In Mealoaf's song "I would do anything for love" what is the one thing he won't do?

Question

"I would do anything for love, but I won't do that"

What is 'that' that he won't do?

Answer 1

For the final two sections, the girl guesses that he eventually do things to upset her and their relationship: firstly that he'd forget all of their memories and feelings between them and want "to move on", and, secondly, will be "screwing around." Both times, he responds "But I won't do that."

All Music Guide said that "Meat Loaf sells the borderline-campy lyrics with a full-throated vocal whose stirring sense of conviction brings out the heart hidden behind the clever phrases."[6]


[edit] Perceived ambiguity of "that"
Each verse comprises two things that he would do for love, followed by one thing that he would not do. It is that latter part of each chorus that is the "that" of the title. However, some people misunderstand the lyrics, claiming that the singer never identifies what the "that" is that he is unwilling to do.[8] Indeed, Steinman predicted this confusion during production.[9] All Music Guide also misunderstand the lyric, saying that they "build suspense by portraying a romance-consumed lover who pledges to do anything in the name of love except "that," a mysterious thing that he will not specify."[6] They say that the mystery is revealed during the closing stages of the song, but do not observe that "that" is revealed in every chorus throughout.

Although some people assume that "that" is an exophoric reference to a sex act,[10] it is actually an anaphoric reference to the varying activities and feelings that are specified as antecedents in the lyric that the singer says that he won't do.

Jimmy always said, "You know what? Nobody's gonna get it." And he was right.
-- Meat Loaf[9]
"I'll never forget the way you feel right now ..."
"I'll never forgive myself if we don't go all the way tonight ..."
"I'll never do it better than I do it with you ..."
"I'll never stop dreaming of you every night of my life ..."
In addition, the female vocalist identifies two other things that the lead singer denies that he will do: "You'll see that it's time to move on" and "You'll be screwing around." To both of these, the lead singer emphatically responds, "I won't do that! No, I won't do that!"

Meat Loaf says that the question "what is 'that'?" is one of the most popular questions he is asked.[10]. In his 1998 VH1 Storytellers special, he even explained it on stage using a blackboard and a pointing stick.

In his cameo in Spiceworld, he is asked to fix a toilet for the Spice Girls. He says that he would do anything for them, but he won't do that.

Jim Steinman, in an interview, states that the definition of "that" is fully revealed in the song in each of the several verses in which it is mentioned. He intended the "that" reference to be a "puzzle" which would be ambiguous at first, but which could be solved by attentive listening to the lyrics.

Answer 2

Holy crap, it's been way too long since you made one of these. "Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown, what a classic :P "Nothing to Me" by Annihilator BQ: Nerdcore Hip-Hop, but don't tell anyone. EDIT: OH SNAP I missed them >:(

Answer 3

It means a lot of different things based on where you are at in the song and what is being asked of him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_would_do_anything_for_love

Answer 4

It's probably anal intercourse with him as the submissive. I heard he's tried it before and now he won't do that no no he won't do that

Answer 5

Tell her that he loves her. He feels that it would be the kiss of death for their relationship.

Answer 6

I think it's either marry her or tell her that he loves her

Answer 7

share his Dr. Pepper

Answer 8

Lose weight.

Answer 9

I think he means he wont cheat on her

Answer 10

I think it's marriage