MEAT LOAF - MODERN GIRL

Released: September 28, 1984

Charts:  UK: #17 

“Modern Girl” is a song by Meat Loaf, written by Paul Jacobs and Sarah Durkee. Released as the first single from his 1984 Bad Attitude album, it became one of Meat Loaf’s rare hits during the 1980s. The song reached number 16 on the Irish charts and number 17 in the UK, marking a modest commercial success.

“Modern Girl” is a powerful anthem about rejecting outdated societal norms and embracing progress and change. The song tells a story of longing for a better future and a search for identity amidst a world shaped by past mistakes. Using imagery like a “stormy night” and metaphors like a “modern girl,” the lyrics symbolize hope, innovation, and breaking free from tradition.

It critiques historical failures, comparing the world to a “broken-down machine,” while emphasizing innocence and the potential for a fresh start. The recurring chorus highlights the pursuit of a brighter future, where the “modern girl” represents a new era of freedom and individuality. The song concludes with a call for generational change, celebrating the courage to break from the past and create a better, independent path forward.

The music video directed by Brian Grant, features Meat Loaf in a leather jacket as he moves through a series of vignettes portraying “modern” women in different contexts. It opens with a depiction of a “Miss America” character alongside “Mr. Right,” now living as new parents. The narrative shifts to a biker-themed sequence before culminating in a grand, gospel-inspired chorus. The video ends with a fade-out, differing from the continuous audio track on the album.