Backstage (Pat Benatar – Hit Me With Your Best Shot)

    Welcome, Backstage. 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