"Dead Ringer for Love" is a song performed by American rock singer

Meat Loaf Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally as Meat Loaf, was an American rock singer and actor. He was noted for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is on t ...

and American singer-actress Cher from Meat Loaf's second studio album, '' Dead Ringer''. The song was written by

Jim Steinman James Richard Steinman (November 1, 1947 – April 19, 2021) was an American composer, lyricist and record producer. He also worked as an arranger, pianist, and singer. His work included songs in the adult contemporary, rock, dance, pop, mus ...

and one of only two tracks on the album produced by Steinman and

Jimmy Iovine James Iovine ( ; ; born March 11, 1953) is an American entrepreneur, record executive, and media proprietor best known as the co-founder of Interscope Records. In 2006, Iovine and rapper-producer Dr. Dre founded Beats Electronics, which produces ...

Song information

The song was originally written by Jim Steinman, Tony Hendra and Sean Kelly (and sung by Michael Simmons) for the short-lived television comedy series, '' Delta House''. Steinman reworked the melody into the song "Dead Ringer for Love" for the ''Dead Ringer'' album, while portions of the lyrics would later appear in his " Tonight Is What It Means to Be Young". Cher also helped write the song, but she remains uncredited. The song was performed live many times by Meat Loaf but never by Cher. There is no footage of Cher and Meat Loaf ever performing this song live together, and Cher appeared only in the music video. The song performed by Meat Loaf is available in two live CDs: '' Live Around the World'' and '' Bat out of Hell: Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra''. The song was also used in Meat Loaf's '' Hits out of Hell'' and on some ''

Bat Out of Hell ''Bat Out of Hell'' is the 1977 debut album by American rock singer Meat Loaf and composer Jim Steinman. It is one of the best-selling albums in history. The album was developed from a musical, ''Neverland'', a futuristic rock version of '' ...

'' re-releases and in Cher's '' Greatest Hits: 1965–1992'' compilations, as well as Cher's album ''Essential Collection''. The track was released in the United Kingdom in November 1981 and debuted at number 63 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. It slowly climbed the chart and peaked at number five in early February 1982. Allmusic editor William Ruhlmann later highlighted the song. Also, Donald A. Guarisco retrospectively praised the lyrics: "The tongue-in-cheek lyrics tell the tale of a guy who’s realized he cant 'live by rock ‘n’ roll and brew alone' and sets his sights on his ideal woman (...) The lyric devotes equal time to his vampy object of affection". He added that, "This unique blend of vocal and instrumental firepower makes 'Dead Ringer For Love' feel like a long-lost outtake from the Grease soundtrack on steroids."Song review by Allmusic
Retrieved October 15, 2013

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

References

{{authority control 1981 songs Meat Loaf songs Cher songs Songs written by Jim Steinman 1981 singles Epic Records singles Song recordings produced by Jim Steinman Song recordings produced by Jimmy Iovine Male–female vocal duets Song recordings with Wall of Sound arrangements