Fire and Ice

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as we spin Fire and Ice by Pat Benatar from her 1981 album Precious Time! This scorching track, co-written by Benatar, Tom Kelly, and Scott Sheets, is a fiery anthem about a lover who burns hot then turns ice-cold, leaving hearts in pieces. The song’s blistering guitars and Benatar’s vocal rage helped it climb to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart, even snagging her a second Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1982. Fun fact: the music video for Fire and Ice was shot back-to-back with Promises in the Dark on the same soundstage, with Benatar rocking the same outfit, making it a double-dose of early ‘80s rock visuals. Despite its chart peak, some felt the song deserved more love, as radio bias against female rockers made airplay tough, yet Precious Time still sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.

In a Songfacts interview, it’s revealed that Fire and Ice captures Benatar’s knack for singing about intense, rollercoaster relationships, with lyrics like “You come on like a flame, then you turn a cold shoulder” delivering a knockout punch. The song’s raw energy came from a tight collaboration with her band, including guitarist Scott Sheets, who also co-wrote it, and her future husband, Neil Giraldo, whose searing solos amplify the track’s heat. Benatar herself has spoken about the era’s grueling demands, telling In the Studio with Redbeard that she was rebounding from a bad marriage while falling for Giraldo during the Precious Time recording, which fueled the album’s emotional depth. Fans on Reddit have shared their love for the vinyl experience of this track, noting its crisp, powerful sound that still resonates decades later.

Pat Benatar’s journey to rock stardom began in Lindenhurst, New York, where she was born Patricia Andrzejewski in 1953. Initially trained in classical music and theater, she dreamed of becoming an opera singer, even studying at Juilliard briefly before choosing a different path. Her big break came in the late ‘70s at a New York club, Catch a Rising Star, where her powerful voice caught the attention of Chrysalis Records. By 1979, her debut album, In the Heat of the Night, exploded with hits like Heartbreaker, establishing her as a force in rock. Her partnership with Neil Giraldo, both musically and personally, became the backbone of her career, blending her operatic range with his gritty guitar riffs to create a signature sound. Her 1980 album Crimes of Passion, featuring Hit Me with Your Best Shot, cemented her as a trailblazer for women in rock.

You can keep up with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo on their official website, where you’ll find tour dates and news. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates and throwback posts that’ll make any Zoo Freak’s heart race. Fans can also dive into tribute communities like FIRE And ICE, a Denver-based band honoring Benatar’s legacy, or Fire & Ice, an East Coast tribute with Benatar’s official blessing, featured on her fan site. For more fan love, check out the Pat Benatar Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect and share their passion for her timeless hits.