What being a fan means to me...

[Evil One]

Originally Posted by daveake

Except I don't go to Pizza Hut anyway 'cos one pizza would blow my salt ration for at least 2 days!

But it's worth it. Stuffed crust meat feast!

[lorenzoduke]

Originally Posted by Evil One

At no point have I claimed Meat's new album to be crap or garbage. In fact I'm pretty sure my comment was that Los Angeloser does nothing for me but I'm going to wait until I've heard the album before I make any judgement on it.

I don't like french cuisine so I don't go to a french restaurant. I do however like pizza. If I happen to eat in Pizza Hut and they've missed the spicy pork off my meat feast then I will complain.

Fair enough, I get where you're coming from. But then again, you didn't order this slice of Meat Loaf, or get to specify what's included. It's there, and it's self serve.

I wasn't specifically talking in reference to your posts. Just those who feel they have a right to 'advise' Meat Loaf on how to be who he is.

[mszee]

Originally Posted by lorenzoduke

Fair enough, I get where you're coming from. But then again, you didn't order this slice of Meat Loaf, or get to specify what's included. It's there, and it's self serve.

I wasn't specifically talking in reference to your posts. Just those who feel they have a right to 'advise' Meat Loaf on how to be who he is.

Are you talking about poor White of High? The poor dude is Hungarian with broken English who is stuck in time...I feel for him cause he struggles with his thoughts even more than he struggles with English....

[Fire Ball]

I agree key word being " constructive" I do listen when it is really constructive and not just BS drivel.

Originally Posted by Evil One

Praise without constructive criticism is useless.

[CarylB]

And Meat, I've only ever seen you react against criticism that has nothing constructive in it, but is highly judgemental, often rude or innacurate, and attacks you rather than comments on performance. If people have nothing usefully constructive to say it's better they say nothing imo.

Caryl

[PanicLord]

Thanks everyone for posting on my little ranting thread I feel much better now, and have enjoyed reading the responses on this one - most interesting!

[proctorloaf]

I think that we're looking at this all wrong. For me there is not a bad Meat Loaf Album because on every Album there is a song (at least one) that I have an emotional connection with. That is the amazing thing about Meat's music. He gets into your core and tells you something that you didn't already know, he showed me places within me that I'd never been. When I was 8 BOH2 came out and I was mezmerised. I loved WTTN and the live album that came after, but I was skeptical about new material because I wasn't sure if I could form those emotional connections, but there are so many songs on CHSIB which resonate with me and even BOH3 (which I wish had been done with Steinman) there are brilliant performances 'In the Land of the Pigs' is awesome and is the most over the top Meat track ever. Meat has given me something very special and I hope one day I can thank him properly, as for critism and fans, we should be able to say what we think, Meat does this for us, but the wording should be not, 'that wasn't very good' or 'I loved that', it should be, 'Meat, that altered me becasue...' or 'I didn't feel an emotion connection to this track because...' I think that is critical and constructive.

[viewer]

I think being a fan is about supporting, respecing and apperciating somebody for what they are weither you love it or not if you dont be honest and say why but not by being cruel. insensitive or without truelly giving it a fair chance, but most of all its about believing someone and trusting them to deliver, which for me meat has always done I see in him what is see in no other artist which makes him unique to me ok my 2cent done

[viewer]

wow, really poor punctuation on my part sorry

[batcity]

What being a fan means to me... Well i'm just a listening fan now, used to be a big, big fan ( when I used to be well, it meant everything to me)but other things in life are more important to me at the moment, I'm a family guy with a lovely 8 month old daughter.

I will buy the new album or cd, but I know nothing can replace his earlier stuff he did with steinman and i will always love it... the new stuff I'm in two minds.. whether the whole album is going to be a hit or shit.

Meats a credit to music history. cheers meat!!!

[howlerformeatloaf]

Being a fan to me is that I like Meat very, very much. I will always love what he does. Its like unconditional love to me. I may not like something but I will always love it no matter what. I can say I am not crazy about that song but I will still play it because it is something Meat did. Just like with your child you might not like some of things he or she is doing but you still love your child very much. That is how I see it. I will always be a fan of Meat Loaf. No matter what he does, right or wrong, I will still be there.

[rockfenris2005]

In response to the original poster, how does this work then? I consider myself a fan because I own every one of his albums on CD and LP, with the exception of "The very best of Meat Loaf" because that was never released on LP, "Couldn’t have said it better" because I haven't been able to find it, and "The monster is loose" because I wasn't able to enjoy that album. My collection is quite extensive, with singles and promo releases as well, souvenir programs and concert posters, one from Wembley Arena that covers half of my wall. I've spent what must be now over a thousand dollars at least collecting all of these items but I didn't like "The monster is loose" and I would be prepared to argue with anyone about why I didn't enjoy it for months if I could. But I can't and I won't. So what does that make me?

I don’t want to hurt anyone or cause trouble, although I try to be upfront and I am no longer as blunt as I used to be, but the reason I write this post is to seek clarification from the rest of you as to where you think I might stand.

Best,
Rockfenris2005

[Vickip]

That's an impressive collection rockfenris2005

I went through an extremely bad time emotionally when my Father passed away, and Meat helped me get through it. For that alone I can't thank him enough, and will always be extremely grateful. I will always love and support Meat, no matter what.

Each of us is different ... even though I enjoy all of Meat's CDs, there are some that I like more than others. The same thing with certain songs. But, more importantly, for me, being a fan means having respect .... I respect Meat (as an artist and person with feelings), and would never say anything that would hurt or upset him. I respect him too much for that.

Thanks
Vicki

[Gracie]

Great collection!
I am a huge Meat Loaf fan. I recall being about five years old and my uncle bought the bat album. He brought it to our house and been a fan ever since. We cranked up the volume as far as it could go and, it just sounded so powerful and moving. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the cd. So, when he wasn't looking I kind of borrowed the album and have yet to give it back, but, I am sure he won't miss it
Being a fan brings you much joy. Its magical when I hear Meat sing a Jim Steinman song. I like all of the other artists he's worked with too over the years.
You also get to meet some pretty cool people along the way being a fan, so thats always a plus.
So, thanks Meat Loaf youv'e brought a lot of happiness through your music to a lot of people.

[mszee]

Originally Posted by rockfenris2005

I don’t want to hurt anyone or cause trouble, although I try to be upfront and I am no longer as blunt as I used to be, but the reason I write this post is to seek clarification from the rest of you as to where you think I might stand.

Best,
Rockfenris2005

I REALLY do not have a clue of what you mean when you say...where you stand...Australian ain't like American...

I guess we hope you grew up a bit???

[PanicLord]

Originally Posted by rockfenris2005

In response to the original poster, how does this work then? I consider myself a fan because I own every one of his albums on CD and LP, So what does that make me?

Hi Rockfenris - great collection and pic! Well, as per my op, what I wrote was only my own definition of being a fan and how it applies to me. If what you wrote is your definition of being a fan, then fair enough.

[carole]

Originally Posted by Vickip

That's an impressive collection rockfenris2005

I went through an extremely bad time emotionally when my Father passed away, and Meat helped me get through it. For that alone I can't thank him enough, and will always be extremely grateful. I will always love and support Meat, no matter what.

Each of us is different ... even though I enjoy all of Meat's CDs, there are some that I like more than others. The same thing with certain songs. But, more importantly, for me, being a fan means having respect .... I respect Meat (as an artist and person with feelings), and would never say anything that would hurt or upset him. I respect him too much for that.

Thanks
Vicki

Very well put Vicki. That's how I feel too. I have all his albums, but I like some more than others and same with all his songs. I have my utmost favourites, and some I don't like quite so much as others. And I have the utmost respect for Meat both as an artist and a person as well and would never want to upset or hurt him. And I will always love him and support him too.

Carole

[suzieq]

Originally Posted by rockfenris2005

but the reason I write this post is to seek clarification from the rest of you as to where you think I might stand.

I like your layout of your collection. However, clarification from a group of others is not for us to define. It's your own interpretation of how you view yourself as a fan be it monetarily invested, emotionally swept, or musically directed (et al other reasons).

Unfortunately for me, I'm still trying to come up with my own original thought, but the circle seems to lead me to a culmination of several others posts.

Originally Posted by PanicLord

If what you wrote is your definition of being a fan, then fair enough.

I agree.

[Sue K]

i started a thread just like this on .Net moons ago ... i sure wish i had saved what i'd written because i still feel the same... but it's too much to write... lol ... i think i've been around the community long enough now for folks to know what defines me as a fan ... ...

[ChrisBelfast]

Originally Posted by Skybird14

I’ve not been a member here all that long

Have you not been posting here for years under a different user name just? I thought you were always Meatgrl with a new name, if you sorry, welcome!

[suzieq]

I've decided on this:

Originally Posted by PanicLord

YES - it means that I am positively disposed to whatever Meat does. I look forward with optimism to any new projects announced, and have faith that he will throw his whole heart and soul into it, even (perhaps especially) when it is radically different to what has been done before.

I only add to the above that I will unconditionally offer my support to Meat as it is my choice to do so. Followed by, I understand it is not my right as a fan to be disrespectful to Meat because I monetarily support him.

NO - this does not necessarily mean I end up in love with everything Meat does.

Originally Posted by PanicLord

it means that if I don't like something he has done, I will not come here and bash it, and will always try to find something positive to say, because to do otherwise...

1. Would be disrespectful / hurtfull to Meat
2. Would be disrespectful to other Meat fans
3. Would be a very strange concept to come on a fan site and post savagely critical remarks
4. May lead to Meat not coming here any more

YES/NO - I have a love/hate relationship with this site. Love the organization, ease of use, up-to-date information and the fact that Meat logs on for direct interaction with people here. Hate the fact that users are often mistreated for their opinions whether overly positive, regular positive, or negative. Example: if one song in particular moves you so much as to gush, then it should not be considered ass kissing. If you cannot gush on a fan website then where can you gush? I come to a fan site to be understood, to know that I'm not alone in my Meat Loaf world. I've met great people here and I love that fact. But privately we speak. There is an unspoken fear and that I don't love.

Paraphrased from PanicLord to reflect my views:
YES - there are a few of other music artists I like to listen to but don't particularly consider myself to be a fan of, because I do not feel as strongly about them as I do about Meat Loaf.

All of the above should cover my major bases. There was a spark at the beginning of being a fan, it was instantaneous and true. For me an emotional connection was made with Bat I. I discovered he had done other CD's prior to Bat...and these were the days before scan the barcode and have a listen, hear the preview of a song to determine if the $11.00 or so was worth the investment. I bought everything I could that Meat Loaf put out and what I couldn't find, I later found. I didn't care whether or not I would like it....I looked at the titles, saw how many tracks were on it, said cool....went to the register and bought it. I listened to them all, I've loved and not loved as much, but never regretted spending the $. I created my own memory of sitting down and discovering. At that very least it is well worth it. My feelings for Meat do not waver. I've been a fan of many things over my years, but none more important to me than Meat.

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

I know you didn't write these definitions, but I nonetheless disagree with the notion that to be a fan (of anyone/anything) you have to be totally uncritical. Take away the emotional component of the "relationship" between artist and fan (and I say this purely from the fan perspective, obviously), and bottom line, you are a consumer. The artist is selling a product. In that aspect, I'm not going to buy a product I don't like, even if that product is a record by my favorite artist.

As far as the uncritical deal....the only person I am uncritical of is Meat, he works too damn hard and he has way too many other helpers with "constructive criticism" plus I'm not very good at it....I'll just leave that "job" to other useful fans. Hard for me to imagine myself not being emotional connected to Meat, so I'll use another artist that I would just be a consumer of. Let's take Bon Jovi, knowing that they've put out albums in the past that were excellent and I have most of them, if I knew nothing more than they had a new album coming out....I'd probably buy it just because of their track record. And I have NO emotional attachment there. I like their music as a rule, but I'm not a following fan.

Originally Posted by Evil One

At no point have I claimed Meat's new album to be crap or garbage. In fact I'm pretty sure my comment was that Los Angeloser does nothing for me but I'm going to wait until I've heard the album before I make any judgement on it.

I agree...you've never said that you claimed Meat's new album to be crap or garbage, however, I think I wouldn't be surprised if you were offering up a serving or two of constructive criticism in the next month or so. On the flip side, I would be surprised if you went gushing over the new album. Just from my perception reading your post praise without constructive criticism is useless. You are one of the helpful useful elves here. :)

Suzieq

[Evil One]

So you agree that I've not crapped on Meat's new album yet are already putting words in my mouth?

[mszee]

I really don't think that it is fair to predict what the other person might say or do in the future...we hardly know ourselves...how can we claim we know somebody else...

And Please...if somebody says they don't like something...it's ok...this is not a greeting card (thank you, chsib, etc)...this is a forum....

[JennaG]

Originally Posted by ChrisBelfast

Have you not been posting here for years under a different user name just? I thought you were always Meatgrl with a new name, if you sorry, welcome!

No, that wasn't me. I only discovered this website in February this year but not to worry.

In my mind, respect is one of the things that sets fans apart from those people who aren't. Someone who isn't a fan will criticise an artist's work and they don't care how hurtful it may be but as a fan, if I'm going to say I don't like something I will think very carefully about how I say it and if I can't think of a nice way to say it then I won't say it.

[Monstro]

Having to buy bunk beds lol