Top 10 Pat Benatar Songs

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Pat Benatar did more than deliver some of the most powerful rock vocals of the late 1970s and 1980s. She helped redefine what a woman could look and sound like in hard rock, backing that image with a voice, catalog, and body of work that still command attention decades later.

Photo: Alamo25 at English Wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

While creating the Top 10 Pat Benatar Songs list, we were constantly reminded of the impact Pat Benatar had on rock and roll culture. Her arrival at the dawn of the 1980s broke ground for women not because of her role as a female singer, but because of her insistence that being female should bear no weight in her acceptance in the rock and roll scene. Many women had come before Pat Benatar and enjoyed incredible success in the music business. Artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Janis Joplin were well-respected artists. However, except for Janis Joplin, most were not viewed as heavy rock singers. Pat Benatar and Joan Jett were pioneers in women’s roles in rock and roll in the 1980s.

Pat Benatar’s well-trained, powerful, and passionate multi-octave voice easily won over true rock and roll fans. Substance and authenticity will always trump glamour and glitz in rock and roll. Pat Benatar was the real deal, and her success in rock and roll history is a tribute to her talent and body of work.

Pat Benatar’s first album, In the Heat of the Night, was released in 1979. The album contained her breakout hit “Heartbreaker.” The album was quickly followed one year later by Crimes of Passion in 1980. Pat Benatar dominated the charts for the next five years, releasing an album a year. In 1981, she released her third album, Precious Time. In 1982, Pat Benatar released Get Nervous, followed by Live from Earth in 1983, Tropico in 1984, and Seven the Hard Way in 1985.

Pat Benatar returned in 1988 with the album Wide Awake in Dreamland. A surprising blues album entitled True Love was released in 1991. Pat Benatar’s recorded output would slow down after the release of True Love. Since that album was released in 1991, Pat Benatar has released only three more studio albums, the last of which was released in 2003 and titled Go.

# 11 – “Hell Is for Children”

Well, we went to eleven with this one because we really had no choice. There were certain songs we could not leave off this list, and this was one of them. Pat Benatar’s hard-hitting song “Hell Is for Children” was recorded in 1980 for her second studio album, Crimes of Passion. Deeply affected by a series of articles on child abuse in The New York Times, Benatar and her husband, Neil Giraldo, along with Roger Capps, co-wrote the song. Giraldo also served as the album’s producer. The song resonated deeply with audiences, reaching number seven on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart and charting within the Top 40 on the US Mainstream Rock chart.

“Hell Is for Children” tackles the sensitive and disturbing topic of child abuse. The lyrics paint a harrowing picture of a child experiencing physical and emotional neglect, using stark imagery and raw emotion to convey the gravity of the situation. The song served as a powerful statement against child abuse, raising awareness and encouraging listeners to break the silence. The accompanying music video, directed by Mick Mahan, further amplifies the song’s emotional weight.

# 10 – “We Live for Love”

Pat Benatar’s “We Live for Love” opened side two of Benatar’s debut album, In the Heat of the Night. While the song’s powerful guitar opening instantly captured the audience’s attention, Benatar’s falsetto-charged vocal line in the chorus captivated a new world of fans.

Released on the album In the Heat of the Night in 1979, Pat Benatar’s “We Live for Love” marked a significant turning point in her career. The song became her first major commercial success, reaching the Top 10 in Canada and the Top 30 in the US, New Zealand, and Australia. This achievement was particularly notable for Benatar because it marked her first sizable hit in Australia.

While “Rated X” had previously found some success in France, reaching the Top 30, “We Live for Love” surpassed it, climbing into the Top 40. The song also established Benatar’s presence in the Netherlands and Belgium, where her rendition of “I Need a Lover” charted within the Top 30, further solidifying her growing international recognition.

# 9 – “Shadows of the Night”

Pat Benatar’s “Shadows of the Night” was recorded for her fourth studio album, Get Nervous. The song features Benatar on vocals, Neil Giraldo on guitar and bass, Myron Grombacher on drums, and Charlie Giordano on keyboards. The song achieved respectable commercial success, reaching number three on the US Mainstream Rock chart and charting within the Top 15 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian chart.

The song paints a vivid picture of contrasting realities. Benatar’s powerful vocals narrate the story of a woman working in a factory during the day who dreams of being a World War II fighter pilot at night. The lyrics are filled with imagery of flight and combat, juxtaposed with the mundane details of factory life. This duality reflects the yearning for adventure and escape from everyday routine, a theme that resonated deeply with audiences.

The accompanying music video for “Shadows of the Night” further enhanced the song’s story. Directed by Mark Robinson, it features Benatar interweaving scenes of her factory work with dream sequences in which she embodies the persona of a female pilot. The video also stars Judge Reinhold and Bill Paxton.

# 8 – “Fire and Ice”

Well, let us talk about success. Pat Benatar’s “Fire and Ice” was the lead single from her third album, Precious Time. The Precious Time album was released in 1981. The single “Fire and Ice” reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song also won Benatar a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

# 7 – “All Fired Up”

Pat Benatar’s recording of Kerryn Tolhurst’s “All Fired Up” would become one of her last major hits of the 1980s, a decade in which she completely dominated. Her energetic vocals matched the song’s title and reputation. The song was released on her 1988 album, Wide Awake in Dreamland.

While “All Fired Up” might conjure images of Pat Benatar’s electrifying rock persona, it has a surprising origin story. The track was originally written and performed by the Australian country rock group Rattling Sabres in 1987. Their version achieved national recognition in Australia, peaking at number 94 on the Australian Music Report chart.

However, the song’s true destiny arrived in 1988 when Pat Benatar took hold of it. Her powerful vocals and signature rock treatment transformed “All Fired Up” into a global hit. Benatar’s version resonated with audiences worldwide, propelling the song to the top of the charts in several countries. Notably, it reached number two on the Australian chart, far surpassing the original version’s success.

# 6 – “We Belong”

Released in October 1984, “We Belong” served as the lead single from Pat Benatar’s sixth studio album, Tropico. Recorded at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles, California, the song was produced by Benatar’s longtime collaborator and husband, Neil Giraldo. Alongside Benatar on vocals, the recording features Giraldo on guitar and bass, Myron Grombacher on drums, and Don Henley and Glenn Frey of the Eagles contributing backing vocals.

“We Belong” marked a stylistic departure for Benatar, showcasing a softer, more melodic side compared with her earlier rock anthems. Commercially, “We Belong” achieved significant success, reaching number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a Top 10 hit in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and Switzerland.

Lyrically, “We Belong” transcends the traditional boundaries of romantic love. While it expresses a profound connection between two individuals, it also speaks to the universal yearning for belonging and acceptance. Lines like “Anyway we belong, we try and wash away, I hear your voice inside me, I see your face everywhere” paint a picture of an intrinsic bond that transcends physical presence or circumstance.

David Hogan directed the accompanying music video. Shot against stark white backgrounds and interspersed with cascading white fabric, the video focuses primarily on Benatar’s powerful performance. The simplicity of the visuals allows the focus to remain on her emotional delivery and the universal message of connection. Toward the end, the video incorporates footage of a children’s choir joining Benatar, adding a touch of innocence and reinforcing the theme of belonging across generations.

# 5 – “Love Is a Battlefield”

Pat Benatar’s iconic hit “Love Is a Battlefield” was recorded in 1983 for her live album, Live from Earth, released in September of that year. However, the song itself was a studio recording. It was written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight and produced by Chapman and Neil Giraldo.

Released as a single in 1983, “Love Is a Battlefield” became a defining song for Benatar and a cultural phenomenon. The song achieved immense commercial success, reaching number five on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a Top 10 hit in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

The music video was directed by Bob Giraldi and further explored the song’s themes of conflict, independence, and power. Its memorable choreography and dramatic storyline helped make the video one of the defining clips of the early MTV era.

# 4 – “You Better Run”

The song “You Better Run” was initially released in 1966 by the Young Rascals. It was written by musical legends Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere. However, Pat Benatar paid great tribute to those songwriters with her monster rock version of their iconic song. Benatar’s vocals on the song should clearly be viewed as one of her career’s best rock vocal performances. The song was released on her second album, Crimes of Passion. It was also the second music video ever aired on MTV, after the Buggles’ debut with “Video Killed the Radio Star.” The song was chosen as the lead single from her second album before the release of “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.”

# 3 – “Promises in the Dark”

The second single released from the Precious Time LP was Benatar’s early rock masterpiece “Promises in the Dark.” The song’s musical introduction, verses, and guitar-laden hooks were clearly representative of Neil Giraldo’s writing style. Once again, Benatar’s wide vocal range soared above the song’s rock groove and changes toward a level of performance that few singers of her era could match.

The song achieved moderate commercial success, peaking at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the Top 20 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. Notably, the song enjoyed greater success overseas, reaching number 16 in France and charting within the Top 40 in several other European countries.

# 2 – “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”

Many musical artists hope they may be responsible for releasing a song that becomes part of mainstream culture in a way that exceeds their own popularity. We cannot speak personally for Pat Benatar’s feelings on that concept. Still, we can argue that Eddie Schwartz’s “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” is regarded as the most popular Pat Benatar song ever released.

Many would argue that it is one of the most famous rock songs ever. When a song is used in sporting events and other cultural rituals, it becomes forever ingrained in popular culture. “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” was released on the Crimes of Passion album.

The song reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a Top 10 hit in several other countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, it reached the Top 10 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. The accompanying music video was directed by Keith MacMillan.

# 1 – “Heartbreaker”

Pat Benatar’s breakout song, “Heartbreaker,” remains one of the most exciting rock and roll songs ever. If you were alive and wide awake in America in the late 1970s and first heard this song on the radio in 1979, you were stopped dead in your tracks by a voice that sounded like no other. Her a cappella vocal riff in the middle of the song was one of those rare rock moments that cemented her arrival in rock lore.

Pat Benatar had bigger hits later in her career, but “Heartbreaker” arrived when punk and new wave dominated radio airplay. Ultimately, talent always trumps style, and Benatar kicked the punk performers out of her way. “Heartbreaker” was released on Pat Benatar’s debut album, In the Heat of the Night.

Pat Benatar’s catalog runs deep. Check out our reviews and rankings, including Pat Benatar Albums Ranked, our look at In the Heat of the Night, and 10 Biggest Pat Benatar Hits. For complete coverage, do not miss our Complete List of Pat Benatar Songs from A to Z and Complete List of Pat Benatar Albums and Discography.

Benatar was part of a wave of powerhouse female rock vocalists who defined the decade. Check out our coverage of Joan Jett, Heart, Stevie Nicks, Cyndi Lauper, and Bonnie Tyler.