Love Is A Battlefield, the hit song by American rock singer Pat Benatar, remains a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today, over 35 years since its release in 1983. The song’s catchy melody, anthemic chorus, and empowering lyrics about standing up for oneself have made it a fan favourite and an enduring staple of rock radio.
Benatar had already enjoyed a string of hits by the time Love Is A Battlefield was released, but the song marked a turning point in her career. It was her first top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the accompanying music video, which featured Benatar as a runaway teenager in search of independence, was an MTV favourite and helped to propel the song to even greater heights.
Love Is A Battlefield was written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight, two of the most prolific songwriters of the era, and produced by Chapman. The song’s infectious hook and driving beat were crafted with an ear toward the dance floor, and the combination of rock and pop sensibilities helped to broaden Benatar’s appeal beyond her core fan base.
The success of Love Is A Battlefield helped to solidify Pat Benatar’s status as one of the most influential and popular female rock artists of the 1980s. Her bold, unapologetic approach to music and her commitment to empowering women through her lyrics and her image paved the way for generations of female artists who followed in her footsteps.
In Studio B at MCA’s Whitney facility in Glendale, California, where a Neve console was installed, the song was recorded. Pat Benatar’s husband and producer, Neil Giraldo, notes that they didn’t rely on much outboard gear during the recording process. Instead, they used the Neve console EQ and a small amount of compression. They used a Pultec minimally and an 1176 compressor for the vocals. They also applied EMT 250 reverb to both the vocals and possibly the guitar.
