Heartbreaker (Pat Benatar song)

"Heartbreaker" is a song by American singer Pat Benatar from her debut studio album In the Heat of the Night (1979). Written and composed by Geoff Gill and Cliff Wade, the song had first been recorded by English singer Jenny Darren on her 1978 album Queen of Fools, and Benatar adjusted the original lyrics, as such references as "A to Zed" and "moonraker" would have likely confused American listeners.

"Heartbreaker"
U.S. vinyl single picture sleeve
Single by Pat Benatar
from the album In the Heat of the Night
B-side	"My Clone Sleeps Alone"
Released	October 26, 1979
Recorded	1979
Studio	MCA Whitney Studios (Glendale, California)
Genre	Hard rock[1] arena rock[2]
Length	3:29
Label	Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)	Geoff Gill Cliff Wade
Producer(s)	Mike Chapman Peter Coleman
Pat Benatar singles chronology
"If You Think You Know How to Love Me" (1979) "Heartbreaker" (1979) "We Live for Love" (1980)

"Heartbreaker" was the second single released off In the Heat of the Night after the first, "If You Think You Know How to Love Me", failed to reach the US Billboard Hot 100. A sleeper hit, "Heartbreaker" proved to be Benatar's breakthrough single, reaching number 23 on the Hot 100 while spending four and a half months on the chart, the fourth longest of all of her singles.^[3] It was more popular on album-oriented rock stations as it peaked at number 13 on Tunecasters Rock Tracks chart in March 1980.^[4] The song reached number 16 in Canada, number 14 in New Zealand, and number 95 in Australia.

VH1 ranked the song the 72nd best hard rock song of all time.

Use in other media

The song is featured as downloadable content for the music video game series Rock Band,^[5] and is a playable song in the game Guitar Hero World Tour. The song is also a playable song in the game Karaoke Revolution: Presents American Idol as well as downloadable content for its sequel, American Idol Encore. It is featured as a Jam Track in Fortnite Festival, a rhythm game spin-off of Fortnite Battle Royale.

The tenth season premiere of Supernatural featured "Heartbreaker" in the recap montage of the previous season. It was also featured during a chase/shootout scene in the 2021 film Nobody. The song was performed by Benatar and her band in the Charmed episode "Lucky Charmed."

Former American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta regularly covered the song as part of her set on the Glam Nation Tour.^[6]

A cover of the song by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton featuring Benatar and American musician Neil Giraldo was released with Parton's album Rockstar.^[7]

Track listing

7"^[8]

• A. "Heartbreaker" – 3:26
• B. "My Clone Sleeps Alone" – 3:27

7" (Netherlands and Germany)^[9][10]

• A. "Heartbreaker" – 3:26
• B. "So Sincere" – 3:28

12" Promo (Japan)^[11]

• A. "Heartbreaker" – 3:26
• B. "We Live for Love" – 3:53

2009 Digital single^[12]

1. "Heartbreaker" – 3:28
2. "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" – 2:52

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1979–1980) Peak position Australia Kent Music Report[13] 95 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[14] 18 New Zealand (RIANZ)[15] 14 US Billboard Hot 100[16] 23 U.S. Cash Box Top 100[17] 19

Year-end charts Chart (1980) Rank U.S. Billboard Hot 100[18] 83