Meat Loaf – Read ‘Em and Weep

About The Song

“Read ‘Em and Weep” is a song written by Jim Steinman, recorded by Meat Loaf, and released on December 7, 1981, as the third single from his second studio album Dead Ringer on Epic Records. The song reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, serving as a follow-up to the album’s earlier hits “Dead Ringer for Love” and “I’m Gonna Love Her for Both of Us.” It was later covered by Barry Manilow in 1983, with Manilow’s version peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 18 on the Hot 100.

The recording took place at The Power Station in New York and other studios, produced by Meat Loaf and Stephan Galfas, with initial production by Jimmy Iovine and Steinman. The session included a robust arrangement with Roy Bittan on piano, Max Weinberg on drums, both from the E Street Band, and Rory Dodd on backing vocals. The track features a dramatic orchestral buildup and a powerful vocal performance by Meat Loaf, recorded over multiple takes to capture its emotional intensity. Steinman intended it as a showcase for Meat Loaf’s vocal range, stating in a 1981 interview, “This was written to push his voice to the limit, to tell a story of despair with every note.” The song runs 3:47 on the single, though the album version extends to 5:27.

The lyrics narrate a man’s emotional collapse after reading a letter that ends a relationship, with lines like “Read ‘em and weep / The writing’s on the wall.” The song’s theatrical style aligns with Steinman’s signature approach, blending rock with operatic elements. Dead Ringer, released on September 4, 1981, achieved No. 1 status in the UK and platinum certification in multiple regions, recorded with a $500,000 budget funded by RCA Records after initial rejections. The album faced production delays due to Meat Loaf’s vocal strain, impacting its release schedule.

The music video, directed by Tom Trbovich, premiered in 1982, showing Meat Loaf in a dimly lit room reading a letter, with flashbacks of a failed romance. It was included on the 1999 DVD Meat Loaf: The Video Collection. The song was performed live during the 1981-1982 tour with a 14-piece band, and a live version appeared on Live at Wembley (1987). Manilow’s 1983 cover, produced by Artie Butler, shifted the arrangement to a softer, pop-ballad style, leading to its commercial success.

The track was released in multiple formats, including 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl, with B-sides like “More Than You Deserve” and a live version of “Bat Out of Hell.” It was included on compilations such as Hits Out of Hell (1993) and some Dead Ringer reissues. The production involved extensive overdubs, with Meat Loaf recording vocals in segments due to a vocal cord injury, a recurring issue during the album’s creation. The song also featured in the 1982 TV special Meat Loaf: In Concert.

Video

Lyric

Wipe the tears away
I’ve got no right to say
The things I want to say

Read ‘em and weep
The writing’s on the wall
The tears you cried for me
Won’t change a thing at all

They say it’s over now
But I can’t let it go
The love we had was strong
But now it’s lost, I know

Read ‘em and weep
The letter in my hand
Each word cuts like a knife
I don’t understand

I gave you all I had
But it wasn’t enough
Now I’m left with memories
And a heart so rough

Read ‘em and weep
The story’s at an end
The pages turn to dust
No more to defend

I see your face in dreams
But you’re not there to stay
The silence fills the room
Where love has gone astray

Read ‘em and weep
The final act is done
The curtain falls tonight
And I’m the lonely one

Read ‘em and weep
The words are carved in stone
A love that once was ours
Now stands alone