Meat Loaf Q&A: Rock Legend on Getting Bullied Over His Weight, Turning Down 'Idol' and Why the Country Is Going to 'Hell'

Is it hard for you to leave the comfort zone of what so many expect from you, as far as albums go?

I have no fear about that. Risks are easy for me as an artist. Like, despite what many said to me back then, I had no fear of making the first 'Bat Out of Hell' [laughs[. And we got slammed when that thing first came out. For Jim Steinman, it wasn't that big a deal. Water just rolls off his back like a duck. But me, I was tormented. I mean, I'd still do it over again the same way, but for me, when I get attacked it still kind of hurts. Goes back to when I was a kid.

Can you explain that?

Kids made fun of me because of my weight. I was teased and bullied all over the place. True, there were times I beat the hell out of kids that did that, but still [laughs]. Starting out as an actor, I actually got good reviews in plays that got bad reviews -- they liked my acting but hated everything else. Then comes the first 'Bat' album. These amazing characters in Jimmy's little play. What a concept. I don't think people fully understood the tongue-in-cheekiness of it and the pure pop genius of it. But man, those critiques? They were just insulting attacks on me. They really hurt me. That record was great! I'm very sensitive, but like when I was a kid, if I fell I'm unjustly criticized, then I get angry and I want to fight back. So I did, and it's what got me here to this point in my career. Look, I've learned. People either love me or hate me -- there's no middle ground [laughs].

Changing topics Meat, did you know Whitney Houston?

I did, I knew her and I loved her. Her death has really shaken me up. First time I saw her was in London, about 1984 or so, singing in a small venue. Her mom Cissy and Dionne Warwick were there. I just went up to introduce myself not anticipating that anyone would know me. That's how I am. I never expect anyone to know me. But she knew, she flipped out a little and we ended up talking for 45 minutes that first night. I want to say this about Whitney -- there are singers who, well, it's like golfing with a world-class pro. They hit the ball and it takes off like normal, but then at the last second explodes and just goes into another dimension, right? Well, I think there are three singers that I have heard that I think have that thing, that jetpack quality to their voice that just lets it take off.

And they are?

OK, ya ready? Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Adam Lambert.

Wow, you put Adam Lambert in some pretty good company!

Have you seen the clip on YouTube of him singing with Queen, in that MTV clip from Belfast? Look it up. He hits overdrive and you may not believe it. What he does is amazing. Top three! I am not kidding. That kid is something else. He's real.

You seem like you'd be a great judge on 'American Idol' or some other singing competition show.

Do you know they asked me about it the second season? I turned them down. But I am very analytical, it's part of my problem, and it's part of my strength -- I over-analyze. But truthfully, I think 'The Voice' is a better show. Man, I would love to be a mentor on that show. Let's put that out there right now to anyone reading this. I would love it. I would take it so seriously, would work so hard and would give my heart and soul to that gig if I had it. I pride myself on being able to work like that. I love who they have on there now but if they had room, I'd do it. In a minute.

If only people could hear the passion in your voice as you talk about these things.

What can I tell you? I'm emotional, man. Seriously! Last night I cried at the end of a 'Star Trek'!