Heartbreaker

Album: In the Heat of the Night (1979)
Charted: 23
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Heartbreaker" was written by the songwriters Geoff Gill and Clint Wade. It was Pat Benatar's breakout hit, propelling her debut album to platinum level. This was the third single released for her debut album. The first two, "I Need a Lover" and "If You Think You Know How to Love Me," didn't take off, but "Heartbreaker" was an instant hit.
  • Since the song's writers, Geoff Gill and Clint Wade, were British, the lyrics of the song were originally full of UK English expressions and colloquialisms that would be foreign to the American ear. So the publisher gave it to Benatar to clear up; Benatar rewrote it. She has stated that she loved it from the first time she saw it, and it remains one of her favorites.
    Note that many of Benatar's most famous songs, including the empowerment anthem "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," were written by men.
  • Though everyone thinks of Pat Benatar as a solo act, she in fact has a regular backing band that contributes just as much to the work as she does. Most notably her husband Neil Giraldo, who writes some of her songs, and has always been her lead guitarist. Other names to know in her band include drummer Myron Grombacher, keyboardist Charlie Giordano, and bassist Mick Mahan. On this song, the line-up was Neil Giraldo on guitar and keyboard, Scott St. Clair Sheets on rhythm guitar, Roger Capps on bass, and Glen Alexander Hamilton on drums.
  • The popularity of "Heartbreaker" has led it to be included in many music games, including Rock Band, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and Karaoke Revolution: Presents American Idol.

Comments: 4

  • Rich from San Francisco Bay Area, California, UsaYou forgot the BEST Heartbreaker of all time: written and performed by Led Zeppelin!
  • Shane from NycHeartbreaker was originally recorded by Jenny Darren of the UK. It is a much slower version.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 1st 1980, Pat Benatar performed "Heartbreaker" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Three months earlier on December 16th, 1979 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #76; and on March 9th it peaked at #23 (for 1 week) and spent 18 weeks on the Top 100...
    Was track one on her debut studio album, 'In the Heat of the Night', and the album reached #12 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart...
    One other track from the album also made the Top 100, "We Live For Love", it peaked at #27 and was composed by her future husband, Neil Giraldo...
    Ms. Benatar, born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski, celebrated her 61st birthday three weeks ago on January 10th (2014).
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyThis is just one of five different songs that have charted with the title of "Heartbreaker"; the others are by Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton, Grand Funk Railroad, & Mariah Carey...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.