Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Pat Benatar Lyrics
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Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
That's okay, let's see how you do it
Put up you dukes, let's get down to it
Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
You come on with it, come on
You don't fight fair
But that's okay, see if I care
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I get right back on my feet again
Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
Well you're the real tough cookie with a long history
Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
Before I put another notch in my lipstick case
You better make sure you put me in my place
Hit me with your best shot
C'mon, hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
The lyrics to Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" come across as a challenge to a past love interest who has hurt her in the past. She acknowledges that the person has a reputation for breaking hearts, but she's ready to stand her ground and see what they've got. The repeated phrase "hit me with your best shot" can be interpreted as her daring the person to hurt her again, but it can also be seen as her refusing to be beaten down by their actions.
The lyrics are empowering and suggest a determination to not let someone's past actions determine her future. The line "knock me down, it's all in vain, I get right back on my feet again" shows a resilience and refusal to let past hurts define her. The song ultimately becomes an anthem for standing up for oneself and not backing down from a challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you're the real tough cookie with a long history
You are known to be quite resilient and experienced in dealing with difficult situations
Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
You have a track record of causing emotional pain to people, just like you did to me
That's okay, let's see how you do it
I am not intimidated by your history, and I am ready to see how you will try to harm me
Put up you dukes, let's get down to it
Let's engage in a fight, and see who will come out on top
Hit me with your best shot
Do your worst, give me your strongest attack
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
I dare you to use your most powerful weapon against me
Fire away
You can start attacking me now
You come on with it, come on
I'm ready for your attack, bring it on
You don't fight fair
You use questionable tactics in your fights, but I am not afraid
But that's okay, see if I care
Your unfairness does not affect me, I am undeterred
Knock me down, it's all in vain
Even if you manage to knock me down, it won't make a difference
I get right back on my feet again
I am resilient and able to recover quickly from setbacks
Before I put another notch in my lipstick case
Before I suffer any more emotional damage from you
You better make sure you put me in my place
You better make sure you defeat me, or else you'll have to deal with the consequences
C'mon, hit me with your best shot
I am urging you to give me your strongest attack once again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Schwartz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind