About the song
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” is one of Pat Benatar’s most iconic songs, and its energy is truly palpable during her live performances. Released in 1980 on her second album, *Crimes of Passion*, this track quickly became a defining anthem of Benatar’s career, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidifying her status as a rock powerhouse. The song, written by Eddie Schwartz, is a perfect blend of catchy pop hooks and rock bravado, which resonated with audiences then and continues to do so today.
Benatar’s live rendition of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” adds an extra layer of intensity and authenticity that only a seasoned performer can deliver. Her powerful vocals, which have always been the centerpiece of her music, shine even brighter on stage, where she commands the audience with every note. The song’s lyrics, which challenge an adversary to bring their best, seem to take on a new meaning when performed live, with Benatar delivering them with a defiance and confidence that has become her trademark.
In these live settings, the instrumentation often takes on a rawer, more urgent quality. The guitar riffs, driven by her long-time collaborator and husband Neil Giraldo, are sharper and more aggressive, perfectly complementing Benatar’s voice. The rhythm section, with its steady, driving beat, provides a solid foundation that keeps the energy high from start to finish. The live version of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” often features extended solos and interactions with the audience, which only enhance the song’s impact.
Over the years, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” has become a staple in Benatar’s live shows, and it never fails to get the crowd on their feet. It’s a song that encapsulates the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll—bold, unapologetic, and full of life. For many fans, seeing Pat Benatar perform this track live is a highlight of any concert, a moment that captures the essence of what makes her such a lasting and influential figure in the music world. Whether it’s the first time or the hundredth, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” always hits its mark, proving that Benatar is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of rock music.
Video
Lyrics
Well you’re the real tough cookie with a long history
Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
That’s okay, let’s see how you do it
Put up you dukes, let’s get down to it
Hit me with your best shot
Why don’t you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
You come on with it, come on
You don’t fight fair
But that’s okay, see if I care
Knock me down, it’s all in vain
I get right back on my feet again
Hit me with your best shot
Why don’t you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
Well you’re the real tough cookie with a long history
Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
Before I put another notch in my lipstick case
You better make sure you put me in my place
Hit me with your best shot
C’mon, hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
Hit me with your best shot
Why don’t you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away