What is this Pat Benatar song about? Does this song in any way reflect what could be considered a feminist perspectrive?
Nah. A male singer could sing it with a slight change to one line.
“Before you put another notch in your lipstick case
You better make sure you put me in my place.”
I think it’s a feminist song, within the context of it being sung by a woman.
Benatar used the metaphor of a relationship being like a conflict in other songs (“Love is a Battlefield” and “You Better Run” being two well-known examples).
In this case, the perspective of the song seems to be that the singer is as tough as the person she’s singing to. The singer notes that she has “fought” before with the line about having notches in her lipstick case. She doesn’t threaten the person she’s singing to but is making him aware that if he attacks her, she is capable of defending herself.
This real tough cookie with a long history is quite surprised by the fiestiness of the EVH-like guitar solo.
I don’t think it’s about physical toughness or conflict at all: I think it’s about (some) women being capable of having sex without love, and how (some) men seem to think that’s impossible. The guy in the song has a “history of breaking little hearts,” but she’s daring him to try breaking hers. Putting another notch in her lipstick case is a take on the old “notch on his bedpost” idea. Etc. Basically, she’s saying “You think you’re going to use me? Well look out, 'cause I just might use you.”
It attempts some role reversal. Guys put notches in their belts; she puts them on her lipstick case. She calls him “a real tough cookie,” normally a term applied to women. And breaking little hearts like the one in me…she feels but not as much as others think, more like a man. Put up your dukes and let’s get down to it: I’ll fight you on equal terms.
I read it as “Estrogen Woman takes on Testosterone Man.”
Hit me with your pet shark…fire your maid.