"We Belong" is a song recorded by American rock singer Pat Benatar, released through Legacy Music Group on October 16, 1984, as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Tropico (1984). The song was written by the songwriting duo of Eric Lowen and Dan Navarro.[3] It matched the success of "Love Is a Battlefield" on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the United States, peaking at #5. It reached #3 on Billboard's Top Rock Tracks chart and #34 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

"We Belong"
Single by Pat Benatar
from the album Tropico
B-side"Suburban King"
ReleasedOctober 16, 1984
RecordedJanuary 24, 1984
StudioLegacy Music Group
Genre
Length3:40
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Pat Benatar singles chronology
"Love Is a Battlefield"
(1983)
"We Belong"
(1984)
"Painted Desert"
(1984)

It was also successful in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 22 in the charts, nearly matching the popularity of "Love Is a Battlefield" which is her most recognized song there. The song earned Benatar a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance alongside Linda Ronstadt, Tina Turner, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. It was awarded a gold certification in Canada for sales in excess of 50,000 units.[4]

The music video uses the 7-inch version of the song, which contains some additional vocals in the 4 bar introduction that are not present in the album version.

The song was featured on the soundtrack of Deadpool 2 (2018).

Reception edit

Cash Box magazine said "This first single taken from the Tropico album is a collage of eclectic-electric effects and a sensitive and mature vocal offering from Benatar. Definitely not the standard Benatar/Geraldo [sic] hard rock jam, 'We Belong' is an ode to love which shows a whole world of vocal and instrumental nuances that have not been explored before by the powerful vocalist and her husband-producer-guitarist Neil Geraldo [sic]. An excellent move forward which should open up new commercial doors for this already well-established team."[5]

Track listings edit

7" single

  • A. "We Belong" - 3:40
  • B. "Suburban King" - 1:57

12" single (Europe)

  • A. "We Belong" - 3:40
  • B1. "We Live for Love" ('84 Re-Mix) - 3:55
  • B2. "Suburban King" - 1:57

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Certifications for "We Belong"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[4] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[25] Silver 200,000

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ Breihan, Tom (September 16, 2020). "The Number Ones: Madonna's "Like a Virgin"". Stereogum. Retrieved November 23, 2022. Pat Benatar's operatic, maximalist new-wave power-ballad anthem "We Belong" peaked at #5..
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Pat Benatar - Best Shots review". AllMusic. TiVo Corporation. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  3. ^ Paulson, Dave. Story Behind the Song: 'We Belong'. The Tennessean, June 25, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Canadian single certifications – Pat Benatar – We Belong". Music Canada.
  5. ^ "Single Review" (PDF). Cash Box. October 27, 1984. p. 8. Retrieved December 8, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "Pat Benatar – We Belong" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Pat Benatar – We Belong" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9672." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  10. ^ "European Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 8. February 25, 1985. p. 7. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  11. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – We Belong". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Pat Benatar – We Belong" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  13. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 50, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  14. ^ "Pat Benatar – We Belong". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  15. ^ "Pat Benatar – We Belong". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  16. ^ "Pat Benatar: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  17. ^ "Pat Benatar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  18. ^ "Pat Benatar Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  19. ^ "Pat Benatar Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  20. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 29, 1984". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  21. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Pat Benatar – We Belong" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  22. ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1985". Kent Music Report. No. 599. December 30, 1985 – via Imgur.
  23. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1985". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 3, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  24. ^ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1985 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 28, 1985. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "British single certifications – Pat Benatar – We Belong". British Phonographic Industry.

External links edit