For My Sunday Song #108, I am going to discuss the song “Hell is for Children” by powerhouse singer Pat Benatar. The song was recorded in 1980 and released on her album ‘Crimes of Passion’ which went to #2 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. The song itself was never released as an official single, but became a hit nonetheless.
The song was inspired by an article that Pat had read in the New York Times that told the story of child abuse. She was so moved by the article that she started writing this song. In a time when no one was speaking publicly about child abuse, it was really groundbreaking for an artist to tackle such an intense subject.
The lyrics capture the sadness and despair the children of abuse face each day. Just read the opening verse:
“They cry in the dark, so you can’t see their tears
They hide in the light, so you can’t see their fears
Forgive and forget, all the while
Love and pain become one and the same
In the eyes of a wounded child”
The lyrics go on to talk about the abuser telling the kids not tell mommy and to lie to everyone about what happened while they apologize for what they had done yet continue to abuse. It doesn’t get more raw than this song, so powerful.
Musically, Neil Giraldo and Roger Capps captured the intensity and pain that these children felt and it just breaks your heart when you listen. That guitar solo is also something else as it seems as if it is depicting a child being abused at that very moment.
Overall, it is one of the most moving songs ever written and we should be thankful that Pat brought the subject out to the open so it can be publicly discussed. Pat and Neill (now husband and wife) have even started a foundation that helps abused children. How special are these two for taking it a step further than just a song, but actually helping these children. Pretty cool.
Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Happy Sunday!
“Hell Is For Children”
They hide in the light, so you can’t see their fears
Forgive and forget, all the while
Love and pain become one and the same
In the eyes of a wounded child
Because Hell, Hell is for children
And you know that their little lives can become such a mess
Hell, hell is for children
And you shouldn’t have to pay for your love
With your bones and your flesh
It’s all so confusing, this brutal abusing
They blacken your eyes, and then apologize
Be daddy’s good girl, and don’t tell mommy a thing
Be a good little boy, and you’ll get a new toy
Tell grandma you fell off the swing
Because Hell, Hell is for children
And you know that their little lives can become such a mess
Hell, hell is for children
And you shouldn’t have to pay for your love
With your bones and your flesh
No, Hell is for children
Hell, Hell is for Hell
Hell is for Hell, Hell is for children
Hell, Hell is for Hell
Hell is for Hell, Hell is for children
Hell, Hell is for Hell
Hell is for Hell, Hell is for children
Hell is for children
Hell is for children
A great and intensely moving song, made all the more powerful by Pat’s chilling vocals.
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Great track and selection!
Benatar was here back in July and was ding a show down but he waterfront. My brother had my nephew down there skateboarding at 11 am and Benatars band was sound checking.
Todd said it was a phenomenal soundcheck as they ripped out a bunch of heavy blues with Patricia belting over it…Todd said it was awesome…
Thats just the soundcheck!
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That is good to hear that they sounded great. Also, cool that your brother & nephew got to hear that. I wouldn’t mind seeing her one more time.
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