Meat Loaf: 10 Incredible Forgotten Songs
8. If I Can't Have You
The answer to the question "What would a collaboration between Meat Loaf and Hugh Laurie sound like?" If I Can't Have You was a highlight on the parade of celebrity friends that was 2010's Hang Cool Teddy Bear.
Whereas Brian May, Steve Vai and Jack Black fit in with Meat's hard rocking history, the man who played Prince George in BlackAdder seemed a surprising collaborator.
Laurie is actually an accomplished pianist and has released several jazz recordings. When making an appearance on Laurie's hit House show, Meat Loaf sent him a note asking if he wanted to collaborate - an offer that was enthusiastically accepted.
It's an unexpected pairing but Laurie makes the song with his enthused piano playing, with the clanging atmosphere found on the opening of I'd Do Anything For Love.
Focused on a man who has broken things off with a woman and is now realising his mistake - only too late - I Can't Have You had the necessary melodrama to fit nicely in Meat's repertoire. Co-writer and American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi brings the traditional full-throttle female counterpoint to make it a classic Meat Loaf track.