She was born in the neighborhood of Greenpoint in Brooklyn, New York City, New York on January 10, 1953 as Patricia Andrzejewski. She graduated from Lindenhurst High on Long Island in 1971. She married her lead guitarist, Neil "Spyder" Geraldo, in 1982, and she has two children, named Haley and Hana.
In 1973, Benatar quit her job as a bank teller to pursue a singing career after being inspired by a Liza Minnelli concert she saw in Richmond. She got a job as a singing waitress at a flapper-esque nightclub named "The Roaring Twenties", and got a gig singing in lounge band Coxon's Army. They garnered enough attention to be the subject of a never-aired PBS special, and the band's bassist, Roger Capps, would go on to be the original bass player for the Pat Benatar band.
This period also yielded Benatar's first solo single – 1974's "Day Gig" – until her eventual major label debut on Chrysalis Records in 1979. The song was released via Trace Records, and was both written and produced by Coxon's Army band leader Phil Coxon.
Benatar's big break came in 1975 at an amateur night at the comedy club "Catch a Rising Star" in New York City. Her rousing rendition of Judy Garland's "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" earned her a call back by club owner Rick Newman, who would later become her manager.
After many years of producing big budget albums, Neil and Pat have continued to produce albums together, even though they have decided to end their association with major labels. They have chosen instead to place the care of their children above industry demands, and make records at home in their own professional quality studio. Each summer when their girls get out of school for vacation, they all pack up, board a tour bus, and set out to play as many shows as they can fit into the summer months. Pat and Neil maintain a close, and much more personal, relationship with their fans, than they were able to do in 80's during the heights of their commercial success.
http://www.benatargiraldo.com
Anxiety
Pat Benatar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get nervous, get nervous
Get nervous, get nervous
Get nervous, get nervous
Get nervous, get nervous
I feel a little shaky, I can't control my nerves
I know you think I'm fakin', but can't you feel the curves?
I swear to you I feel it, it scares me half to death
Anxiety, got me on the run
Anxiety, yeah, I just need someone
Anxiety, can't get nothin' done
Anxiety, spoils all the fun
I'm picking up the telephone, there's no one I can call
I need somebody bad tonight, can't find no sleep at all
I wish I could relax, I just can't stop my mind
I wish I could collapse but my body's not that kind
Anxiety, got me on the run
Anxiety, yeah, I just need someone
Pat Benatar's song "Anxiety" is a powerful and relatable exploration of what it feels like to be overwhelmed by panic and stress. The repetition of "get nervous" throughout the song represents the persistent and unending nature of anxiety. Benatar describes feeling physically shaky and out of control, while also acknowledging that others may not understand the severity of her condition. The line "can't you feel the curves?" suggests that anxiety affects every part of a person, even their physical sensations.
The chorus of the song, which repeats the word "anxiety," serves as a powerful refrain that captures the all-consuming and inescapable nature of the feeling. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who feels trapped and isolated, unable to find relief from their anxiety. The line "I need somebody bad tonight" is especially poignant, as it conveys a sense of desperation and a desire for human connection and comfort.
Overall, "Anxiety" is a powerful song that speaks to the experience of millions of people who struggle with panic and anxiety disorders. Its raw honesty and emotional intensity have made it a favorite among fans of Pat Benatar and anyone who has felt overwhelmed by anxiety.
Line by Line Meaning
Get nervous, get nervous
Repeating this phrase multiple times conveys the idea of being caught in a cyclical pattern of anxiety, where the more you try to fight it, the worse it becomes.
I feel a little shaky, I can't control my nerves
The persona is experiencing physical manifestations of anxiety, such as trembling or shaking, and feels helpless to stop them.
I know you think I'm fakin', but can't you feel the curves?
The persona is aware that others may not understand the severity of their anxiety, and is frustrated that their physical symptoms are often dismissed as overreacting.
I swear to you I feel it, it scares me half to death
Despite others' dismissals, the persona is certain of the reality of their anxiety, and it is causing them significant distress.
It gathers in my throat and it gathers up my breath
The physical sensations of anxiety are building to a point where they are beginning to interfere with the persona's ability to breathe normally.
Anxiety, got me on the run
This line describes how anxiety can feel almost like a predator, chasing the persona down and making it difficult for them to function.
Anxiety, yeah, I just need someone
The persona is reaching out for help, recognizing that they are unable to manage their anxiety alone.
Anxiety, can't get nothin' done
The pervasive nature of anxiety is described here, as it begins to interfere with the persona's ability to complete tasks or focus on anything else.
Anxiety, spoils all the fun
The persona feels overwhelmed by their anxiety, and as a result, is unable to enjoy life or engage in leisure activities that they used to find pleasurable.
I'm picking up the telephone, there's no one I can call
The persona is attempting to reach out, but finds that they have no one to turn to for support or comfort.
I need somebody bad tonight, can't find no sleep at all
The persona is feeling incredibly vulnerable and in need of company or reassurance, with their anxiety preventing them from being able to sleep or rest.
I wish I could relax, I just can't stop my mind
Despite wanting to calm down, the persona finds themselves unable to turn off their anxious thoughts or worries.
I wish I could collapse, but my body's not that kind
The persona feels physically and emotionally exhausted, but their body is unable to simply shut down or collapse from the weight of their anxiety.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLY STEINBERG, NEIL GERALDO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind