80s, Baby! with Seersha

No promises, no demands: Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar

• Seersha

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Release Date: October 16, 2024
Name of podcast: 80s, Baby! with Seersha  
Episode title and number: No promises, no demands: Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar, Season 1, Episode 4

Episode Summary: In this episode of "80s, Baby!," host Seersha dives into Pat Benatar’s iconic 1983 anthem "Love is a Battlefield." The episode explores the song’s origin story, highlighting the spontaneous collaboration between songwriters Holly Knight and Mike Chapman. Seersha also recounts the challenges and creative differences that arose during production, ultimately leading to the song’s iconic sound. She gives insight into the groundbreaking music video, its lasting impact on music video storytelling, and its message of female empowerment.

Wrapping up, Seersha offers takeaways for creatives, emphasizing the importance of strong collaborative relationships and being open to creative evolution. Throughout, she weaves in her personal journey, connecting it to the song's themes of resilience and empowerment.

Chapter Markers:
Intro - 0:00
Exposition - 0:56
"Love is a Battlefield" Deep Dive - 3:46
Reflection - 9:26
Final Thoughts - 12:56
Credits - 14:17

Show Notes:
Check out the music video for Love is a Battlefield: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGVZOLV9SPo
Listen to Seersha's latest single, Can't Stop Time: https://linktr.ee/seershamusic?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#414805114
Sign up for email updates directly from the studio desk of Seersha, PLUS get two exclusive, iconic cover songs from 80s bands, reimagined in a stripped-down style just for you: https://seersha.ck.page/1576e594fb

Want to get in touch? DM @seershamusic on social media, or find Seersha on the web at www.seershamusic.com.

I’m an 80s baby through and through, deeply in love with the decade that defined pop culture like no other. It wasn't always clear how this passion would shape my journey, but my love for both 80s-inspired music and jams straight from the era has led me on a wild journey from depressed corporate girly to embodying the essence of 80s pop-rock on stages across the world with Guardians of the Jukebox.

So whether you're an 80s aficionado, a fellow artist drawing inspiration from this colorful decade, or someone curious about my transformation from mundane 9-to-5 to musician living a retro-tinged dream, you've found your crew. Let’s be kind, rewind, relive, and re-love the 80s together.

Welcome to “80s, Baby!” I’m your host, Seersha.

On our last regularly scheduled episode, we took a deep dive into Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time, and I can’t wait to share today’s episode, which is all about one of the greatest 80s anthems: Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar. When this episode drops, I’ll actually be on a special girl’s trip to Korea with my mom and sister. It feels like the perfect time to reflect on the strength of women in my life, just like Pat embodies strength in hers—both as a woman in rock and as someone who shattered expectations in the music industry.

Pat Benatar wasn’t just any rock singer; she was classically trained in the bel canto style, which gives her voice that rich, operatic quality and power that sets her apart. Knowing that Pat studied bel canto actually inspired me to take voice lessons in the bel canto style nearly two years ago, so I have developed a new and unique appreciation for that method. Learning how to sing with that kind of classical technique has massively expanded my range and control, and when I listen to Pat’s voice in this song, I get a sense for that foundational training she had.

I also get a lot of comparisons to Pat—both in terms of vocals and fashion—and honestly, it’s the highest compliment. She had this fierce, edgy style that pushed boundaries but always felt authentic to who she was. So, while I’m soaking up some quality time with my mom and sister, I’m excited for us to dig into the story behind Love is a Battlefield today—a track that not only defined Pat Benatar's career but also paved the way for the bold, dynamic female artists who came after her.

Love is a Battlefield was released in 1983 and became one of Pat Benatar’s most recognizable songs. It's an anthem that resonates on so many levels—not just about romantic love, but about struggle, resilience, and personal power. Let’s break down how this song came to be.

"Love is a Battlefield" isn’t just one of Pat Benatar’s defining hits; it’s a song that showcases the collaborative power of two key songwriters: Holly Knight and Mike Chapman. Both of these writers had an established track record of hits, and Holly happens to be one of my hands-down favorite writers of the decade, but what makes the story behind this song particularly fascinating is how it came together in such a spontaneous way.

Let’s rewind to how it all started. Holly Knight happened to be sitting in Mike Chapman’s office when Pat Benatar called him, asking for a song for her new album. Pat wanted something that could be a chart-topping hit, and Mike, in true rock-and-roll fashion, immediately responded with, “Well, your timing is perfect. I’m sitting here with one of my writers, Holly Knight–we’ll focus on writing you a hit.”

At this point, Mike Chapman was already deeply connected to Benatar’s career. He had produced three tracks on her debut album and was the one who introduced her to her future husband and guitarist, Neil Giraldo. In fact, Neil and Pat’s love story is a special chapter in rock history. They met through their shared work in music, fell in love, and got married in 1982, forming not just a family but an inseparable musical partnership that has lasted over 40 years. They still tour, write, and create music together today, a rare and enduring example of harmony both in life and on stage.

Ok, back to "Love is a Battlefield." Holly and Mike worked together to write what would become one of Benatar’s most iconic songs. In her memoir, Holly Knight reflects on the excitement when they sent the demo over to Pat and Neil. The demo was a bare-bones version with Mike Chapman singing the lyrics. After sending it, they waited with anticipation for feedback. It didn’t take long—Neil Giraldo was the first to call, and you could hear Pat in the background, both of them ecstatic. Holly describes Pat trying to grab the phone from Neil, that’s how much they loved the song. The excitement was palpable, and they knew they had something special on their hands.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The original version of the song had a more midtempo, eighth-note feel—something very different from the version that eventually made it to the airwaves. When Holly and Mike heard the final version Neil had produced with a more upbeat feel, they weren’t initially pleased. Holly recalls thinking, “What the bleep did they do to our song?” It’s funny now, considering how iconic the song became, but it speaks to the natural push-and-pull that often occurs in the creative process. Interestingly, despite the changes, Neil kept one unique production detail from the demo: a few notes that Mike had whistled, which can be heard toward the end of the song.

Let’s talk about the groundbreaking music video for "Love is a Battlefield." Directed by Bob Giraldi, fresh off of his success with Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” the video was nothing short of revolutionary. It was the very first music video to incorporate dialogue at the beginning, setting a new standard for music videos as an art form. Think about how many videos have used that device since then, it’s amazing that this was the very first music video to do so. In fact, the video’s storytelling approach—showing Benatar as a runaway girl standing up for herself in a gritty urban environment—became iconic. The video also featured a choreographed group dance sequence, which was groundbreaking for its time and predated Michael Jackson’s legendary “Thriller” with its famous dance sequence, by several months.

Beyond its commercial success, the video itself sent a message of female empowerment, much like the song’s lyrics, which speak of love as both a battlefield and a place where strength and independence are key. In an era where women in rock were few and far between, and often expected to play second fiddle, both the song and the video placed Benatar front and center.

I’ve shared with you the highlights of the story behind "Love is a Battlefield" – now I’d like to offer two takeaways for us as creatives that stood out to me from our deep dive.

The first takeaway centers around building your collaborative team. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s long standing relationship with Mike Chapman highlights the importance of finding and nurturing collaborative partnerships. They had previously worked with Chapman on tracks from Pat's first album, building a rapport that allowed for trust and creative freedom. This familiarity meant that when Pat needed a hit, Chapman was the first person that she and Neil called.

The chemistry established through previous collaborations creates a fertile ground for creativity. In your own artistic journey, consider the value of forming a collaborative team where members have a history together. Look for individuals who share your artistic vision but bring different strengths to the table—whether it's songwriting, instrumentation, production, or marketing.

Bringing Holly Knight into the fold also reminds us of the importance of expanding our collaborative networks. Chapman recognized Knight’s talent and brought her into the creative fold. This decision proved pivotal, as her skills and songwriting chemistry with Chapman contributed significantly to the song’s success. As artists, don’t hesitate to reach out to new voices who can complement your work. I want to emphasize that she was brought in by Chapman, who knew her previously, so Neil and Pat could feel at ease knowing that Chapman could vouch for Holly, both in terms of her skills and her integrity. Asking your friends and colleagues for their trusted recommendations of who to work with can be a great way to find vetted talent as you build your team.

The second takeaway focuses on the necessity of embracing change throughout the creative process. The evolution of the song—from its initial demo to its final production—demonstrates how flexibility can lead to remarkable outcomes. When Holly Knight and Mike Chapman sent their demo to Pat and Neil, it had a midtempo feel. However, the upbeat version Neil produced surprised Holly and Mike. Their initial shock highlighted how creative interpretations can diverge from original visions. Instead of resisting this change, they ultimately embraced it, allowing the song to flourish in a new direction. And I’m sure the fact that the song topped the charts softened the blow to their creative egos lol. Let’s take a moment to reflect together: how can we increase our creative flexibility and remain open to new interpretations of our work? What might be holding us back from being the kinds of collaborators that we want to work with?

Alright, 80s dreamers, we've covered a lot of ground today. This song’s journey from conception to chart-topping hit offers valuable lessons for all of us in the creative field. It reminds us of the importance of building strong, trusted collaborative networks and remaining open to change throughout the creative process. Pat and Neil's enduring partnership, both in music and in life, serves as an inspiring example of how personal and professional synergy can lead to lasting success.

In many ways, "Love is a Battlefield" encapsulates the spirit of the 80s – bold, innovative, and unafraid to push boundaries. It's a reminder of why this decade continues to captivate and inspire us, fueling the passion that drives artists like myself to keep its legacy alive.

Remember, on the battlefield of love and creativity, your passion and authenticity are your most powerful weapons. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep creating, and let the 80s be your guide. This is your host, Seersha, signing off. Shine bright and love on your friends!

And that's a wrap on episode four of our musical journey through the 80s! I hope you feel inspired, moved, and maybe even a little nostalgic after diving deep into the story behind Pat Benatar’s Love is a Battlefield.

Be sure to tune in next time as we uncover the secrets behind another beloved 80s anthem.

And of course, a big thank you to our production team for making this all possible:

Written and Produced by: Seersha 

Theme Music by: Seersha and Richard James Smith

For more information, or to suggest a song you'd love us to explore, DM me on social media @seershamusic or find me online at www.seershamusic.com.