Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar

The first song on Pat Benatar’s first album, this was an instant hit and established the brassy, sexy personality she’d maintain through her career. But Benatar had already logged a few years’ musical experience beforehand, and it wasn’t all rock. In fact, she was trained as a classical coloratura and musical theater was one of her first loves.

During the '70s, she performed often at New York’s Catch a Rising Star club—apparently, the Judy Garland song “Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody” was one of her showstoppers. One year for Halloween she wore spandex instead of her usual cabaret garb, and the new image stuck. She gradually transformed herself into a rock singer, especially after recruiting lead guitarist Neil Giraldo from Rick Derringer’s band. Not only did he become her main collaborator over the years, the two have been married since 1982.

The English producer Mike Chapman was riding high in the late '70s-early '80s. Also in Rock Band are two other big hits he produced around this time: The Knack’s “My Sharona” and Blondie’s “One Way Or Another.”

The guitar part is mainly fairly easy, but Giraldo steps out with a solo at the end. It finishes with some nasty descending triplets that will fail you out if you’re not careful.

On vocals, mind the high notes and the fall-offs at the ends of the phrases. Also, there are some tricky rhythms in the tambourine section, so pay attention. You’ll be rewarded toward the end with one of the only a cappella vocal breaks in all of Rock Band!

Still rocking, and still with guitarist Giraldo by her side.