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"Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are" is a song composed and written by Jim Steinman, and recorded by Meat Loaf. The song was released in 1994 as the third single from the album ''Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell'' and it reached #38 on US's ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and #26 in the UK Top 40. With its chart success, this song became the hit with the longest un-bracketed title .〔(【引用サイトリンク】work=everyhit.com )〕 The title is derived from the safety warning on car side mirrors in the US, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear". Steinman reused the melody, with new lyrics by Michael Kunze, for "Die Unstillbare Gier", a song in the ''Tanz der Vampire'' productions, and for "Confession of a Vampire" in the ill-fated US version (''Dance of the Vampires''). Musically it could be noted that the piano chords played by Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band member and long time Jim Steinman studio pianist Roy Bittan consist mainly of dual voicings as opposed to the usual triads. E.g. the initial F-Major chord is played only with the "c" and the "a" while the triad completing "f" is played an octave lower with the left hand. This subtle pattern continues throughout almost the entire song except where dramatic power chords are used. ==Music and lyrics== "Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are" is a three-part narrative, centred upon the seasons summer, winter and spring. According to Allmusic, it draws "its inspiration from the singer’s often-tragic childhood. The lyrics portray a man who has overcome tragedies in his life yet still feels haunted by their memory." BBC.co.uk also says that the song about a "melancholy middle-aged man reminiscing about his youth... is in many ways uncomfortably close to home, dealing as it does with episodes uncannily similar to events in his own life."〔(【引用サイトリンク】work=BBC.co.uk )〕 Steinman says that it was "the hardest song to write and get across." It's a very passionate song. It's really, I think maybe, the most passionate one on the record. I mean, I'm really proud of it because that's really one that goes over-the-top in the sense that it's got images - it has religious imagery of resurrection, it's got images of fertility and rebirth, it has really very good sexual images, images of cars - which I always like. ''Allmusic'' says "the music takes the concept of a power ballad to epic heights: the verses build from somber softness to piercing heights of drama before giving way to a chorus that releases the tension with a meditative melodic figure that underlines the hypnotically-repeated title in a soothing fashion."〔 The first verse is set in summer, when "the skies were pure and the fields were green." The vocalist describes his close friendship with his best friend, who dies prematurely in a crash.〔The lyrics do not make clear what kind of crash, although the music video uses a flying accident.〕 Although Kenny has died, the vocalist reveals how his memory lives on: :''There are times I think I see him peeling out of the dark'' :''I think he's right behind me now and he's gaining ground'' Each verse concludes by declaring that the preceding events "were long ago" and "far away." He compares his life to a highway, and his soul to a car. This leads on to a repetition of the title. The second verse is darker in tone. The season is winter, when "dreams would freeze," and the sun has "descended." The lyrics document a physically abusive "dangerous and drunk" father, reflecting Meat Loaf's real life youth.〔 Like the first verse, the memories of the past still affect the present. :''And though the nightmares should be over'' :''Some of the terrors are still intact'' :''I'll hear that ugly coarse and violent voice'' :''And then he grabs me from behind and then he pulls me back '' Again, the title is repeated several times, softly at first, building into a more dramatic intensity. ''Allmusic'' says it starts "with gentle piano and synthesizer licks that are built up with power chords to enhance their drama and weaving stirring, choir-styled backing vocals into the chorus that keep its repetition fresh by giving it new layers."〔 An instrumental piano and guitar section bridges the second and third verses. The "choir-styled" wordless background vocals were arranged by Todd Rundgren. Guitar is gradually given more emphasis in the mix as the band plays the melody of the verse, concluding with the instrumental of the opening line of the verse. The third verse describes "a beauty living on the edge of town" and a seemingly intense sexual relationship. However, their relationship ends. Conforming to the structure of the song, and its title, her memory is still present. :''She used her body just like a bandage;'' :''She used my body just like a wound'' :''I'll probably never know where she disappeared'' :''But I can see her rising up out of the back seat now'' :''Just like an angel rising up from a tomb '' After the title line is repeated twelve times, with growing volume and intensity, the vocalist quietly repeats the first four lines of the above. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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