Crimes of Passion
Pat Benatar · 1980
37 min · 10 tracks · hard rock
A powerful blend of hard rock anthems and emotive ballads marked by Benatar's commanding vocals and fiery energy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Treat Me Right Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Hit Me With Your Best Shot — This track embodies the fierce spirit of empowerment and defiance that characterizes much of Benatar's work, becoming her signature song.
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Hell Is for Children — The poignant lyrics tackle serious issues such as child abuse, showcasing Benatar's ability to blend rock with social commentary.
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You Better Run — 'You Better Run' stands out with its assertive lyrics and driving rhythms, highlighting her powerful vocal delivery and energetic performance style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production, with a balance of anthemic tracks and emotional depth.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks are high-energy rock anthems, establishing a fast pace before the album introduces more emotive ballads.
- Benatar's vocal delivery varies from powerful belting in the choruses to softer, more intimate moments in the verses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- empowering anthems for confidence
- steady pacing for focused energy
- for sing-along moments
- dynamic vocals that inspire action
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, soundscapes
- seek lengthy, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Benatar's status with major hits and wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in January 1980, Crimes of Passion was Pat Benatar's second studio album, following her breakthrough debut In the Heat of the Night. At this point in her career, she was rapidly gaining recognition in the rock genre, establishing herself as a leading female artist in a predominantly male industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Heart· Joan Jett & the Blackhearts· Lita Ford
Tracklist
- 1 Treat Me Right Start here 3:25
- 2 You Better Run 3:08
- 3 Never Wanna Leave You 3:10
- 4 Hit Me With Your Best Shot 2:50
- 5 Hell Is for Children 4:53
- 6 Little Paradise 3:30
- 7 I’m Gonna Follow You 4:29
- 8 Wuthering Heights 4:29
- 9 Prisoner of Love 3:08
- 10 Out-A-Touch 4:23
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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