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Why Pat Benatar Removed ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’ from Her Setlist

Pat Benatar kicked off her latest tour on June 23, and fans have noticed the singer hasn’t included “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” — one of her biggest hits…

Pat Benatar
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Pat Benatar kicked off her latest tour on June 23, and fans have noticed the singer hasn't included "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" -- one of her biggest hits -- on her setlist. There's a reason for that.

Benatar told USA Today, "We have what we call the 'holy 14,' songs that if we don’t play them, you’ll give us (a hard time). And we’re not doing 'Hit Me With Your Best Shot' and fans are having a heart attack and I’m like, I’m sorry, in deference to the victims of the families of these mass shootings, I’m not singing it. I tell them, if you want to hear the song, go home and listen to it. (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. I’m not going to go on stage and soapbox – I go to my legislators – but that’s my small contribution to protesting. I’m not going to sing it. Tough."

USA Today follows up by asking how major events, from mass shootings to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, impact songs she recorded decades prior. Benatar replied, "Well, 'Invincible' is really important. I’m worried, like all of us, about fundamental autonomy rights. This is a slippery slope. It’s not about abortion for me. I’m concerned that people are not paying attention to what this actually means."

Benatar and husband/writing partner Neil Giraldo are on tour throughout Summer 2022 with a complete list of tour dates available at BenatarGiraldo.com. This Fall will be an eventful one for the longtime married couple, too; Benatar and Giraldo will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November along with fellow artists Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie and Carly Simon.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo got married on February 20, 1982. They remain one of the longest-lasting marriages in classic rock. They're also among the most successful.

Benatar and Giraldo were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 induction class. Interestingly, Benatar was asked in a 2021 interview with CBS Sunday Morning whether it bothered her to not be in the Rock Hall. She said then that it didn't and noted, "Listen, when you win things, it's really fun. But the point is, does this validate, not validate what we've done? No."

Together, they've sold over 35 million albums worldwide. Benatar has also won countless honors, including four Grammy Awards. The husband and wife pairing even collaborated on a stage musical called Invincible -- The Musical. As previously reported, Invincible -- The Musical is a new reworking of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The production features versions of many of the songs Benatar and Giraldo have written and performed together for over 40 years.

In a September 2013 interview with the Arizona Republic, Benatar fondly looked back on meeting Giraldo. She said the first song they recorded together was the hit "Heartbreaker." Benatar said she and Giraldo clicked instantly. Even though there was a definite attraction from the beginning, Benatar was still married, and Giraldo was also in a relationship.

" ... We made [1979's 'In the Heat of the Night'] not romantically involved, which was a challenge," said Benatar. "Which is what made it so much fun, and I think you can hear all that on that record."

Needless to say, Benatar and Giraldo have more than defied the odds against them. However, Benatar and Giraldo are far from the only music marriage that has gone the distance. In honor of Benatar and Giraldo's anniversary, here are some of classic rock's other longest-lasting marriages.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo (Married in February 1982)

GettyImages-492559944.jpgRick Diamond/Getty Images

In her autobiography, Pat said when she saw Neil for the first time, she thought to herself, “Girl, you have just seen the father of your children.” Spoiler: She was right. Pat and Neil have two children, Haley and Hana. Additionally, Pat and Neil have three grandchildren.


Keith Richards and Patti Hansen (Married in December 1983)

GettyImages-1053095966.jpgTheo Wargo/Getty Images

Keith and Patti met in 1979. They wed on the guitarist 40th birthday. What a gift that has lasted for decades! Keith and Patti have two daughters: Theodora and Alexandra.


Bono and Ali Hewson (Married in August 1982)

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Bono and Ali were high-school sweethearts back at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin. Both were just 22 years old when they married. They have four children: Jordan, Eve, Elijah and John. Eve Hewson has gone on to have a successful acting career. Meanwhile, Elijah Hewson fronts the rock band Inhaler.


Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach (Married in April 1981)

GettyImages-1054355868.jpgDavid Livingston/Getty Images

Ringo and Barbara met on the set of the film ‘Caveman.’ The film may have tanked, but the couple’s love still lives on. Fun Fact: Barbara's sister, Marjorie, is married to Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh. This means Starr and Walsh are brothers-in-law.


Dee and Suzette Snider (Married in October 1981)

GettyImages-605951710.jpgEthan Miller/Getty Images

There was a bit of a problem when Dee first met Suzette. He was 21; she was 15. They met in a club, which, due to her age, she snuck into. Dee talked to her parents, and after A LOT of convincing, they were eventually allowed to date.


Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne (Married in July 1982)

GettyImages-868259538.jpgJohn Phillips/Getty Images

Sharon worked for her father, Don Arden, who managed Black Sabbath. When Ozzy was fired from Sabbath, Sharon took the reins and began managing his solo career. The rest is history. To this day, Sharon still manages Ozzy.


Alice Cooper and Sheryl Goddard (Married in March 1976)

GettyImages-1096885292.jpgJon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Alice and Sheryl met while she was a dancer in his over-the-top stage shows in 1975. Being together this long among everyday-folks is incredible, but lasting that long in the rock and roll world? Unbelievable! Alice and Sheryl have three children: Sonora, Calico and Dashiell.

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights