Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin the iconic "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar from her 1980 album Crimes of Passion. This track, written by Canadian songwriter Eddie Schwartz, was inspired by an unusual source: a bioenergetics therapy session where Schwartz punched pillows to release hostility. He recalled stepping outside the session in Toronto and the song’s title just hitting him, sparking the creation of this rock anthem. The song became Benatar’s first Top 10 hit in the US, peaking at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over a million copies, earning a gold certification from the RIAA. Its infectious energy made it a staple at baseball and soccer games and a favorite in aerobics classes during the early '80s, with Benatar’s bold fashion influencing the workout scene.

Another juicy tidbit about "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" involves its journey to Benatar’s hands. Schwartz’s demo was nearly lost when his music publishing company erased it, unimpressed. Luckily, an engineer saved a copy, and the song found its way to a producer who played it repeatedly. Legend has it Benatar overheard it through a wall during a meeting and was instantly hooked. However, in 2022, Benatar made headlines when she announced she would no longer perform the song live, citing its tongue-in-cheek lyrics like “fire away” as inappropriate in light of mass shootings in the US. She told USA Today, “I can’t say those words out loud with a smile on my face, I just can’t,” urging fans to listen at home instead. This decision stirred some fan backlash, but Benatar stood firm, calling it her “small contribution to protesting.”

Pat Benatar, born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski on January 10, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York, kicked off her musical journey far from the rock stage. Raised in a female-heavy household in Lindenhurst, Long Island, she initially pursued classical training, dreaming of becoming an opera singer. At 19, she married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Benatar, and worked as a bank teller while singing in local lounges. Her early career took a jazzy turn, performing Liza Minnelli-style cabaret and recording commercial jingles to make ends meet. A pivotal moment came when she discovered her gritty rock voice, which led to a gig at Catch A Rising Star in New York City. Her performance there caught the attention of Chrysalis Records, who signed her in 1978. Benatar’s debut album, In the Heat of the Night (1979), featured hits like “Heartbreaker,” but it was Crimes of Passion that catapulted her to stardom, solidifying her as a trailblazing female rocker.

Benatar’s rise wasn’t without challenges. She navigated a male-dominated music industry, facing misogyny and competition that pitted female artists against each other. Despite this, she became one of MTV’s earliest stars, with her cover of “You Better Run” being the second video ever aired on the channel in 1981. Her partnership with guitarist Neil Giraldo, whom she married in 1982, became a cornerstone of her success, blending her powerful mezzo-soprano with his dynamic production. Fans can connect with Benatar on her official website, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks wanting more, check out the fan-driven Pat Benatar Fan Club on Facebook or explore tributes like the Pat Benatar Fan Club section on her site, where devotees share their love for her timeless hits.