Chat out of Hell
Emma Crossland & Sam Wilkinson 54 episodes Nov 9, 2026
Chat out of Hell is a music podcast in which Emma Crossland and Sam Wilkinson explore the work of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman. Each episode, the two hosts each bring a song or project by Meat Loaf or Steinman to discuss in detail. They look at the partnership between the singer and the songwriter, as well as the stories and personalities behind the music. The tone is informal and comic, aimed at fans of the pair and their theatrical rock.
Episodes
8.2 - Where Angels Sing | The Graveyard Shift | Wonderful Toys
Send us Fan MailIf you're enjoying Chat out of Hell, perhaps you'd consider joining the Chat Cave at patreon.com/chatoutofhellSupport the show
8.1 - It Just Won't Quit | Cry to Heaven
Series eight starts with a little treat as we let ourselves dive back into Bat out of Hell II for a bit with It Just Won't Quit, then it's back to reality when we swing over to Bat III for a bit before yammering on again about the Steinman Batman musical.PLUS a chat about sci-fi adventure with swearing Muppets in Farscape, some lovely news from the cast of the Bat musical and a welcome r
Film Club 7 - Wishcraft
Time for another dive into Meat Loaf's interesting acting career before we kick off series eight!Wishcraft is a 2002 teen slasher flick with added SPOOKY MAGIC. Spooky magic that causes plot holes all over the place.Keep your comments, reviews and arguments flying in to chatoutofhell@gmail.comChat out of Hell is a is a review podcast: all music extracts are used for review/illustrative purpos
7.6 - Tonight is Right For Love | What Part of My Body Hurts the Most
The end of series seven is nigh! But not before we dive into the requests bin and find out why Meat Loaf ended up on South Park and where Jim pulled one last great song out for the Bat musical.PLUS we continue our aimless chat about the 90s, remember the time when we were cool and complain about the pains in our bodies. All in one episode. A real roller coaster. It's good stuff!Chat out of He
7.5 - Love You Out Loud | Peace on Earth
Chat out of Hell marches gleefully onward into a pair of quite forgettable mid-era Meat Loaf tracks. We chat Meat Loaf's love of adultery in Love You Out Loud, then take a quick trip into the realm of liner-note short stories in Peace on Earth.PLUS we pitch a sitcom about C-3P0's son, solve the mystery of David Balamezi's identity and find a country musician who looks like a tech bi
7.4 - Band of Gold | If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)
Time to pay tribute to the dear departed Bonnie Tyler with two song produced (but not written) by Jim Steinman and nary a Meat Loaf in sight. PLUS a bit of chat about why Shireen Davies would sound like a belly dancer, why Bonnie was much better than Meat Loaf and the absolutely nonsense that is Jim Steinman's video for If You Were a Woman. It's good stuff!Chat out of Hell is a is a revi
7.3 - Bad Attitude | Blind Before I Stop
Meat Loaf's attitude is up for discussion this episode. Is he a sulky teenager or a mean dad? PLUS Roger Daltrey pops up, a demand for new ukulele covers of the lesser Meat Loaf back catalogue and a reasonably introspective conversation about fan culture. It's good stuff!Chat out of Hell is a is a review podcast: all music extracts are used for review/illustrative purposes. To hear the s
7.2 - The Future Ain't What it Used to Be | If It Ain't Broke, Break It
Chat out of Hell dives into the soundtrack of the awful Jim Steinman / MTV Wuthering Heights movie this episode, and surfaces with something wonderful. But also a lot of dismay. The wonderful probably does outstrip the dismay but it is a close run thing. Oh, Jim.PLUS we finally find a decent link between Meat Loaf and Star Trek, Sam tries to remember how a Bajoran space pope died, and a considered
7.1 - Stark Raving Love | Razor's Edge
We're back to discuss more of the works of music's 93rd most fractious duo. We open series seven with a chat about Jim Steinman's solo effort Stark Raving Love and manage not to insult him too hard for once, then it's off to see where Meat Loaf's ended up during the filming of the Razor's Edge video.PLUS some nonsense about Andy's Records (remember Andy's Re
Film Club 6 - Wuthering Heights (Not That One)
Time for a quick film club before we dive into series seven!In a break from Film Club tradition we only interrogate one film this episode, to give us time to talk about something good (Emily Bronte's marvellous novel Wuthering Heights) before we crash into having to discuss something awful (Jim Steinman's MTV movie transplating Wuthering Heights to 2003 California).Oh dear. Keep your com
6.6 - Torna a Sorrento | Like a Rose
From high-culture to the lowest of the low, it's Chat out of Hell!As we close out series six with listener requests, Sam pays attention to what Meat Loaf was up to when he sang with Pavarotti for the children of Bosnia, while Emma draws the short straw and has to listen to some sexist crap he did with Jack Black. But we still answer other Meat Loaf-adjacent questions, like:- What kind of song
6.5 - Love is Not Real | Our Love and Our Souls
Justin Hawkins, Sean McDonnell and a whole load of Our Souls, it's Chat out of Hell! Time to get into the deep Meat Loaf adjactent questions, like:- How many early 2000s ITV celeb reality shows can you name?- What did Brian May think of Meat Loaf?- Honestly, what was that soldier dying on the battlefield actually thinking of?PLUS we get into it with Rednex's football anthem and all the u
6.4 - Left in the Dark | A Kiss is a Terrible Thing to Waste
Off we go again! Time for us to analyse the saddest Jim Steinman you've ever heard, the fairly saddest Barbra Streisand, and just a regular Meat Loaf. And with those three gathered, we can get some answers. Answers to questions like:- What made the Everly Brothers fall out?- How many Steinman stage shows featured a motorbike in the big first act closer?- How many veterans of the UK military c
6.3 - My Little Red Book | Man of Steel
Don't tell anyone, but Emma went on holiday and Sam forgot to schedule the publishing date of the episode this week. Bit awks.BUT not half as awks as what Meat Loaf gets up to this episode! Man of what?- Why is he like this?- Why is Jim the way he is?- Why are Heck's sausages so delicious?PLUS a pretty flawed way of wedging in Rednex, and some other sundry nonsense.Keep your comments, re
6.2 - You Never Can Be Too Sure About the Girl | Rock N Roll Hero
We give Jim Steinman a rest on the bench this week, and instead discuss Meat Loaf's Divorced Dad era as he warns us about how you can't trust women in You Never Can Be Too Sure About the Girl then just sort of gently shouts a bit in Rock N Roll Hero. And while we're here, he answers questions like:- What paranormal creature is Midnight at the Lost and Found really about?- What posse
6.1 -Read 'Em and Weep | Going All the Way (A Song in Six Movements)
Here we go, diving into series six!Two delicious slices of Meat Loaf are served in the forms of Read 'Em and Weep then Going All the Way. And why we enjoy them, we'll mull over the big questions like:- What's the opposite of pearls?- What did the doctor say to the famous sad clown Barry Manilow?- Is there a finer sausage than Heck's Sausages? #thechickenonesarereallynicePLUS we
Chat out of Hell's Rory Dodd Interview
Behold, it's Chat out of Hell's Christmas Surprise!Rory Dodd, lovely man and centrepiece of the Steinman Sound, was kind enough to sit down and chat with us about his life, work, and secrets of finding good bargains in Ontario.It was an absolutely lovely conversation and we hope you like it too.See you January 12th for the next series of Chat out of Hell!Let us know what you thought of o
Film Club 5 - Spice World | Wayne's World
Ho ho ho! Time for a most festive Film Club!We'll be diving into Meat Loaf's worldliest of movies as we take a look at Spice World then realise we've talked for a normal length episode but still have to cover Wayne's World. Truly, our labours never cease.BUT THAT'S NOT ALL THE FESTIVE CHAT! Come back on Christmas Day for a very special episode indeed, we're super exci
5.6 - Somebody Loves Me | Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)
An end of term vibe delayed by a bit of illness brings us to this, the true end of term - Chat out of Hell series five, episode six. Meat Loaf gets all classy and covers Gershwin in the first half, then Emma has to explain that Good Girls go to Heaven is actually about self-enjoyment and ruins it for everyone. But we still have time to dive into the important questions, like:- Which Vaudeville per
5.5 - More Than You Deserve | California Dreamin'
As we cruise towards the end of series five, we’ve time to visit more of Jim’s dodgy musical past, but then cleanse our palate with a very modern dodgy cover of an absolute classic. And while we’re there, let’s ask some questions like:- Is Emma more of a Bert or an Ernie?- Is Jim Steinman more of a 70s Kermit the Frog or the rubbish modern one?- What did Bob Mortimer think of Mr Blobby?PLUS some m
5.4 - No Matter What | In the Land of the Pig, The Butcher is King
Chat out of Hell moves as close as it's ever been to boy band territory this episode as we check in with Jim Steinman's collab with Andrew Lloyd Webber, which somehow led to a single from Boyzone. Meanwhile Meat Loaf rocks the heck out to a track from the never-seen Batman: The Musical and we all wonder if it was a good idea. But while we do, we answer the big questions, questions like:-
5.3 - Cry Over Me | Amnesty is Granted
We call back in to see what Diane Warren's been up to this episode, as we listen to the third of her Meat songs in Cry Over Me, before Sammy Hagar barges in with the hard-rockin' Amnesty is Granted. But during all that, we get to answer the big questions:- How good a video can you make in four hours?- What was the deal with Bat out of Hell III?- Is A Very Merry Muppet Christmas any good?
5.2 - A Time For Heroes | Holding Out For a Hero
Continuing the theme of doing themes, this episode we take a look at two rockin' songs about heroes. And somehow made it through the whole thing without once talking about Cadbury's Heroes. Well done us. But we did discuss the big questions, questions like:- What on earth was going on at Marvel comics in the late 80s?- What's gone wrong with nerds lately?- Is it wise to dance on the
5.1 - Tear Me Down | Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are
Five alive! But not the delicious soft drink of the 1980s. We're back for the first proper episode of series five with an exploration of Meat Loaf's sad origins. And really, they are sad. Poor bloke. But we still managed to find some fun in there, as we also get answers to the big questions. Questions like:- Is there anything Michael Bay can't wedge an explosion into?- Is there any
Film Club 4 - Ghost Wars
It's nearly time for new Chat out of Hell, but first there's a summer blockbuster film club!And what a blockbuster it is, as we watch 13 episodes of the SyFy original series Ghost Wars. Don't say we never do anything for you.Chat out of Hell returns for series 5 on Monday 25th of August, where we'll dive into Meat Loaf's early days with Objects in the Rear View Mirror from
4.6 - Kickapoo | California Isn't Big Enough (Hey There Girl)
Chat out of Hell earns its explicit tag this week and it's all Meat Loaf's fault. It's two songs from the cheeky boys of silly rock as we start with Meat guesting on a Tenacious D song then straight into a Justin Hawkins-penned number about his schlong. You know, his nob. His junk. His bits. His wang pipe. His donger. His one-eyed trouser snake. His pump-action yoghurt gun. His liza
4.5 - Surf's Up | Masculine
Grab your boards and hit the waves, dudes. Surf's Up! Jim Steinman's sportiest song slash rude joke meets Meat Loaf's MANLIEST number in this episode. We're stuck in the 80s again, so there's big shoulders and pastel coloured suits aplenty. BUT:- How MANLY can one song be?- Was Meat Loaf in on the joke?- Why does masculinity smell just like Lynx Africa?PLUS all the usual n
4.4 - I'm Gonna Love Her For Both of Us | Making Love out of Nothing at All
There's a spate of inadequate male lovers in this episode. Is Meat Loaf's friend a bad boyfriend? Are Air Supply just a bit too full of themselves? We stay firmly in the early 80s this time with a not-hit from Dead Ringer and an arrogant Best of from Air Supply. BUT:- Is "white soul ballad" a compliment?- What's Emma's bath technique?- How sympathetic is Meat Loaf to
4.3 - (I'd Love to Be) As Heavy as Jesus | Stand in the Storm
Where did Meat Loaf's career begin? Not here, but it's quite close. Time for another break from Jim Steinman's zany antics as we dive into Meat Loaf's Motown past and his angry... well, not future. More recent past.This episode we dive into Meat's first recorded album and then some shouty angry MAN ROCK from one of his later ones. And on the way, we'll answer some of
4.2 - Dead Ringer for Love | Runnin' for the Red Light (I Gotta Life)
I don't know anything about you baby, but Chat out of Hell is everything you're dreaming of. Assuming you dream of adequate podcast analysis of the works of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman.This episode we take a break from Jim Steinman's byzantine theatre career and go back to the absolute rockers from the mouth of Meat Loaf. Dead Ringer for Love and Runnin' for the Red Light vie fo
EXTRA Bat Musical Review Special
This is a very special extra bit of Chat out of Hell. If you're interested in our thoughts on the Bat musical currently touring the UK, this is the right place!If you're not, we totally get it and we'll see you on the 5th for a proper episode instead.BYE!Bow now now nowSend us Fan MailIf you're enjoying Chat out of Hell, perhaps you'd consider joining the Chat Cave at patr
4.1 - The Dream Engine (Dream Engine) (Dreams) (Engines)
Chat out of Hell is back to go where other podcasts won't - in this case, to Jim Steinman's very first musical creation.This episode we dive into the Dream Engine - produced at Amherst College in 1969, burning a trail through rock and roll history for the rest of time. Our interepid duo dive deep into this murky sea, providing the answers to questions like:- What sort of socially aware t
Film Club 3 - Dead Ringer | Bloodrayne
Series four of Chat out of Hell is just around the corner, but first, it's FILM CLUB PART III!Our films this time are a real dichotomy - Meat Loaf plays both himself and his own obsessive fan in Dead Ringer, then he plays a sex-mad creature of the night in Bloodrayne. Or possibly I've said that the wrong way around.These are, and I can't stress this enough, dreadful films. You shou
3.6 - All Revved Up with No Place to Go | I'll Kill You if You Don't Come Back
Better late than never, it's Chat out of Hell!This episode Emma really opens up, generously unburdening herself in the name of amusement with a classic Meat Loaf Memory. Meanwhile Sam continues to fail to find any sincerity in himself, as his attempts at some Steinman-esque lyrics proves. Our questions this week:- Who invented the keyboard body strap?- Who goes around picturing women to get t
3.5 - 45 Seconds of Ecstasy | Requiem Metal
We open every episode of Chat out of Hell by asking "what is this" and it's never been more apt. Two baffling track choices hit the table today as we interrogate some of the shortest and least interesting songs in the Loaf / Steinman catalogue. We do learn a few things on the way, though. Things like:- What do Jim Steinman and Giuseppe Verdi have in common?- How long is 45 seconds?
3.4 - Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back | Loving You's a Dirty Job (But Somebody's Got to Do It)
Big hair, big complaints and big feelings, it's Chat out of Hell!This episode Emma brings our favourite car karaoke hit Life is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back for our intrepid pair to interpret, while Sam's Bonnie Tyler obsession continues in full swing as he tries to convince Emma that Loving You's a Dirty Job is a much neglected classic. This week's questions lack subtlety,
3.3 - More | Los Angeloser
New year, the same Chat out of Hell.It's the turn of our lovely listeners to suggest songs this week to give our brains a good old rest. So with trepidation Sam reports on The Sisters of Mercy's More and Emma goes away to listen to Los Angeloser and then get it stuck in her head forever.This week's big questions are the biggest:- Did Meat Loaf inspire an episode of the Simpsons?- Ho
Chat out of Hell's Christmas Horror
THIS IS NOT A NORMAL CHAT OUT OF HELLTHIS IS A HORRIBLE CHAT OUT OF HELL Please don't take time out of your Christmas Day to listen to this, it won't pay off.See you on January 6th, Loafers.Send us Fan MailIf you're enjoying Chat out of Hell, perhaps you'd consider joining the Chat Cave at patreon.com/chatoutofhellSupport the show
3.2 - Total Eclipse of the Heart | Peel Out
Massive hair, massive covers and massive driving test errors, it's Chat out of Hell!We finally get to the pinaccle of Jim's 80s output in Total Eclipse of the Heart, while Peel Out takes us to its exact middle. This time, we solve the big questions like:- Who came up with all that nonsense in the Total Eclipse video?- What if Bonnie Tyler ran a husky farm?- What time does Meat Loaf'
3.1 - Wasted Youth | Nocturnal Pleasures | I've Been Dreaming up a Storm Lately | The Want Ad
Lonely hearts, sexy motorbikes and creeeeeeeepy mirrors! It's Chat out of Hell series 3!We start this series with a tour of Jim Steinman's weirdest monologues and take on a quadrology of loquacious nonsense. On the way we get to ask the big questions like:- Did Jim Steinman talk like that ALL the time?- Can we ever hear the word "please" again without shuddering?- What is wrong
Film Club 2 - Fight Club | The Shadow
Chat out of Hell's autumn break is almost over but there's just time to squeeze in a quick round of Film Club.We dive into Meat Loaf's first big acting role in Fight Club, then just talk mostly about the admin involved in getting men to punch each other, then enjoy 90 minutes of Alec Baldwin pretending to be invisible in the Shadow. How exciting! Probably.Chat out of Hell returns fo
2.6 - Bad For Good | Original Sin
Stage monsters, diva superspies and nicking your granny's apples! It's the end of Chat out of Hell series two!The questions everyone wants to know this time:- Has Jim Steinman ever actually been on a motorbike?- Did the Shadow's catchphrase warrant being awkwardly shoehorned into a Steinman classic?Who is the bigger villain, Meat Loaf's stage persona or the real Jim Steinman?PL
2.5 - Rock & Roll Dreams Come Through | Couldn't Have Said it Better
Sexy saxophones, stirring songs and pseudo-Steinmans! It's Chat out of Hell!This episode we answer the key questions:- Where did Rory Dodd get his moustache ideas?- Where does Meat Loaf get his coats from?- What Tripadvisor rating did Beefsteak Charlie's get?PLUS all the usual blather, Emma gets in on the hashtag game (#pleasegiveemmaamichaelbaybudget), we accidentally create a podcast v
2.4 - Heaven Can Wait | Rock & Roll Mercenaries
Let's get down to it and talk business, ballads and bad 80s numbers inspired by the A-Team.This episode we'll answer questions like:- Who robbed Kermit the Frog in 1979?- Why did Bette Middler cuss out Jim Steinman so?- What military experience do these rock & roll mercenaries really have?PLUS a quick anecdote about quoting Steinman and scaring people, a perfectly-justified listener
2.3 - Everything Louder than Everything Else | Dance in My Pants
Physical impossibilities, inexplicable bagpipes and Jim Steinman trying to be sexy? Sorry. Two out of three ain't bad.But we're not here for that! We're here for the big questions like:Can we have some free A1 Sauce?What's the plot of the Adam Sandler Film That's My Boy?Seriously, can we have some free A1 Sauce?The answers to some, all or none of those are contained within
2.2 - Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire) | Hulk Hogan's Theme
A seven-minute catcall, a theme tune dashed off for an ungrateful wrestler and a horny Welsh lady making it her own! What's not to like? This episode we delve into the big questions, like:What was Jim Steinman's refridgerator-bed really like?How gross is that ancient hallway?Why is Hulk Hogan such an awful man?Once you've chewed those over we'll see you on Monday September 9th
2.1 - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)
Chat out of Hell 2: Chat into Hell kicks off here.We finally learn who won the cheeky bat mascot contest, Sam gets too involved in learning about A1 Sauce's "Sing For Your Beef" and we do get around to answering a few questions about I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That). Questions like:Why does nobody know what "that" is when it's explained in the
Film Club 1 - Streets of Fire | The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Chat out of Hell cruises to the end of its summer break with a special FILM CLUB edition.Emma has been dying to watch the Steinman-soundtracked 80s teen action flick Streets of Fire for months now. And Sam has never seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.But will at least one of them regret wasting two hours on this? Almost certainly.Chat out of Hell returns for series 2 on Monday 12th August - see yo
1.6 - I'd Lie For You (And That's the Truth) | Train of Love
The Train of Love chugs us along to the end of the line. By which we mean, series one of Chat out of Hell. But there's a few more questions to answer first. Questions like:Who knew Meat Loaf was so big into Indiana Jones fan fiction?What do Meat Loaf and Johnny Cash not have in common?Which major stage show based on music by Jim Steinman is touring the UK in 2025, and how excited does this ma
1.5 - Paradise by the Dashboard Light | Nowhere Fast
Meat Loaf's sexiest song makes it to the table. Join Sam and Emma as they delive into Paradise by the Dashboard Light then Nowhere Fast, and have a stab at the real questions in life :Which is sexier, a woman on a motorbike or a girl band?What's the best lascivious sound you can make?What IS a huckleberry?Next time: We'll wind up series on in style with Loaf/Steinman's last son
1.4 - It's All Coming Back to Me Now | Modern Girl
In the wake of Brighton Fringe we needed some slammin' music to stir us from our lethargy. And this episode provided it in spades. It's All Coming Back to Me Now and Modern Girl gave us all sorts of nonsense to chew over:Three different versions of one bangin' power ballad? Got it.Two music videos about ghosts and one about filth? Sorted.A visit with Captain Kirk to the planet where
1.3 - Martha | Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Comedians Emma Crossland and Sam Wilkinson know a bit about Meat Loaf but, as they're rapidly learning, not enough to do a review podcast. Still, they'll give it a good old go.This episode ventures into some lovely territory as we discuss Martha and the merits of Tom Waits's original versus Meat Loaf's swelling orchestral arrangement, then we all feel a bit sick as we talk abou
1.2 - You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth | Midnight at the Lost and Found
The shallowest deep delve in to the works of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman continues.Comedians Emma Crossland and Sam Wilkinson know a bit about Meat Loaf but, as they're rapidly learning, not enough to do a review podcast. Still, they'll give it a good old go.This episode sees the pair dive into Hot Summer Night and its creepy weird opening dialogue, before getting deep into why the smoky
1.1 - Bat out of Hell | Not a Dry Eye in the House
The shallowest deep delve in to the works of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman begins here.Comedians Emma Crossland and Sam Wilkinson know a bit about Meat Loaf but, as they're rapidly learning, not enough to do a review podcast. Still, they'll give it a good old go.In this opening episode our pair cast their critical eyes over the songs Bat out of Hell and Not a Dry Eye in the House and act li
