For some reason, “Out of the Frying Pan (And into the Fire)” seems to get short shrift in being among Steinman’s real classics, even though it is a highlight every time it shows up anywhere, no matter who is singing it or what context is around it. Steinman has even done little to change it…

This is one of the more quintessential Jim Steinman songs to me, because it’s this enormous, glorious mess. Not all of the parts seem to belong, but they’re all good, and there are some just wonderfully garish lead guitars culminating in a fantastic solo from Todd Rundgren. The song begins with a booming guitar chord…

“I remember everything! I remember every little thing as if it happened only yesterday.” So begins Steinman’s first (but not last) solo speech on record, his tale of fantastical guitar smashing. There are background sounds from synth player Larry Fast, but those frankly do not matter much. This is a dramatic monologue, and this is…