On This Day in 1993: Meat Loaf Scored His First-Ever U.S. and U.K. No. 1 Hit, Topping Charts in 28 Countries
via Old Man Live Music "Audio Channel" / YouTube
A Giant Leap in Fame
On October 23, 1993, Meat Loaf achieved a major milestone when his song I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) reached No. 1 in both the U.S. and the U.K.. Written by Jim Steinman and released as the lead single from the album Bat Out of Hell II : Back Into Hell, the track sold millions and became his most successful hit.
The song went beyond those two major markets—it hit No. 1 in 28 countries, making it a worldwide phenomenon.
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A Unique Record’s Success
In the U.K., the song spent seven weeks at No. 1, making it the biggest single of that year. In the U.S., it became his first and only Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single.
Critics look at the single as a major moment in rock—its power-ballad style and dramatic production shifted what mainstream rock singles could be.
Behind the Hit
Steinman’s epic songwriting and Meat Loaf’s dramatic delivery combined for a song that ranged from soft verses to big-rock choruses. On the track, a female voice joins for part of the story—a singer credited simply as “Mrs. Loud” (later identified as Lorraine Crosby).
The wide appeal of the track came from its sweeping themes of love and sacrifice, and the memorable hook, “I’d do anything for love, but I won’t do that.” Many fans still debate what the “that” refers to.
Impact and Legacy
For Meat Loaf this single reshaped his career. After years of success yet no chart-topper, he now stood at the summit. It revived interest in Bat Out of Hell II and his earlier works alike.
The scale of the hit helped it earn industry honors, including a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo. Because of the song’s success in so many countries, it remains one of rock’s notable global hits, showing how high a single track could climb across different markets all at once.
Why the Date Matters
October 23 marks a turning point in rock history—when a song stretched the boundaries of what a rock single could accomplish on the charts.
Its reach in 1993 across continents, and its strong performance in the U.S. and U.K., make it a key moment for both Meat Loaf and the genre he helped define.
