin to search for more information about it. They'll search to find out what others have to say, how others feel about it, to decide whether or not they, themselves, want to go out and purchase it. Does the idea flow so far? (no pun intended, really) I just flashed on a song from "Jesus Christ Superstar"--I don't know why--silly brain makes unexpected leaps all the time.... "What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happenin'. What's the buzz?..." Don't know if that really fits here or not, but....you get the idea. People will begin to come from these other countries, looking in places like this wonderful forum, for what each of us has to offer!!! So, what has already been done, in terms of emails and phone calls, etc. is, in a very real sense, an example of sharing that excitement and our love for CHSIB. And that must continue, especially when the rerelease in the UK comes out! But what we are all doing HERE right now is EQUALLY vital--to keep that "buzz" going, as new people keep coming, and they WILL keep coming, friends. We see that here every day. And as I said in the earlier post, not only here, but all the flourishing ML websites, forums, messageboards, mailing lists around the net. We must keep the pot boiling wherever and whenever we can. And obviously, we need to think larger than the net, as we have been. We need to remember to take this back to our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities, the streets in our towns, and continue the process there. If you don't believe or want to accept what I'm saying here--that just enthusiasm and excitement can make a difference and have a major effect on CHSIB's chances for continued success around the world, let's look at a perfect example of it that Meat just gave us yesterday at the Sony Awards. I found the show, for the most part, to be laid back, calm--I hate to use the word and I don't mean to be insulting, but it was BORING, for the most part. There were no rousing speeches made, only a few halfway amusing jokes...it would have been easy to fall asleep during--in fact, we did here, for a very short time. (Hate to admit that, too, but it's true!) And then, all of a sudden, who walks in and takes over the stage: Then... BAM.... Everthing changed. The energy changed. The entire feeling, the mood of the show changed and more importantly, remained changed for the rest of the ceremony (thanks to Grace Jones, as well)! Meat's excitement and joy of life and his ability to share the sense of fun and laughter was contagious! It filled that hall!! It went so far as to fill and overflow onto all of us who were watching it from our computers!! I felt alive again!! Didn't you have that same reaction??!! I mean, what a difference!!! You see what I'm trying to say? And the real joy of it is that EACH OF US has that SAME ability to give off that much enthusiam, that much excitement about Meat and this project! And whoever comes here (or any of the other places we share these feelings) will catch that 'buzz' and give off some of their own!!! And theirs will bring others in and so on.... Now, as I said earlier, this is sort of metaphysical in nature, but take a few moments and think about it, and think about the power we DO have to help Meat with this album in the coming weeks and months. But it's important, first, to believe in this and the power we have. It IS real. It IS already working and has been since the first release of the single and the album!! It's also extremely important to try to keep things as POSITIVE as possible. Negative feelings and emotions can also get transferred, and they are not what Meat needs from us right now. They will not help the cause. Now, I'm not saying that any of this should be phony. That's counterproductive, too. It HAS to be real. It has to be from the heart, which shouldn't be a problem for most of us. It is, indeed, what we already feel inside. So, we should try to stay positive, emphasize the positive feelings we have, finds ways to reverse the negatives which come our way, because positives will do the most good for him and CHSIB. I recently heard a rumor that the release of the CD may, once again be delayed in the US. I'm hoping and praying that isn't true, as the band begins rehearsal this week and Meat will join them in another week or so, to begin getting ready for the upcoming tour. I feel SO bad and sad for him, if this happens! He's filling concert venues with thousands of people, each of whom would probably go out to the stands and buy a copy of the album right then and there!! And what about local promotion, which he will probably be doing? It's not easy to tell people, "Hey, go out and buy this CD--in another 2 or 3 months!!" That's not like looking at the camera or talking in the mike and saying, "HEY, go down to your local record store right now and buy this thing!!!" You know what I mean?! All these potentially lost opportunities.... Thinking about it now (hindsight is always 20/20--isn't that the expression?), the upcoming tour should have been totally reversed. Meat is needed RIGHT NOW in the UK and Europe, to help with album sales by doing promotions. He needs to continue to do exactly what he is right now. And that's gotta be why he's staying there as long as he is--mid-May, just 4 weeks or so before the US tour starts. He also needs to be going to the various countries and doing more promotions as CHSIB is released there... So, I suppose, he should have done the US part of the tour when the CD came out over here--later in the year. But then, who knew that it was going to work out this way?? And I'm sure, once they did, some of the venues had already been selected and finalized...so....this is the way it is. And yet, to show that negatives CAN almost always be turned to positives, this is not a hopeless situation. It's not the best news, but still, every person who attends one or more of these early concerts and listens to some of the new songs, as well as other folks who learn that a new Meat Loaf CD is coming, will become SEEDS. They may eventually go out and buy it when it's available. But that's where WE come in again, dear friends. It will be up to US, with our 'boiling pots of enthusiasm' from what we are doing here and in our communities, to help keep these seeds well-watered!! (Oh, don't you just LOVE it when extended metaphors work out??!!! ) So do you see how important all this becomes?!!! Do you see how important each one of us can be to this project? Can you feel the power? During these past few weeks, the creativity in people here has astounded me! They've been showing us all sorts of ways our feelings can be shared: Chris playing the album 13 hours straight in his store. People driving around their towns, with the music blasting from their cars. Fans continuing to request it be played in record shops and pubs and anywhere else they can manage it....you know all this already. This is nothing new and there are plenty of other threads in this forum where you can see what's been done and needs to continue to be done. But, we MUSTN'T FORGET that another part is also vital and that is to continue these conversations, these reviews, these discussions where we each share our feelings, our thoughts, our enthusiasm and excitement for this album -- as the Beatles sang, "Here, There and Everywhere." This is something every ML fan can do in the days and weeks ahead! So, this is what I meant the other day and what I was hinting at, that got some peoples' curiousity up enough to write to me about it. This IS already working, friends. You just have to believe in it, accept it and keep doing it!! It does work! And Meat, himself, showed us this answer. We had only to see it and realize it!! As always, looking forward to your comments and opinions on this and ALL topics relating to this thread! Sending much love to each of you, MB xxx

09 May 2003, 16:25	#36
mariella Mega Loafer Join Date: 04.02.2003 Location: Holland Posts: 4,063	Hi MB, Always a pleasure to read your posts! You have such a beautiful way of describing what you feel, that is a gift. Once again, thank you for putting into words what I felt for some time now. This IS happening and I CAN feel it!! This 'movement' that started a few weeks ago, is already 'an army of love'. Not all of us may operate from this site, that's also very good, the more places 'we spread the word', the better!! Proud to call myself one of your biggest fans. Funny thing for me to say because I feel all people are equal. And I gues you would say 'this is not about me" and you are right. It's about these precious songs. So let these songs be heard. Spread the word!!! I am turning into 'some kind of priest' here, this is also quite funny Right now, I am playing Do It! After a few minutes I will listen to some other music, but like you said MB, if I can get into Do It, there must be hope for YRIWR!!! Great day to you, Mariella

09 May 2003, 21:48	#37
MBrevard Super Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2003 Location: Deceased Posts: 761	Thanks, Nariella, for your very kind words and for your never-ending enthusiasm!! It means a lot to me and to everyone here. But you make a very good point. We ARE all equal here. We are all just good soldiers in Meat's army. We all have our 'jobs' to do, whichever ones we choose to make our own. And no one's job is any more important than anyone else's!!! This is real teamwork!! Good things for all of us to remember! Much love to everyone, MB xxx

09 May 2003, 21:58	#38
badger Super Loafer Join Date: 23.10.2002 Location: Chelmsford, Essex Posts: 511	Ok i am going to stick my neck out here!!! I know it is a cover, but I really think one of my absolute favourite songs on the album is Forever Young. I love the original but i think the cover is even better, it really seems to suit Meat's voice. Somehow if Meat really fels a song you just can't seperate his voice and the song if you know what i mean. You don't think 'Meat is singing a good song', it is more like he is actually just singing his thoughts to you. He is an amazing man!!!

10 May 2003, 11:54	#39
MBrevard Super Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2003 Location: Deceased Posts: 761	Hi, Badger! Welcome and thanks for sharing your thoughts here. No, I don't think you're sticking your neck out by saying you really enjoy Forever Young! A lot of folks would agree with you. I've found that there is certainly something quite satisfying in it. Something very calming to me. And I can picture it being sung in concert with the audience either singing along, or just sort of swaying to it, if you can see that in your mind.... And it's a perfect ending for this CD. And quite a lovely message that Meat wanted to leave his fans with!!! What a terrific comment about not being able to separate Meat's voice from the song. I really like that image! I understand entirely what you're trying to say!! And I couldn't agree more that Meat doesn't just sing a song--he performs it with his entire heart and soul!! He's one-of-a-kind, Badger!! Have you ever had the pleasure of seeing him perform live? And will you be going to any of the concerts in the upcoming tour?? Thanks for keeping the conversation going!! Love, MB xxx

10 May 2003, 13:17	#40
Tim The Butcher Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Westervoort, The Netherlands Posts: 10,321	Mbrevard may post not so much.... but when she posts.... pfffff... they are hugh!!!!

10 May 2003, 17:56	#41
dottie queen post- whore extraordinaire Join Date: 29.01.2003 Location: Still Rockin' at "72" Posts: 13,181	Badger _ I agree with you totally - I love Forever Young probably because it just about sums all my feelings about music and life in general and I have lived quite a long time This one song can lift me so high when I'm feeling slightly below par and depressed

10 May 2003, 19:13	#42
meshurp Super Loafer Join Date: 20.04.2003 Location: In The World, somewhere... Posts: 444	Thanks MB! I've been busy with school so i've only just read your post! i have to say i also end up with the continuos looping of different songs so i don't think it at all wierd! at the moment my favs have to be Testify and LYOL they just cheer me up! when im feeling glum when i get in from school i stick these two tracks on and end up feeling full of bounce. the best way to discribe them is "ummphy!" if you know what i mean, you just cant sit still to them.

11 May 2003, 12:05	#43
MBrevard Super Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2003 Location: Deceased Posts: 761	Good morning, everyone! (Well, it's early morning here in California!! ) To Tim: That is probably the SHORTEST post you'll ever see from me, mister!!! Enjoy it!! (And read some of the longer ones, too, will ya??!! ) Hi, Dottie! I know we're all going to get so sick of this response-- C.H.S.I.B.[M.]!! (Think I'll just abbreviate it from now on. Everyone understands it, anyway.) Love ya, lady!!! HI, Meshurp Werfifer!!!!! I'm SO glad to hear from you again! How's school? And how's your mom doing? You certainly picked my two favorites from the album right now!! Both those songs are almost always playing here these days. Find that I've been listening more to Testify right now. Don't know why. But it's to the point where I'm ready to start calling ML--"Brother Meat"! Don't know how HE'd feel about it, though! Hope you're still spreading the "gospel" at school and with your friends!! Haven't asked you if you'll be going to any of the concerts with your mom. Hope so!! It's only fair since you turned HER onto him several years ago! Hugs to everyone there! Thanks, everyone, for keeping the positive talk going!! Love to you all, MB xxx

11 May 2003, 12:27	#44
Tim The Butcher Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Westervoort, The Netherlands Posts: 10,321	Heheeh MBrevard.... The shortest post of you??? Okay.. and sure i will read the longer ones... He... but talk to you soon he, by mail!!! The Butcher, TIm

11 May 2003, 16:38	#45
meshurp Super Loafer Join Date: 20.04.2003 Location: In The World, somewhere... Posts: 444	HI again MB!! Schools awful....i'm taking my maths GCSE a year early and Meats music is the only thing stopping me going mad! ...... i think LYOL is kinda being played more than testify, but thats only because its the first of the two to appearon the CD, i get to that piont and oput it on repeat and sort of forget about the rest of the CD for a bit (bad meshurp!) We are all going to one of the concerts in birmingham in november!! oh! and on wednesday i managed to convert another of my freind to Meat Loaf. by playing meatloaf constantly all the while she was round my house!!! Bye mee.

12 May 2003, 17:24	#47
MBrevard Super Loafer Join Date: 06.02.2003 Location: Deceased Posts: 761	Hi, Meshurp Werfifer. I didn't realize you could take your GCSEs early. We don't really have them in this country. It's been a LONG time since I've been there, but we do have something called SATs instead. Not sure if they are the equivalents or not to what you are taking. Is this something you elect to do or your teachers, classes, allow/invite you to do early? Best of luck to you in the exams. I'm sure you'll do well. Sounds like you're really hitting the books to get ready for it!! That's wonderful news about Birmingham. Hope you and your mom will both give reviews of the concert here at the forum in the autumn!! I know what you mean about Meat's music helping you through the bad times. I'm sure everyone has their own stories of how the older songs have been there for them, and are developing ones for these new songs from CHSIB, as you are. Heaven knows, he's helped me through enough of them here, and continues to, I might add!! There's just something about the music, and the man, himself--which gives one the strength, the courage--and sometimes, just the stamina--to keep on trying, keep on fighting, keep on going, isn't there?!!! And sometimes, meshurp werfifer, it's just a lovely escape from the torments and trials we're put on this earth to go through!! Hope he continues to help you there. Keep us informed on how it's going! And to you AND Badger, congrats on continuing to bring new Meaty fans to the fold!! Badger, I like your attitude--a LOT!! Meat Loaf Revolution!! YES!! Where are my knitting needles?? Gotta get those bad reviewers' names down! (Sorry. Just reread "Tale of Two Cities" a little while ago and it's still on my mind when someone mentions a revolution!!) If your girlfriend is connected to the net, be sure to guide her in the direction of the forum! It'll be wonderful having both of you here! Take good care, everyone. Hope your day is off to a great start!! Love to all, MB xxx

12 May 2003, 19:58	#48
meshurp Super Loafer Join Date: 20.04.2003 Location: In The World, somewhere... Posts: 444	Welcome to the meatloaf fan recrutmant agency, we will turn you to the way of the Mighty Meat! Hi MB, we do SATs as well as GCSEs! we only have the option of doing our maths early, we get to choise whether we want to do it or not(with the approval ofour teacher) out of a year of around 200 poeple only twelve of us are doing it this year! (oh help im insane!!!!!!!!!)3 week until i fail. 8th row at birmingham!!!!

13 May 2003, 17:20	#50
Bren The Bat Join Date: 23.03.2003 Location: Roosting on a Silver-Black Phantom Bike. Posts: 10,017	An alternative review of Testify Testify,well what can i say, It lights up my life and brightens my day. I listen once,then have to have more, I can't keep still, so i dance round the floor. Icollide with the unit and trip over the cat Amid cries of "at your age you should know better than that"!!! Iforget the bruises,the aches and the sores And play it continuously whilst doing the chores. If i iron whilst listening to Heaven can Wait The ironing gets done.....but the pace is sedate. If i iron whilst listening to Testify The ironing gets done in the blink of an eye! Calling the kids at crack of dawn Is usually met with a series of groans and a yawn But play TESTIFY full volume at 6am They're out of bed before you can count to ten!!! This is on topic but as its in verse was not sure if i should post it here.If you decide to move it to little poets thats fine.