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Music Stories Episode 5 (Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot)
Welcome to music stories. I’m your host, Damian DeadLove. Tonight’s artist is, Pat Benatar. One of my listeners asked me about doing a story on her, well I got one for you. I’m a fan of Mrs. Benatar for sure, I dig the 80’s. Well maybe everything except Reganomics, and a few other miscalculations that era made. But musically speaking it was mostly stellar.
Pat Benatar’s career started in 1979 with the release of the album -“In The Heat Of The Night”. Which spawned the singles, “Heartbreaker”, and “We Live For Love”. The latter song was penned by her lead guitarist, Neil Giraldo. Who later would become her husband when they married in 1982. They remain married to present day. That’s love people.
Her peak years were from 1979 to 1988, roughly spanning close to a decade. She continues to make music and tours till this day. With her axe-slinging hubby by her side.
She had lots of hits including: “We Belong”, “Love Is A Battlefield”, “Shadows Of The Night”, “Fire and Ice”, and “Invincible “ to name a few. Pound for pound, “Invincible” is probably my favorite song she does. Your probably wondering why I’m not mentioning her biggest hit ever. All in due time folks.
First off I wanna say her voice and range are incredible. She personifies the term “Rocker Chick” for sure. The personality matches her voice on stage. She's for real!
She does write songs, but most are the deep cuts on her albums. When you’re a solo artist the corporate suits often use other songwriters when it comes to hits. Sad but true, she was not exempt from this practice. That takes nothing away from her performance on those songs.
As I was alluding to earlier you might notice I did not mention her biggest hit, and signature song. That’s because it’s the crucial piece of the story. Fasten your seatbelts people.
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” is the tune we’re here to discuss. That song was huge, and concertgoers expect to hear your hits when attending a concert.
Well in 2022, a Rolling Stone Magazine article was released. In which Benatar stated that she would no longer be performing the song at concerts. I’m sure some fans are still upset about that fact. But here’s the skinny!
Her reasoning to me is very sound in my opinion. She said, “She can’t get up on stage and smile through the lyrics anymore”. After all the mass shootings and victims of gun violence, she feels it sends the wrong message. I think there is merit to her feelings, and she has the right not to perform the song.
I get where she’s coming from. I have a vault full of lyrics, and some of my older work I wouldn’t publish anywhere. Because I’m not the person who wrote those words anymore. I don’t believe some of those things now. If that makes sense?
Well that’s our show for the night. I hope you enjoy this story. Remember music is the soundtrack of our lives. Peace, Love, and Lennon.
Damian DeadLove
Pat Benatar’s career started in 1979 with the release of the album -“In The Heat Of The Night”. Which spawned the singles, “Heartbreaker”, and “We Live For Love”. The latter song was penned by her lead guitarist, Neil Giraldo. Who later would become her husband when they married in 1982. They remain married to present day. That’s love people.
Her peak years were from 1979 to 1988, roughly spanning close to a decade. She continues to make music and tours till this day. With her axe-slinging hubby by her side.
She had lots of hits including: “We Belong”, “Love Is A Battlefield”, “Shadows Of The Night”, “Fire and Ice”, and “Invincible “ to name a few. Pound for pound, “Invincible” is probably my favorite song she does. Your probably wondering why I’m not mentioning her biggest hit ever. All in due time folks.
First off I wanna say her voice and range are incredible. She personifies the term “Rocker Chick” for sure. The personality matches her voice on stage. She's for real!
She does write songs, but most are the deep cuts on her albums. When you’re a solo artist the corporate suits often use other songwriters when it comes to hits. Sad but true, she was not exempt from this practice. That takes nothing away from her performance on those songs.
As I was alluding to earlier you might notice I did not mention her biggest hit, and signature song. That’s because it’s the crucial piece of the story. Fasten your seatbelts people.
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” is the tune we’re here to discuss. That song was huge, and concertgoers expect to hear your hits when attending a concert.
Well in 2022, a Rolling Stone Magazine article was released. In which Benatar stated that she would no longer be performing the song at concerts. I’m sure some fans are still upset about that fact. But here’s the skinny!
Her reasoning to me is very sound in my opinion. She said, “She can’t get up on stage and smile through the lyrics anymore”. After all the mass shootings and victims of gun violence, she feels it sends the wrong message. I think there is merit to her feelings, and she has the right not to perform the song.
I get where she’s coming from. I have a vault full of lyrics, and some of my older work I wouldn’t publish anywhere. Because I’m not the person who wrote those words anymore. I don’t believe some of those things now. If that makes sense?
Well that’s our show for the night. I hope you enjoy this story. Remember music is the soundtrack of our lives. Peace, Love, and Lennon.
Damian DeadLove
Published 28th Jul 2024
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28th Jul 2024 10:21am
29th Jul 2024 2:47am
Thanks so much for your commentary and kind words. I'm a fan of her work as well. I'm glad you found it informative. Appreciate you.
DL
DL
28th Jul 2024 10:30am
Dear DL,
Oh what fun and memories her songs evoke. I think I read once, she is classically trained in opera before making the leap to rock. Very interesting insight to the Hit Me song.
These stories are such a great concept. I feel as though I’ve been transported to an earlier era and excitedly anticipating your radio show to listen to these wonderful stories about all my favorites singers. H🌷
Oh what fun and memories her songs evoke. I think I read once, she is classically trained in opera before making the leap to rock. Very interesting insight to the Hit Me song.
These stories are such a great concept. I feel as though I’ve been transported to an earlier era and excitedly anticipating your radio show to listen to these wonderful stories about all my favorites singers. H🌷
29th Jul 2024 2:54am
H,
Thanks so much for your commentary and kind words. She is classically trained, in fact she almost went to Julliard. But decided on a smaller school. I'm glad you like the concept. It's just something I thought I could do, while expressing my love for music and it's history. A possible show is in the works. Thanks for your support. Appreciate you.
DL
Thanks so much for your commentary and kind words. She is classically trained, in fact she almost went to Julliard. But decided on a smaller school. I'm glad you like the concept. It's just something I thought I could do, while expressing my love for music and it's history. A possible show is in the works. Thanks for your support. Appreciate you.
DL
There was a mentally unstable woman in town who insisted I was Pat Benatar. She said it as an accusation, I found that part interesting. So eventually I learned that when I walked into the store and she was there and started singing "well you're a real tough cookie with a long history, of breaking little hearts like the one in me..." That it seemed to sooth her and she would eventually laugh and join in on the chorus.
This was a cool piece Damien. I enjoyed it very much.
This was a cool piece Damien. I enjoyed it very much.
29th Jul 2024 2:59am
Thanks so much for your commentary and kind words. The RL, really means a lot to me. That is a fascinating story, as I've said before you're a wonderful storyteller even in the comment section. I'm glad you enjoyed, thanks so much for your support. Appreciate you.
DL
DL
28th Jul 2024 1:46pm
This is another informative piece. I always wondered why she stopped that song. As for you saying that you have things that you have written down that are no longer relevant I do understand that. Enjoyed it. Fia xoxo
29th Jul 2024 3:05am
Fia,
Thanks so much for your commentary and kind words. It really means a lot to me. By the way thanks for the request of a story on her. I like interaction and seeing if I can come up with a good story. Yeah, I was a different person on some of that material way back when. I respect and appreciate it though, because without it I'm not the person or writer I am today. As always, Appreciate you.
DL
Thanks so much for your commentary and kind words. It really means a lot to me. By the way thanks for the request of a story on her. I like interaction and seeing if I can come up with a good story. Yeah, I was a different person on some of that material way back when. I respect and appreciate it though, because without it I'm not the person or writer I am today. As always, Appreciate you.
DL
31st Jul 2024 1:03pm
All I can say with Pat Benatar is that my mother graduated high school with her & I believe they were in a few school plays together. She's a talented vocalist. Had so many hits in the late 70's, into the early to mid 80's. Early MTV years. I remember them well.
Cool write, great description.
Cool write, great description.
31st Jul 2024 10:10pm
Thanks so much for your commentary. Well that's cool that your mother knew her. She was huge in the MTV years when they did actual music. It's a shit show of a network these days. She did have a great voice, she was classically trained. Could have went to Juilliard, which means you gotta be talented to even be considered. She chose a smaller school. Appreciate you.
DL
DL
