Bat Out Of Hell... Meaning?

Bap · 25 Oct 2007, 14:58

Okay so I have to do a textual analysis of anything that portrays love and/or desire within contemporary culture and I was going to do the obvious and look at Anything For Love but thought Bat would be intresting however when analysing the lyrics over and over I am confusing myself. Is it talking of a one night romance "So we gotta make the most of our one night together. When it's over you know, We'll both be so alone." or am I misreading it? I always thought some of the most powerful and romantic lyrics came from this song in particular "Then like a sinner before the gates of heaven, I'll come crawling on back to you." This would emphasis a strong everlasting love even after death and the overwhelming strength to get to your love through the most ridiculous of odds. So yeah can anyone shed some light on my confusion??

Thanks! Rhys!

mszee · 25 Oct 2007, 15:07

Let me confuse you a little bit more...

I always think of the myth of Icarus when I listen to Bat.

Otherwise, I think the person is a biker and can't be tied down in one particular place. I don't think it's about one night stand...it's about inability to settle, to stay in "prison" of settled life. About somebody who, although in love, is constantly seeking...

MeatGrl1 · 25 Oct 2007, 15:45

As Meat says, he is never going to pigeon hole you,
you make the song as you want it.

**RadioMaster** · 25 Oct 2007, 19:12

but meat didnt write it
jim wrote it

mszee · 25 Oct 2007, 19:39

Most certainly complex lyrics, as well as poetry, are often open to interpretation.

Doesn't mean that you can't try to interpret.

Most definitely poet has something very definite in mind when he/she writes the poetry.

MeatGrl1 · 25 Oct 2007, 23:44

I know that Zina,
and I also know Jim wrote the lyrics thank you very much all I am saying is you make the interpretation on your own, there is no right or wrong way of interpretation because if that's true for you then for you that is right, it doesn't mean everyone else intrprets that lyric the same way.

**RadioMaster** · 26 Oct 2007, 10:58

but this doesnt mean people shouldnt argue/discuss about it. Nobody is talking about "right" or "wrong". And if Rhys is doing a textual analysis on it you cant go and say he shouldnt just because he cant find the right (or wrong) meaning anyway.

**The Flying Mouse** · 26 Oct 2007, 14:11

*sigh*

OK, we've now established that there is nothing wrong with open interperatation, and likewise, there is nothing wrong with discussing/debating the meaning of the lyrics on a theoretical basis (just as long as people don't start calling each other "wrong".

Now that's cleared up, can this thread go back to discussing the lyrics and what they mean to YOU rather than debate if the thread should exist or not

Bap · 26 Oct 2007, 17:51

Hehe thanks Flying Mouse!

MsZee I totally get what you are saying and it would make sense in regards to the way my module looks at love and desire. There is this idea that this woman is the ultimate desire and that in turn makes him love her but because of it being a desire he doesn't want to spoil it an thus one night a time is enough for if he spends too long with her he may not feel the same. The rest then would be a description of how far he would go with regards to his current feelings. Overall its describes the incredible rush of emotion he feels, this overwhelming feeling that cannot be replicated if he stays with her all the time, after all we all know that the first part of the relationship is always the most passionate in all senses and for him to ensure this passion exists he cannot be with her all the time.... Make sense??

mszee · 26 Oct 2007, 18:57

It absolutely makes sense.

I still, however, see it a bit differently. And I think the difference isn't just in age but actually cultural.

There is a whole breed of people in America called bikers. Of course, they vary. But proverbial biker is usually a hick/redneck/hillbilly who does odd jobs to support himself and can't be tied up to one place. They don't usually form long lasting relationships until later on in life - in their 40s and older. However, some of them do have girlfriends and even wives earlier on. But they leave them for long periods of time traveling in groups of other bikers all around. Basically, these people fancy themselves free spirits.

Remember the line "And like a sinner in front of Gates of Heaven I'll come crawling on back to you"...that's what it's all about...it's about a girlfriend that has to be left behind for the sake of brotherhood and apparent freedom and biker will come again and again back to her after prolonged periods of absence.

Now...this is the background.

What I think Steinman really meant by these lyrics and what Meat thought about when he sang it is basically summarized in two words: FREE SPIRIT.

I can see myself tearing up the road
Faster than any other boy has ever gone
And my skin is raw but my soul is ripe
And no one's gonna stop me now
I gotta make my escape

Escape from possibly being tied down and being domesticated.

And just like Icarus...free spirits get burnt...

It is not possible to live in the society and to be completely free of it...and thus...

And I'm dying at the bottom of a pit in the blazing sun
Torn and twisted at the foot of a burning bike

But the soul remains free...

And the last thing I see is my heart
Still beating
Still beating
I'm breaking out of my body and flying away
Like a bat out of hell

I can talk for hours about this...sorry, if it's a bit jumbled...but there is only so much you can say here...

Bap · 26 Oct 2007, 21:36

Hehe I understand it completly don't worry :) Hehe can you see why I love my course now?? lol I can analyse anything cause everything around us is culture!

Anyways I think I'll be okay now thank you MsZee your post provided so usefullness unlike some others

Nevermind! Thank you again, and please continue talking about it if you so wish is intresting to see peoples ideas on this song.

mszee · 26 Oct 2007, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bap

Hehe I understand it completly don't worry :) Hehe can you see why I love my course now?? lol I can analyse anything cause everything around us is culture!

Anyways I think I'll be okay now thank you MsZee your post provided so usefullness unlike some others

Nevermind! Thank you again, and please continue talking about it if you so wish is intresting to see peoples ideas on this song.

I can analyze ANYTHING to death...

And often do too...

Good luck with your course work!!!

duke knooby · 27 Oct 2007, 03:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by mszee

I can analyze ANYTHING to death...

And often do too...

Good luck with your course work!!!

your a transtextual

mszee · 27 Oct 2007, 06:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by knooby

your a transtextual

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

Tell me...am I the only one who gets your sense of humor?

**RadioMaster** · 27 Oct 2007, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by knooby

your a transtextual

lmao brilliant

daveake · 27 Oct 2007, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by knooby

your a transtextual

Is that someone who's into S & M & S?

Dave

Bap · 29 Oct 2007, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveake

Is that someone who's into S & M & S?

Dave

Hehe SMS :P

25 Oct 2007, 14:58	#1
Bap Super Loafer Join Date: 20.09.2004 Location: Wales! Posts: 608	Bat Out Of Hell... Meaning? Okay so I have to do a textual analysis of anything that portrays love and/or desire within contemporary culture and I was going to do the obvious and look at Anything For Love but thought Bat would be intresting however when analysing the lyrics over and over I am confusing myself. Is it talking of a one night romance "So we gotta make the most of our one night together. When it's over you know, We'll both be so alone." or am I misreading it? I always thought some of the most powerful and romantic lyrics came from this song in particular "Then like a sinner before the gates of heaven, I'll come crawling on back to you." This would emphasis a strong everlasting love even after death and the overwhelming strength to get to your love through the most ridiculous of odds. So yeah can anyone shed some light on my confusion?? Thanks! Rhys!

25 Oct 2007, 15:07	#2
mszee Mega Loafer Join Date: 29.03.2006 Location: And you think you're down under??? Posts: 26,252	Let me confuse you a little bit more... I always think of the myth of Icarus when I listen to Bat. Otherwise, I think the person is a biker and can't be tied down in one particular place. I don't think it's about one night stand...it's about inability to settle, to stay in "prison" of settled life. About somebody who, although in love, is constantly seeking...

25 Oct 2007, 15:45	#3
MeatGrl1 No Day But Today Join Date: 29.05.2006 Location: Sitting on the steps outside looking so restless and reckless and lost! Posts: 9,089	As Meat says, he is never going to pigeon hole you, you make the song as you want it.

25 Oct 2007, 19:12	#4
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	but meat didnt write it jim wrote it

25 Oct 2007, 19:39	#5
mszee Mega Loafer Join Date: 29.03.2006 Location: And you think you're down under??? Posts: 26,252	Most certainly complex lyrics, as well as poetry, are often open to interpretation. Doesn't mean that you can't try to interpret. Most definitely poet has something very definite in mind when he/she writes the poetry.

25 Oct 2007, 23:44	#6
MeatGrl1 No Day But Today Join Date: 29.05.2006 Location: Sitting on the steps outside looking so restless and reckless and lost! Posts: 9,089	I know that Zina, and I also know Jim wrote the lyrics thank you very much all I am saying is you make the interpretation on your own, there is no right or wrong way of interpretation because if that's true for you then for you that is right, it doesn't mean everyone else intrprets that lyric the same way.

26 Oct 2007, 10:58	#7
RadioMaster The German Join Date: 11.03.2006 Location: some kind of hunting lodge for rich weirdos... Posts: 15,778	but this doesnt mean people shouldnt argue/discuss about it. Nobody is talking about "right" or "wrong". And if Rhys is doing a textual analysis on it you cant go and say he shouldnt just because he cant find the right (or wrong) meaning anyway.

26 Oct 2007, 14:11	#8
The Flying Mouse Armed ba$tard and Jo's other half. Join Date: 06.08.2002 Location: In the middle of nowhere near the end of the line. Posts: 16,104	sigh OK, we've now established that there is nothing wrong with open interperatation, and likewise, there is nothing wrong with discussing/debating the meaning of the lyrics on a theoretical basis (just as long as people don't start calling each other "wrong". Now that's cleared up, can this thread go back to discussing the lyrics and what they mean to YOU rather than debate if the thread should exist or not

26 Oct 2007, 17:51	#9
Bap Super Loafer Join Date: 20.09.2004 Location: Wales! Posts: 608	Hehe thanks Flying Mouse! MsZee I totally get what you are saying and it would make sense in regards to the way my module looks at love and desire. There is this idea that this woman is the ultimate desire and that in turn makes him love her but because of it being a desire he doesn't want to spoil it an thus one night a time is enough for if he spends too long with her he may not feel the same. The rest then would be a description of how far he would go with regards to his current feelings. Overall its describes the incredible rush of emotion he feels, this overwhelming feeling that cannot be replicated if he stays with her all the time, after all we all know that the first part of the relationship is always the most passionate in all senses and for him to ensure this passion exists he cannot be with her all the time.... Make sense??

26 Oct 2007, 18:57	#10
mszee Mega Loafer Join Date: 29.03.2006 Location: And you think you're down under??? Posts: 26,252	It absolutely makes sense. I still, however, see it a bit differently. And I think the difference isn't just in age but actually cultural. There is a whole breed of people in America called bikers. Of course, they vary. But proverbial biker is usually a hick/redneck/hillbilly who does odd jobs to support himself and can't be tied up to one place. They don't usually form long lasting relationships until later on in life - in their 40s and older. However, some of them do have girlfriends and even wives earlier on. But they leave them for long periods of time traveling in groups of other bikers all around. Basically, these people fancy themselves free spirits. Remember the line "And like a sinner in front of Gates of Heaven I'll come crawling on back to you"...that's what it's all about...it's about a girlfriend that has to be left behind for the sake of brotherhood and apparent freedom and biker will come again and again back to her after prolonged periods of absence. Now...this is the background. What I think Steinman really meant by these lyrics and what Meat thought about when he sang it is basically summarized in two words: FREE SPIRIT. I can see myself tearing up the road Faster than any other boy has ever gone And my skin is raw but my soul is ripe And no one's gonna stop me now I gotta make my escape Escape from possibly being tied down and being domesticated. And just like Icarus...free spirits get burnt... It is not possible to live in the society and to be completely free of it...and thus... And I'm dying at the bottom of a pit in the blazing sun Torn and twisted at the foot of a burning bike But the soul remains free... And the last thing I see is my heart Still beating Still beating I'm breaking out of my body and flying away Like a bat out of hell I can talk for hours about this...sorry, if it's a bit jumbled...but there is only so much you can say here...

26 Oct 2007, 21:36	#11
Bap Super Loafer Join Date: 20.09.2004 Location: Wales! Posts: 608	Hehe I understand it completly don't worry :) Hehe can you see why I love my course now?? lol I can analyse anything cause everything around us is culture! Anyways I think I'll be okay now thank you MsZee your post provided so usefullness unlike some others Nevermind! Thank you again, and please continue talking about it if you so wish is intresting to see peoples ideas on this song.