Two Out of Three Ain't Bad (1979) 10/7/20

True Story! Songwriter Jim Steinman was complaining to his friend, actress Mimi Kennedy** about not being able to sell any of his songs. Mimi told him it was because his music was “too complicated.” During the discussion, there was a radio playing in the background, and all of a sudden,, the Elvis song, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” came on. Mimi said, “Why can't you write something simple like that?”

Jim took that as a challenge and went to home to think. On a piece of paper, he wrote “I want you, I need you...” paused for a few seconds, and then wrote: “But there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you. Two Out of Three Ain't Bad.”

And thus, a “Great Song of the '70s” was born!

In 1979, Meatloaf chose “Two Out of Thee Ain't Bad” for his legendary album, “Bat Out of Hell,” and when the song was released as a single, it made the Top 15 in 5 countries...including #11 in the US. In Canada, it went to #5 on the Top 40 and #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

TRIVIA: In Japan, the title was changed and translated into “66% is Good Enough!” :-)

**NOTE: You may remember Mimi Kennedy as Dharma's mom on “Dharma and Greg”...or from her current role as Marjorie on the CBS comedy, “Mom.”**

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad:” a “Great Song of 1979! The album version is quite a bit different than the album version, so I've provided both for your listening pleasure. :-)

Single Version:

Album Version: