Burning The Ground Exclusive
NEW 2026 Transfer
NEW Meticulous Audio Restoration
Previously posted April 14, 2015
Released on June 24, 1985, “Invincible” is the Grammy-nominated lead single from Pat Benatar’s sixth studio album, Seven the Hard Way. Written by Holly Knight and Simon Climie—with Knight also having co-written Benatar’s earlier breakthrough anthem “Love Is a Battlefield”—the song was created as a defining statement, not just a hit.
The track also served as the theme song for the 1985 film The Legend of Billie Jean, a cult favorite whose narrative of defiance, justice, and self-determination mirrors the song’s core message. That alignment wasn’t accidental. Invincible doesn’t simply accompany rebellion—it embodies it.
From its opening pulse, the record announces itself with authority. Synth-driven but grounded by Neil Giraldo’s unmistakable guitar work, the production balances mid-’80s pop precision with rock muscle. It’s bold, forward-moving, and unafraid of its own power. This is empowerment framed as momentum.
Lyrically, the song rejects passivity outright. Benatar’s vocal delivery is direct and uncompromising, cutting cleanly through the arrangement. There’s no irony here, no distance between the message and the performance. Invincible doesn’t suggest strength—it demands it.
Commercially, the song became one of Benatar’s defining hits, reaching #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning heavy rotation on MTV. In an era crowded with strong female voices, Benatar stood apart by leaning fully into conviction rather than spectacle. The song became Benatar’s fourth and final American top ten hit.
This presentation features a brand-new 2026 transfer with a meticulous new audio restoration, preserving the punch of the original mix while revealing added depth, clarity, and low-end weight. It’s a reminder of just how big—and how intentional—this record was meant to sound.
While Invincible wasn’t designed as a club track in the traditional sense, it shares DNA with the 12″ era’s emphasis on scale and physicality: big drums, big hooks, and a sound meant to move people—whether in an arena, on a car radio, or on a dancefloor where genre lines blurred.
Nearly forty years on, Invincible remains exactly what it claims to be. Not nostalgic. Not softened by time. It’s a song about standing up for what you believe and using your voice—especially when silence feels like the easiest option. In times like these, when our voices need to be heard louder than ever, Invincible still refuses to back down.
Pat Benatar didn’t just sing about being invincible—she made it sound achievable.
SIDE A:
Invincible (Theme From The Legend Of Billie Jean) (Extended Version) 5:31
SIDE B:
Invincible (Theme From The Legend Of Billie Jean) (Instrumental) 4:25
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | #10 | 1985 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock | #4 | 1985 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | #53 | 1985 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM) | #6 | 1985 |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | #23 | 1985 |
| Belgium (Ultratop50 Flanders) | #9 | 1985 |
| West Germany (GfK) | #31 | 1985 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – 4V9 42878
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
- Engineer – “Tokes”*
- Management – Rick Newman
- Producer – Mike Chapman
- Remix – John “Tokes” Potoker*
- Written-By – H. Knight*, S. Climie*
NOTES:
Theme from the film “THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN”
From the LP “SEVEN THE HARD WAY”
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Invincible: The song with the empowering lyrics.
(We can’t afford to be innocent / Stand up and face the enemy)
Which resonated deeply with the youth of the time, becoming an anthem of struggle and self-affirmation.
Fun Fact: Pat Benatar has mentioned on occasion that, although she acknowledges the song’s success, she found the production “too pop” compared to her rock roots, but for fans, it’s an essential piece of her catalog.
Thank you so much Paul!! One of my all-time favorite Pat Benatar singles… such urgency with a hook that doesn’t let go! And the iconic video too… This was part of the soundtrack to the summer of ’85, one of the greatest summers ever! Your write-up hits this one out of the park, and your original post has been in my playlist for years. So excited to replace it with this – your new meticulous transfer with added depth, clarity and low-end weight!! You rock!!
Retro Hound, your enthusiasm is contagious — thank you! This track really does capture that mid‑’85 lightning in a bottle, and I love hearing how deeply it’s woven into your own memories of that summer. The video, the energy, the hook… it all still hits with the same force. I’m thrilled the new transfer brings out even more of that depth and punch for you. Knowing the original’s been in your playlist for years makes the upgrade feel especially worthwhile. Really appreciate the kind words — and you absolutely rock too.
You knocked this one out of the park! Thank you Dj Paul!! I always loved the movie when it aired on HBO back in the day. My memory of how often it aired is a bit hazy, but I feel like it was a ton, just like the delightful Monster Squad (Rock until you drop!). Pat Benatar has so many classics.. this song was originally never one of my favorites but it has actually grown on me over the years. I have to say – the extended version is way better than the original mix! Something about the remixed bits… Read more »
JP, wow — what an absolute joy to read your comment! Thank you! This track really does bring back that whole HBO‑on‑repeat era, and I love that you tied it to Monster Squad too — that’s peak 80s cable energy right there. I’m with you on how songs can sneak up on you over the years. ‘Invincible’ has that slow‑burn magic, and the extended mix really lets all those little production touches breathe. Hearing that this version hit the spot for you makes all the work behind the transfer completely worth it. And I’m thrilled you enjoyed the cover scan… Read more »
Great track! Pat Benatar needs more credit as she paved the way for female artists that followed!
Here’s hoping we see We Belong and Sex As A Weapon on 12″ too.
Tim, thank you! And you’re absolutely right about Pat — she opened so many doors and doesn’t get nearly enough credit for it.
I’ve actually featured both ‘We Belong’ and ‘Sex As A Weapon’ in the past, but it’s been a long while. I’m hoping to revisit them with fresh new transfers. Fingers crossed, I can give both of them the same upgraded treatment in the near future.
Really appreciate you keeping the Benatar love going.
Thank you for another killer 80s 12″. Pat Benatar, Laura Branigan, Melissa Etheridge, Tina Turner, … had such powerful voices and amazing personalities! I wish there were female Pop icons of that caliber today!
Also, this is yet another killer tune written by Holly Knight (from Animotion), this one in collaboration with Climie Fisher. I think Holly Knight was the Max Martin of her time.
Muchas gracias por compartir la mejor musica de los 80s, saludos desde Chile.
¡Muchas gracias, djwallys!
Qué alegría saber que esta música viaja tan lejos y sigue encontrando corazones. Me encanta compartir estos clásicos de los 80, y saber que los disfrutas desde Chile lo hace aún más especial.
Un abrazo grande y gracias por estar aquí.
Love me some Pat Benatar. Takes me right back to the MTV days! Thanks Paul!
Mikey‑D, love hearing that! Pat Benatar and those early MTV years are such a perfect match — the kind of memories that come rushing back the second that opening riff hits. I’m really glad this mix took you there again. Thanks for listening and for the kind words.
I still play your 2020 transfer of her biggest hit “Love Is A Battlefield” I missed this one first time around, so very welcome to see it again.
Thanks Paul 🙂
Mark, that means a lot — thank you. I love hearing that the 2020 ‘Love Is a Battlefield’ transfer is still getting play. That one was a labor of love. I’m really glad this mix found its way to you now; Pat had such a strong run in the mid‑80s, and it’s always fun to bring another piece of it back into the light. Appreciate you being here and sticking with these tracks over the years.
Obviously Pat Benatar could sing the phone book, but don’t need to with classics like this! Love this song!
I do remember thinking the movie it’s from did use “Billie Jean” as strategic marketing… 🤔😮❤️💯
ING, totally with you on that — Pat could make anything soar, but a track like this gives her the perfect runway. ‘Invincible’ is such a powerhouse moment from her, all fire and conviction. And you’re right about the movie… the title definitely felt like it was riding the wave of ‘Billie Jean’ hype back then. The 80s never missed a marketing opportunity. Thanks for the smile and for revisiting this one with me.
This is a great follow-up to yesterday’s post! I love these Pat Benatar singles, Paul! She is a treasure, that’s for sure! I’m pumped about the upgrade! Many thanks!
Jeff
Jeff, really appreciate that! It felt right to keep the momentum going after yesterday’s post — Pat had such an incredible run of singles, and revisiting them in upgraded quality is always a joy. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the improvements. Thanks for the enthusiasm and for being here to share in these moments.
I loved this last time around but will gladly take an upgrade. Thank you, Paul!
Dean, that’s great to hear — thank you! I’m glad the earlier version hit the spot, and it’s always a pleasure to bring an upgraded transfer back around when the source allows for it. Really appreciate you sticking with these mixes and giving this one another spin.
Great track but an old hat.
She‑Devil, totally hear you — this one has definitely made a few appearances over the years. Some tracks just keep circling back because they’re too good to leave on the shelf for long. Always appreciate you stopping in and giving it another spin.
Cool to have a new rip of this beauty Paul! I thank you. As always, much appreciated.
Stefano, I’m really glad this new rip works for you. It is always enjoyable for me to revisit some of my favorite records and provide them with an upgrade.