Having just reviewed The Knack’s break-through 1979 LP ‘Get The Knack’, we think it’s about time to look at another debut from that year: Pat Benatar’s wonderful ‘In The Heat Of The Night’.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Pat Benatar
ALBUM: In The Heat Of The Night
LABEL: Chrysalis
SERIAL: CHR 1236
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Reissue details
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Pat Benatar – lead and backing vocals * Neil Giraldo – lead guitars, keyboards, slide guitar, backing vocals * Glen Hamilton – drums * Scott St. Clair Sheets – rhythm guitars * Roger Capps – bass, backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Heartbreaker * 02 I Need A Lover * 03 If You Think You Know How To Love Me * 04 In The Heat Of The Night * 05 My Clone Sleeps Alone * 06 We Live For Love * 07 Rated X * 08 Don’t Let It Show * 09 No You Don’t * 10 So Sincere
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Having just reviewed The Knack‘s break-through 1979 LP ‘Get The Knack’, we think it’s about time to look at another debut from that year: Pat Benatar’s wonderful ‘In The Heat Of The Night’.
As we know, Benatar became one of the leading female pop/rock performers of the 80’s, nestled easily among the likes of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. Prior to signing with Chrysalis, Pat had been involved with theatre, and various talent clubs from Virginia to New York.
After a string of impressive performances in clubs through New York City, the label stepped up, and wth a handful of co-writes on the debut album (which we’ll go through), ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ was released in August of 1979, and soon moved up the charts, establishing Benatar as a star on the rise.
The Songs
Coupled with a big booming voice, a smart production team of Mike Chapman (The Knack, Blondie, The Sweet) and Peter Coleman, plus a selection of well chosen songs, the album became the next big thing during the sweep of 1979 into 1980.
Looking back now, it’s amazing to see how many well remembered songs are sourced from this album. Obvious stand-outs include the rousing ‘Heartbreaker’, the John Cougar cover ‘I Need A Lover’, ‘If You Think You Know How To Love Me’ and ‘We Live For Love’.
Some other interesting inclusions were the Alan Parsons Project cover ‘Don’t Let It Show’ (from ‘I Robot’), the Sweet cover ‘No You Don’t’ plus a Nick Gilder tune ‘Rated X’.
In Summary
As expected, the album went Platinum in 1980, and later that year, She would return with her biggest selling album ‘Crimes Of Passion’ which included another three hit singles: ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, ‘Treat Me Right’ and ‘You Better Run’. Obviously, Chrysalis were onto a good thing here, and the hits kept coming all through the 80’s decade.
Pat Benatar on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
