One of the Most Defiant 1980s Rock Anthems Is No Longer Performed Live
Singer Pat Benatar captured pure defiance with her 1980 rock song "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," and '80s fans could not get enough of the unstoppable rally cry. In its era, the rock star's signature hit became unavoidable on radio stations and an early MTV staple. That's why Benatar's more recent decision not to perform the classic hit live and shelve it for good was all more surprising for longtime fans.
"Hit Me with Your Best Shot" kicks off with the instantly recognizable choppy, raucous electric guitar opening. Then comes Benatar's gritty and powerful vocals, turning heartbreak into empowerment. The lyrics dare a "tough cookie" heartbreaker (we all know one!) to do their worst and "hit me with your best shot!" Right behind the dare follows the defiant vow to, "get right back on my feet again!" The highly energetic song exudes confidence, toughness, and ultimately a fiery resilience to heartbreak.
In September 1980, Benatar's rock favorite was officially released as the second single on her second studio album, Crimes of Passion, which dropped the August prior. By October, "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, and by December, it peaked at No. 9, holding steady on the charts for an incredible 24 weeks. The passionate single sold well over a million copies in the U.S.
Pat Benatar became one of rock's toughest voices, earning early female rock icon status and helping pave the way for the future careers of Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Pink, and Avril Lavigne. Her unmistakable sound, fierce style, and unapologetic edge stood in a very male-dominated industry where she marked a permanent place for rebellious, no-nonsense female voices.
The lasting impact of "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" endures today, and listeners will find it playing widely on classic-rock radio. It's a popular pick for gutsy women in karaoke bars and a crowd-singalong favorite at sports events. On Ranker, the powerful anthem currently ranks No. 3 in the "The Best Bouquet Toss Songs" for weddings. And to date, the power pop song has over 376.5 million streams on Spotify.
Despite the beloved song's long-lasting popularity, fans did eventually notice something surprising. Benatar stopped performing her biggest anthem live in concert. In a 2022 interview with USA Today, Benatar said, "We're not doing 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' and fans are having a heart attack."
However, the rocker has a meaningful reason for tabling the classic hit. "In deference to the victims of the families of these mass shootings, I'm not singing it," explained Benatar. "[The title] is tongue-in-cheek, but you have to draw the line. I can't say those words out loud with a smile on my face, I just can't."
At the same time, she's still urging fans to go enjoy the track as much as they want. In a quieter act of defiance, Benatar said, "I tell them, if you want to hear the song, go home and listen to it."
Related: 1984 Power Anthem Became One of the Most Adrenaline-Fueled Songs of the '80s
Closing in on five decades later, few hits from the 1980s captured pure defiance quite like "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." Even without new live performances, the powerhouse rock favorite still occupies a massive place in rock nostalgia and remains one of the defining anthems of the '80s.
Watch the official music video for "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar:
Check out another upbeat performance of the song "Hit Me With Your Best Shot":
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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 3:19 PM.