Making Love Out Of Nothing At All by Air Supply

Album: Greatest Hits (1983)

Charted: 2

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Air Supply wrote many of their own songs, but "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" was written by Jim Steinman, who wrote all of Meat Loaf's hits. According to an October 26, 2006 article in the Australian newspaper The Herald Sun, Steinman offered the song to Meat Loaf along with "Total Eclipse Of The Heart," but they were not able to reach an agreement over finances and this song went to Air Supply while "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" was recorded by Bonnie Tyler. The article quotes Meat Loaf as saying, "My record company was anti-Jim Steinman at the time, I was anti-record company. So we were even."
Like many of Jim Steinman's songs, "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" is a grand production with intricate lyrics about love. The lead vocal is by Russell Hitchcock, who along with Graham Russell, forms the duo Air Supply. In the song, Hitchcock lists everything he's capable of, and one thing he can't do: make love out of nothing at all. He needs some help with that one and is hoping the person he's singing to will supply it.

Even though they didn't write it, the song has a dramatic flair that's typical of Air Supply, heard on hits like "All Out Of Love" and "The One That You Love." And yeah, a lot of their hits have "love" in the title.

"I'd like to think I'm somewhat of a romantic, because otherwise my music wouldn't be real," Graham Russell told Songfacts. "But my whole background, even when I was growing up, was very much that way as well. For instance, I come from a place in England where all those great poets came from - Wordsworth and Keats and all those guys - so I was surrounded by it, and I loved poetry as a child."
Bonnie Tyler recorded her version of "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" on her 1995 album Free Spirit.
The song stalled at #2 in America, but that's Jim Steinman's own fault. It was held off the top spot (for three weeks!) by "Total Eclipse Of The Heart," which he also wrote.
Jim Steinman produced the song and brought in the musicians to record it, including Rick Derringer on guitar, Max Weinberg on drums and Roy Bittan on piano. These three also played on "Total Eclipse Of The Heart."

Outside the Steinman universe, Rick Derringer is known for his hit "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo" and for his work with Edgar Winter. Max Weinberg and Roy Bittan are members of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.
"Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" was the only new song on Air Supply's 1983 Greatest Hits compilation, which sold over 5 million copies in America, far more than any of their studio albums. Unfortunately, it was the last of their big hits.

Comments: 22

Mrose from New YorkI have a different take on this song. I think the guy has been a player; he sees dating and romance as a game (I know all the rules/And I know how to break 'em/And I always know the name of the game). He knows just how to act to make any girl *think* he likes her (the first few verses, basically). But now he's met a woman whom he's fallen completely in love with! At first he thought she'd just be another conquest, but now he has feelings for her that he hasn't had for anyone else (But I don't know how to leave you...But I'm never gonna make it without you). It's as though she made love (arise in his heart) out of nothing at all.

And he's astonished by what's happening to him. He's totally smitten with a woman for the first time (Every time I see you/all the rays of the sun are/Streaming through the waves in your hair/And every star in the sky is taking aim at your eyes/Like a spotlight). But he's not sure how to express his newfound feelings (And I'm never gonna tell you/Everything I gotta tell you/But I know I gotta give it a try).

I think that's what "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" means - that she somehow made him love her passionately, even though he felt nothing at all for other women he's had. Jim Steinman (RIP) loved to take a common phrase or cliche and put a new twist on it; every one of his songs that I've ever heard has done that. The very title of the song is often a cliche (Bat Out Of Hell, You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad... etc.) but the lyrics put a different spin on a worn-out phrase. Or maybe the phrase is reworded, like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (instead of the sun or moon). This song is just another example of how he reworks a common phrase (making love) to mean something else. He was a brilliant lyricist and is sorely missed.
Trudy from Portsmouth New Hampshire Usa Who was the military guy in the video with a blonde girl making love out of nothing at all
Lord from Neverland ExpressThis song is about someone who mastered the red pill theory and regretting their powers.
Seventhmist from 7th HeavenSteinman rules!
Susan from Atlanta, GeorgiaI love Jim Steinman's songs, and this is one of my favorites of his. It and "Total Eclipse" came out just as my marriage was breaking up, and it took a long time for me to be able to hear them without crying, but I loved them both anyway. What a brilliant songwriting talent Jim is.
Esskayess from Dallas, TxThe one and only song by this group that doesn't make me ill. Burn all the rest.
Chris from Beaver Falls, PaThe Hall and Oates song Anything Your Heart Desires, is about that state of being. That song says, "you say you can't stand to be tied so close to a lover, you feel like a prisioner and and you want to find someone who will let you out, sorry that the heart beat that you know so well, ain't what you're lookin for, what goes on behind closed doors you don't know, maybe she cries herself to sleep every night " because she just won't give or allow herself to have more true affection and from the guilt she experiences or feels for making the person that she knew so well, crawl on the floor. Technical problems with computer. Very Sorry.
Chris from Beaver Falls, PaI didn't know that this song was written by Jim Steinman. There are meanings or interpretations to songs, words, and lyrics at different levels for each person. When the song says "do you really want to see me crawl" I think it refers to someone who just will not give her affection, and no, not just sex or physical affection, it means any affection or share her life at all, and she would rather see others or her former friend, crawl or beg, before she will help him. Or help herself by having a love out of something at all, and then she goes and has not as enjoyable relationships and
Colin from Montreal, QcJim Steinman also landed a job in the 80s (or late 70s) to score a movie called "A small circle of friends") Both themes from Out of nothing at all and Total Eclipse can be heard throughout.
Paul from Detroit, MiAnd there at the top of the chart sat Total Eclipse of The Heart in 1983, while Steinman's other smash, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, was parked right behind it at #2. A grand feat for Jim Steinham. These were two masterpieces.
John from Nashville, TnThis song was the only new recording on Air Supply's first greatest hits album in 1983.
Mark from Los Angeles, CaI enjoy Jim Steinman's music and this song is great. But what's it saying? For example: people believe "Reasons" from Earth, Wind, & Fire is a great love song but it about a one-night stand (still a great song). Or, "Every Breath You Take" from the Police is about a stocker, and how people have used that song for their wedding? This song seems to be saying, no matter how I try, and no matter how much I care for you, I don't love you. I can't do what you do and that is "making love out of nothing at all." There is no "love" for you, sorry. I might be wrong, but listen closely to the lyrics on this one.
Doria from Dania Beach, Fli really like this song form air supply some relationships are like that . i am not saying most but some . i know some men like one night stands make love and then it is all over and they never want to see that person that they made love to ever again! i was in a realtionship may years ago and it got really bad i was verbaily abused and harassed . and that is why i give all of the giveing and i get nothing in return there is no giving backj! so that is why i don'T date anymore i was so heart broken that all i did was cry at my girlfriends weeed and reception and that is the night that i decided to not date not even try to and agin i find my self with a totaly different gy and he wants to not have a realtion ship with me and make love out of nothing at all!! so sums it up for me signed doria meyer
Lc from Panama City, PanamaIt's funny how a lot of these love songs don't really make sense until you've grown up a little and have become involved in a loving relationship. That's when you get it: how being with your "other" makes every moment more special.
Dougee from San Bernardino, CaI always thought that this song and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" sounded similar, so it doesn't surprise me that they were written by the same songwriter. It would have been awesome to hear Meat Loaf sing these. I hate record companies and their politics with a passion.
Jeff from Casa Grande, AzThis song is about being in the moment of serendipity, a state of grace, being the best you've ever been, where everything just fits perfectly . . . in a relationship. But, realizing, after all the intensity of being with someone is happening, it's not YOU, but the OTHER, that makes this so. And, really, it's nothing, undefinable, there are no words, and besides, words would only ruin the purity. That, and also, the real insanity of woman finding things in "nothing at all" to be all giddy about.
Dave from Liverpool, United KingdomWhen I first heard this in the early 80s, I assumed it was a song about jerking off.........
Malditha_01 from Manila, PhilippinesWell,this song is really awesome,,when i first heard this song i told to myself that this really belong to me,,one more thing that im air supply fanatic,,i love this band and i even like all their songs,,so nice,,keep it up guys...more power..
Pat from Dunedin, , FlAir Supply has been one of my favorite groups for over 30 years.......I think almost as long as I loved the Bee Gees. I love the song Nothing at All because it hits directly at the Heart of Love. It Is The Truest Kind of Love...to me.
Jim from Hershey, PaThis is an amazing and awesome song. Love is the greatest gift of all. Making Love Out of Nothing at All is a gift from God.

The lyrics and music in this song are so beautiful. I will always carry this song in my heart.
Ariana from Lima, Perudoes anybody know where can i get the version recorded with total eclipse of the heart? i love it
Genevieve from North MelbourneFeatured in the movie 'Click'

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More Songfacts:

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On MeElton John

Recording "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," Elton John was frustrated and sang the line "don't discard me" with an exaggerated American accent, which is why is sounds strange.