If I Can't Have You

Album: Hang Cool Teddy Bear (2010)
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Songfacts®:

  • This is a duet with Kara DioGuardi, at the time a judge on American Idol, who also penned the track.
  • The song features piano playing by House star Hugh Laurie. Meat Loaf encountered Laurie, a classically trained musician, whilst making an appearance in the medical drama. "I did House and found out he could play piano," Meat Loaf explained to The London Times, "so I gave him a demo and a note and the next morning I walked on the set, he comes running up to me with his arms open, 'Yeah, I'd love to!'"
  • Meat Loaf said of Laurie's contribution at a listening party: "He was really nervous at first. It was strange seeing someone so confident on TV walk into the studio like he's a quivering mess. But he nailed it."

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