Description
Pat Benatar – Crimes Of Passion – Vinyl Record
Pat Benatar’s Crimes of Passion, released on August 5, 1980, is the album that catapulted her from rising rocker to full-blown icon, solidifying her status as one of the most electrifying and influential female artists in rock history. A follow-up to her promising debut In the Heat of the Night, this sophomore album sharpened every element—stronger songwriting, tighter production, and a tougher, more defiant vocal presence—and became both a critical and commercial breakthrough.
At its core, Crimes of Passion is a masterclass in early ’80s hard rock and power pop, fusing the muscular riffs of arena rock with new wave polish and undeniable radio appeal. Produced by Keith Olsen and backed by her now-permanent collaborator and guitarist Neil Giraldo, the album delivers emotional volatility, musical precision, and rebellious energy in equal measure.
The biggest hit from the album—and arguably Benatar’s most iconic track—is “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” With its staccato guitar riffs and sing-along chorus, the song became her first Top 10 single in the U.S. and a feminist anthem wrapped in stadium rock swagger. But Crimes of Passion is far from a one-hit record. Tracks like “Treat Me Right” and “Hell Is for Children” cement the album’s bold emotional and social territory. The latter, a dramatic, blistering condemnation of child abuse, showed Benatar was more than just a rock singer—she had something urgent to say.
Elsewhere, the album offers a mix of tender vulnerability and raw power. “You Better Run,” a cover of the Young Rascals’ tune, was chosen as the second video ever aired on MTV, just behind The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star”—marking Benatar as a pioneer of the visual rock era. “I’m Gonna Follow You” and “Never Wanna Leave You” reveal a more melodic, haunting dimension of her vocal range, while “Little Paradise” and “Out-A-Touch” bring rock ‘n’ roll muscle and rhythmic punch.
The album explores themes of resistance, independence, love, betrayal, and emotional endurance—not unlike the title suggests, these are the passions that drive people to the edge. Benatar channels these sentiments through powerhouse vocal performances, making every song feel like a personal confrontation or rallying cry.
Crimes of Passion was a commercial juggernaut, selling over 4 million copies in the U.S. alone and winning Benatar her first Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1981. It topped out at #2 on the Billboard 200, blocked only by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy, which surged posthumously following Lennon’s death.
The album was praised for its blend of accessibility and attitude. It struck a perfect balance between radio-ready hooks and genuine rock intensity—something that many of her contemporaries struggled to achieve. Over time, it has become widely recognized not just as Benatar’s best-selling album, but as a landmark moment in rock history, particularly for women in the genre.
Crimes of Passion is the sound of a powerful voice finding its full command, backed by searing guitar work and sharp production. It remains a cornerstone of ’80s rock and a blueprint for how female rock artists could dominate charts, stages, and cultural conversations without compromise.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Treat Me Right
You Better Run
Never Wanna Leave You
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Hell Is For Children
Little Paradise
I’m Gonna Follow You
Wuthering Heights
Prisoner Of Love
Out-A-Touch
