The soft rock power ballad was the final song written for Meat Loaf’s debut album “Bat Out of Hell“, and details the story of a character breaking up with their girlfriend in first person. The song also highlights the importance of a genuine romantic connection, rather than just a physical and sexual one. In 2003, VH1 created a documentary series discussing and covering the best albums created (titled “Ultimate Albums”), in which the writer of Meat Loaf’s songs – Jim Steinman – recalled the writing and inspiration of the song:

“[…] the oldies station was on the radio and it was playing that old Elvis song, ‘I Want You, I Need,’ whatever it was. ‘I Want You, I Need You, I Love You’, you know. I just started singing my own song but it was ‘I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.’… I remember going home and I tried so hard but the best I could do was: ‘I want you, I need you but there ain’t no way I’m ever gonna love you, don’t be sad, ’cause two out of three ain’t bad’.”