ROCK MOMENT - Pat Benatar 'Love Is A Battlefield'

37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Arrivals — Source: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 05: Neil Giraldo and Pat Benatar attend the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

Pat Benatar’s 1983 hit ‘Love Is a Battlefield’ stands as one of the most important milestones in her career and in the evolution of MTV-era rock. Written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman, the track was originally conceived as a ballad. When Benatar and her guitarist-husband Neil Giraldo got hold of it, they reimagined the song with a driving beat, sharp guitar riffs, and Benatar’s trademark soaring vocal delivery. The result was a unique fusion of rock, pop, and dance that pushed her music into new territory.

Released as a single from the Live from Earth album, the song quickly gained traction, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in several countries, including Australia and the Netherlands. Its success also earned Benatar her fourth straight Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, solidifying her reputation as one of the era’s dominant voices.

The music video, directed by Bob Giraldi, amplified the song’s message and became a cultural touchstone. Shot as a short film, it told the story of a young woman (played by Benatar) running away from an oppressive home life, only to confront another form of exploitation in a seedy nightclub. The iconic dance sequence—where Benatar leads a group of women in defiance against their abuser—was one of the earliest examples of choreography used to tell a dramatic story in a rock video. This not only influenced future music videos but also helped redefine how women could be portrayed in popular music.

‘Love Is a Battlefield’ became more than just a hit single; it was an anthem of resilience and independence at a time when women in rock were still battling stereotypes. Benatar’s tough yet vulnerable persona resonated with young fans, especially women who saw her as a role model. The video’s storyline, combined with the emotional punch of the lyrics, gave the song lasting cultural weight.

Today, ‘Love Is a Battlefield’ continues to be one of Pat Benatar’s signature songs, frequently performed live and featured in films, television, and commercials. More than four decades later, it remains both a quintessential 1980s anthem and a landmark in the blending of rock music with visual storytelling.