Pat Benatar - In The Heat of The Night (1979)
In 1979, I was barely sixteen and while watching a Wednesday afternoon rock show, I came across an excerpt from the debut album of Patricia Mae Andrzejewski, better known, and fortunately for us, as Pat Benatar. Pat kept the name of her first husband, Dennis Benatar. The excerpt is called Heartbreaker and I completely love the hard rock tone of this song, the four-octave voice of the American and of course her pretty little face.
I rush to my favorite record store at the time (you could listen to the records in an adapted room) and of course I buy the vinyl. And since that day, and forever, Pat Benatar is my favorite singer.
Pat was spotted in 1977 in the New York cabaret Catch a Rising Star during an amateur contest where she caused a sensation, dressed in a vampire costume for Halloween. She was immediately signed by the Chrysalis label and released this magnificent In The Heat of The Night in 1979. The excellent and cunning producer and composer Mike Chapman (Blondie, The Knack, The Sweet, Suzi Quatro) advised her well and produced four of ten tracks from the album. It was he who proposed to Pat to integrate guitarist Neil Giraldo into his group, who at the time was playing with the legendary Rick Derringer. The rest is history since Pat will then marry Neil.
Mike Chapman suggests to Pat Benatar to record the nervous and thunderous Heartbreaker. And he was right since it is the title that will make her known. Dynamic entry on drums and sky-ripping guitars. Unstoppable, perfect introduction to In The Heat of The Night. The title has not aged at all, even forty-three years later. The title is however produced by Peter Coleman, who will produce six in total.
Video of Heartbreaker live in 1979
I Need A Lover is a sublime pop song written by John Cougar Mellencamp who was at the start of his career at the time. I like the original version of John and Pat does more than well here. The guitars are numerous and the solo proposed by Neil Giraldo is very rock. To be listened to very loudly during your car rides. If You Think How You Love Me is much more pop. It's a title borrowed from Smokie, a band that has not gone down in history. The track is written by the prolific duo Chapman/Chinn. Pat's voice is softer and more sensual. But still beautiful.
Video of I Need A Lover live in 2001
In The Heat of The Night is also a Smokie track still written by the Chapman/Chinn duo. Yes it's true, Smokie's version is really successful and very nice (check it out on youtube) but Pat Benatar's version is much sexier and more sensual and that's normal. The bass is hypnotic and the guitar during the verse makes me think of Russ Ballard's mythical In The Night. I worship this track which is my favorite from the album and in my top 5 in the American discography. Superb.
My Clone Sleeps Alone is written by Pat and Roger Capps who play bass on the album. It starts like a ballad on the piano then pop guitars take over. It's a nice track but not the best on the record. We change sides (if you have the vinyl) and we come across We Live For Love. A title where Pat takes on the intonations of Debbie Harry from Blondie, another diva of the time. Yet the piece is written by Neil Giraldo but it suits perfectly to the limitless voice of Miss Benatar. It sounds very New Wave, especially on the choirs and the guitars.
Video of We Live For Love live in 1982
Rated X is a song by Neil Gilder, slightly pop but not unforgettable, far from it. On the other hand, Don't Let It Show is a beautiful ballad with magnificent arpeggios and clear guitar. It's an Alan Parsons song. Pat's voice will give you chills as it is crystal clear. No You Don't, written by Chapman/Chinn was originally sung by Sweet. It's hard-hitting rock, with nervous guitars and incisive rhythms.
Video of In The Heat Of The Night live in 1982
So Sincere is written by Pat and his friend and bassist Roger Capps. It's pop, fun, nervous, fast and puts an end to Pat Benatar's first album. And with In The Heat of The Night begins a great story between Pat and me. I still listen to her songs today and often replay Heartbreaker when the night gets too dark. Pat Benatar will remain for me forever and ever the greatest rock singer in history.
morgan on Portobello Rock Club, Caen april 26 2023
Thank you, Claude!! It lives on as a cherished evening for me <3 til next time, ...
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Crafton on The Bookends
Wonderful article and so well written, we thank you dearly!
halka on Tearing Down The Walls (2014)
Awesome review of an awesome album. Thanks! :-)
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