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
Sanctuary
Pat Benatar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What ya can't read, you gotta write
What you don't know can hurt you, welcome to the wasteland
Hail Mary, hear me now - I'm in need of Sanctuary
Yes, these are hard times to be livin' in
Out in the Wasteland where love's a give away
I fall on my face like a rebel in the dirt
Baby, Baby cover me
Feelin' lost and so afraid
Just tryin' to keep the handle on the blade
Been such a long time runnin'
Behind these walls inside of me
Ain't nothin' clear as far as I see
Looks like a storm cloud breakin'
Off in the distance, I hear a drivin' beat - a drivin' beat
The sun goes down like a rebel in the dirt
Sanctuary, Give me some protection
Baby, Baby cover me
Sanctuary, Give me some affection
by, Baby shelter me
Heartache gonna worry me down -- I don't like it
Show me mercy, peace of mind
Stand beside me in these troubled times
Give me a reason to believe in now
Love and affection, they seem so far away, so far away
All I can do just to make it through the night
Sanctuary, Give me some protection
Baby, Baby cover me
Sanctuary, Give me some affection
Baby, Baby shelter me
Sanctuary, Sanctuary
Sanctuary, Sanctuary
In Pat Benatar's song Sanctuary, the lyrics delve into the harsh reality of life and the need for protection and love. The song starts with the chorus where the singer pleads for sanctuary, a safe and protected place where she can find shelter and love. The first verse sets the stage by touching on some of the harsh realities of life: what we don't know can hurt us, and this is particularly difficult to navigate in times of hardship. The "wasteland" is a metaphor for the struggles of life that we must all navigate. The second verse touches on the fear and confusion that can arise in tough times, with the singer feeling lost and trying to keep a handle on life. She finds herself desperate for sanctuary, a place where she can find protection, affection, and shelter from the troubles of the world.
The overall message of the song is one of hope, as the singer seeks a sanctuary from the difficulties of life. It speaks to the universality of this experience, where we all need someone to stand beside us in difficult times. The driving beat of the song implies an urgency and a need for action, a call for someone to help. The song highlights the fact that while life can be full of challenges and struggles, love and affection can help us get through tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
Wise men say these are the facts of life
The singer acknowledges that life is difficult and complex, and that there are certain truths that cannot be avoided.
What ya can't read, you gotta write
When something is unclear or uncertain, one must take action regardless in order to move forward.
What you don't know can hurt you, welcome to the wasteland
The world is a dangerous place full of hidden dangers, so be prepared for the worst.
Hail Mary, hear me now - I'm in need of Sanctuary
The artist is calling out for help and protection, using a religious reference to convey the urgency and desperation of their situation.
Yes, these are hard times to be livin' in
The present moment is challenging and uncertain, and it is difficult to find stability and security.
Out in the Wasteland where love's a give away
Love and affection are rare and undervalued in a harsh and unforgiving world.
I fall on my face like a rebel in the dirt
The singer feels defeated and humiliated, like a warrior who has been defeated in battle.
Sanctuary, Give me some protection
Baby, Baby cover me
The artist is pleading for safety and comfort, using repetitive phrasing to emphasize the urgency of their need.
Feelin' lost and so afraid
Just tryin' to keep the handle on the blade
The artist is overwhelmed and struggling to cope with their fear and uncertainty, using a metaphor of wielding a dangerous weapon to convey the seriousness of their situation.
Been such a long time runnin'
Behind these walls inside of me
Ain't nothin' clear as far as I see
Looks like a storm cloud breakin'
The artist feels trapped and uncertain, with no clear path forward, but senses a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
Off in the distance, I hear a drivin' beat - a drivin' beat
The sun goes down like a rebel in the dirt
The singer is cheered by the sound of music and the promise of a new day, but still feels weighed down by their struggles.
Sanctuary, Give me some affection
by, Baby shelter me
The artist is seeking comfort and solace from their loved ones, using repeated words and phrases to emphasize their desire for protection.
Heartache gonna worry me down -- I don't like it
Show me mercy, peace of mind
Stand beside me in these troubled times
The singer is feeling overwhelmed by their pain and suffering, and wants the support and compassion of those around them to help them through their difficulties.
Give me a reason to believe in now
Love and affection, they seem so far away, so far away
All I can do just to make it through the night
The singer is longing for hope and reassurance, expressing doubt that they will ever find love and connection, and struggling to get through each day one step at a time.
Sanctuary, Sanctuary
Sanctuary, Sanctuary
The singer restates their urgent plea for help and protection, emphasizing the importance of their need for safety and comfort.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Myron Grombacher, Neil Giraldo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind