Written by Eddie Schwartz, the track was released by Benatar in 1980, going on to sell over one million copies. The track was also certified gold by the RIAA. It was also Benatar's first track to break into the US Top 10.
However, Benatar has revealed in a recent interview that despite the track's title being "tongue in cheek", a line in the sand needs to be drawn.
“We’re not doing ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ and fans are having a heart attack and I’m like, I’m sorry, in deference to the victims of the families of these mass shootings, I’m not singing it. I tell them, if you want to hear the song, go home and listen to it", the 69 year old singer told USA Today.
She added, “I can’t say those words out loud with a smile on my face, I just can’t,” she said. I’m not going to go on stage and soap box – I go to my legislators – but that’s my small contribution to protesting. I’m not going to sing it. Tough".
'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' has been regularly used at key sports events in the US.
The track has also been used in episode 6 of series 4 of Glee in a mashup with Blondie's 'One Way Or Another'.
Pat Benatar has also performed the track for the 1982 film 'Spring Fever', while 2012's 'Rock Of Ages' used it for a dance scene involving Catherine Zeta-Jones.
