Seven the Hard Way is the sixth studio album by American singer Pat Benatar, released on November 13, 1985, by Chrysalis Records. It debuted on the US Billboard 200 for the week of December 14 and peaked at number 26, spawning the singles "Invincible", "Sex as a Weapon", and "Le Bel Age". The album has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The Grammy Award-nominated single "Invincible" was produced by Mike Chapman and recorded for the soundtrack of the Matthew Robbins film The Legend of Billie Jean, which, despite underperforming at the box office, became a cult classic to MTV fans in general. The song became commercially successful and was included on the album, despite its musical style differing from Benatar's at that time and more reminiscent of her earlier efforts. Benatar often commented at her concerts before performing the song that it "is from one of the worst movies ever made” to upset fans of the '80s film. Another track, "Run Between The Raindrops", was featured in The Stepfather.
Seven the Hard Way was Benatar's last album to feature bassist Donnie Nossov, who along with drummer Myron Grombacher went on to play with Lita Ford on her breakthrough album, Lita (1988), and on the supporting tour. Grombacher would return to Benatar's band for her follow-up album, Wide Awake in Dreamland, released after the three-year hiatus that followed Seven the Hard Way.
In 1998, BGO Records reissued Seven the Hard Way on CD with Tropico.
Track listing
Personnel Band members Pat Benatar – vocals Neil Giraldo – guitars Charlie Giordano – keyboards Donnie Nossov – bass guitar Myron Grombacher – drums
Additional musicians Maxi Anderson, Rose Banks, Tuffy Cummings, Voncielle Faggett, Tommy Funderburk, Gean Johnson, Tom Kelly, Frank Linx, Phyllis St. James, Carmen Twillie, Táta Vega – background vocals Lenny Castro – percussion Uptown Horns – horns
Technical Neil Giraldo – production Joe Chiccarelli – associate production, engineering ; mixing Mike Chapman – production William Wittman – engineering, mixing Dave Hernandez, Daren Klein, George Tutko – additional engineering Scott Church, Robert Corti, Marc DeSisto, Paul Ericksen, Steve Himelfarb, Gary Hollis, Richard McKernan, Charlie Paakkari, Brian Scheuble, Samii Taylor – engineering assistance Scotty Bem, Jeff Chonis – production coordination Michael Frondelli – mixing George Marino – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City)
Artwork Moshe Brakha – photography Larry Vigon – art direction, design
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Seven the Hard Way Chart (1985–1986) Peakposition Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 19 European Albums (Eurotipsheet) 51 Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) 16 Japanese Albums (Oricon) 53
Year-end charts + Year-end chart performance for Seven the Hard Way Chart (1986) Position Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 84 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 35
Certifications
References
Bibliography