MEAT LOAF - OBJECTS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR MAY APPEAR CLOSER THAN THEY ARE

Released: April 25, 1994

Charts:  US: #38   UK: #26 

“Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are” is a song by Meat Loaf, composed by Jim Steinman. Released in 1994, it reached #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and #26 on the UK Top 40. The title holds the record for the longest un-bracketed song title (52 characters) as of 2007. The title, derived from a car mirror warning, also serves as a metaphor for how vivid memories can distort the perception of time, making the past feel closer than it is and harder to let go.

“Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are” was one of the standout tracks from Meat Loaf’s 1993 album “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell”, a sequel to the 1977 classic “Bat Out of Hell”. Both albums feature songs written by Jim Steinman, known for his grandiose and emotionally charged compositions. The song, written last for the album, was described by Steinman as gruesomely hard to write but also deeply passionate. He highlighted its use of religious imagery, themes of resurrection, fertility, rebirth, and sexual and automotive metaphors, making it one of the most evocative tracks on the record.

The song is a deeply personal and reflective track where Meat Loaf sings about themes of loss, memory, and time distortion. One poignant moment is his reference to the death of his “best friend Kenny,” likely a tribute to Kenney Robb, memorialized in the liner notes of the 1981 album “Dead Ringer”.

The original album version spans 10:15, making it an epic piece, while the single version was edited to 5:54 to fit radio play. The music video version was 7:42, bridging the gap between the two and retaining much of its emotional and narrative impact. It was the longest Top 40 hit of 1994, even in its shortened form.

The music video was directed by Michael Bay and portrays themes of loss, trauma, and nostalgia. Cinematographer Allen Daviau helped create a haunting visual narrative. The video follows three key stories: 

Kenny’s death: A young boy crashes a plane, devastating his father (played by Robert Patrick) and leaving the protagonist haunted by his friend’s memory. 

Abuse at home: The protagonist’s father appears as a family man but is an abusive alcoholic, driving the protagonist to run away and claim his independence. 

A transformative love: The protagonist finds solace with an older woman who teaches him about love and intimacy, depicted through a sensual car scene.

Throughout the video, Meat Loaf sings the line “Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are” as images of the ghostly plane, the woman, and his younger self remind the protagonist of how vivid and inescapable his past remains.