Album Information Section

Album Title: Ultimate Collection

Artist: Pat Benatar

Original Release Date: June 24, 2008

Label: Capitol Records

Genres: Rock, Pop Rock, New Wave

Track Listing:

• 1. Heartbreaker (3:27)
• 2. I Need a Lover (3:28)
• 3. In the Heat of the Night (5:22)
• 4. We Live for Love (3:34)
• 5. Treat Me Right (3:13)
• 6. You Better Run (3:04)
• 7. Never Wanna Leave You (3:10)
• 8. Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2:50)
• 9. Hell Is for Children (4:50)
• 10. Promises in the Dark (4:12)
• 11. Fire and Ice (3:19)
• 12. Just Like Me (3:30)
• 13. It’s a Tuff Life (3:17)
• 14. Precious Time (6:02)
• 15. Shadows of the Night (3:42)
• 16. Looking for a Stranger (3:25)
• 17. Anxiety (Get Nervous) (3:41)
• 18. Little Too Late (3:25)
• 19. The Victim (4:42)
• 20. Lipstick Lies (3:32)
• 21. Love Is a Battlefield (4:10)
• 22. Diamond Field (3:21)
• 23. We Belong (3:41)
• 24. Ooh Ooh Song (4:08)
• 25. Outlaw Blues (3:46)
• 26. Painted Desert (5:24)
• 27. Invincible (vocal edit) (4:08)
• 28. Sex as a Weapon (4:19)
• 29. Le Bel Age (edit) (4:19)
• 30. All Fired Up (single version) (4:11)
• 31. Don’t Walk Away (radio edit) (4:09)
• 32. One Love (Song of the Lion) (edit) (4:31)
• 33. Let’s Stay Together (edit) (3:43)
• 34. Payin’ the Cost to Be Boss (3:13)
• 35. True Love (4:41)
• 36. I Feel Lucky (4:29)
• 37. The Good Life (4:11)
• 38. Everybody Lay Down (edit) (3:57)
• 39. Somebody’s Baby (edit) (3:50)
• 40. Every Time I Fall Back (5:00)

Recording Information

The “Ultimate Collection” was recorded across several studios, with notable sessions taking place at the legendary A&M Studios in Hollywood, California. This collection highlights Pat Benatar’s discography, featuring tracks from her active years in the music industry during the late 1970s and 1980s.

The exact dates of recording for the individual tracks vary, as they span a significant portion of her career. The album was produced by a combination of prominent producers who worked with Benatar throughout her career, including Mike Chapman and Neil Giraldo, who played a crucial role in shaping her sound. Engineers such as John Ryan and Keith Olsen also contributed to the production, utilizing various techniques to enhance her powerful vocals and dynamic arrangements.

Notable recording techniques included the use of multi-track recording, which allowed for complex layering of instruments and harmonies, giving the tracks a rich and polished sound. The combination of rock instrumentation with pop sensibilities became a defining characteristic of Benatar’s music.

Band Context

At the time of the “Ultimate Collection” release, Pat Benatar was regarded as one of the leading female rock artists of her time. Emerging in the late 1970s, she quickly gained recognition for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence. By 2008, Benatar had an impressive catalog of hits, earning her multiple Grammy Awards and a dedicated fan base.

The lineup during the recording of the original tracks featured Pat Benatar on vocals, her husband Neil Giraldo on guitar and production, along with various session musicians who contributed to the rich sound of her albums. Prior to the release of this collection, Benatar had experienced a decline in commercial success during the 1990s but remained an iconic figure in rock music, often cited as an influence by many contemporary artists.

Significant events in her career leading up to this compilation included her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “Women Who Rock” exhibit and numerous reunion tours that reignited her popularity. The “Ultimate Collection” served not only as a celebration of her past achievements but also as a reminder of her lasting impact on the music industry.

Track Commentary

The “Ultimate Collection” features a comprehensive array of 40 tracks, showcasing Pat Benatar’s evolution as an artist. Opening with the high-energy “Heartbreaker,” the album quickly sets the tone for the powerful rock anthems that follow. Tracks like “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “Love Is a Battlefield” are standout singles that have become synonymous with Benatar’s legacy, encapsulating the themes of empowerment and resilience that characterizes much of her work.

Musically, the collection spans various styles, from the new wave influences in “We Belong” to the more rock-oriented “Hell Is for Children.” Each track exhibits Benatar’s ability to blend genres while maintaining her distinctive vocal style. The inclusion of lesser-known tracks such as “Never Wanna Leave You” and “Lipstick Lies” provides depth to the collection, highlighting her versatility.

The critical reception of these tracks has often been overwhelmingly positive, with several singles reaching high positions on the charts and garnering extensive radio play. The legacy of songs like “Promises in the Dark” and “Fire and Ice” continues to resonate, illustrating Benatar’s role as a trailblazer for women in rock music.

Overall, “Ultimate Collection” serves not just as a retrospective of Pat Benatar’s career but as a testament to her enduring influence in the music world, celebrating an artist who has consistently challenged norms and inspired generations of musicians.