In the Heat of the Night

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

Songfacts®:

  • The title track to Benatar's major-label release, this song with written by Mike Chapman, who wrote and produced songs for Suzi Quatro and Sweet before getting Pat Benatar's career off the ground. Chapman's biggest contribution to Benatar was pairing her with Neil Giraldo, who just a few years later became her husband and full time producer.
  • In the Pat Benatar Anthology, she explains: "The producer Mike Chapman, used to coach me on how to get the feel of that song. He used to sit there and sing it melodramatically in my face. It was great. You never knew what was going to happen on that first record because it was the first time we really all played together, and nobody really knew what they could do."
    Giraldo added: "That eerie kind of singing guitar effect was a result of just messing around with Chapman and having a good time. It was just plucking through a chorus-echo effect."

Comments: 1

  • Shelley Kaloci from Akron, OhioI think this is the best Neil Giraldo guitar solo ever!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

Sam Phillips

Sam PhillipsSongwriter Interviews

Collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Leslie Phillips changed her name and left her Christian label behind - Robert Plant, who recorded one of her songs on Raising Sand, is a fan.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.