Actor Luke Evans has launched his musical career, recording a cover of a classic tune from Pat Benatar.

Unlike Benatar’s rock version of the song, which was a massive hit in the 80’s, Evans has turned the song into a tender but powerful ballad.

The song was written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman and began life as a ballad, but when Benatar came to record it she transformed it into a powerful feminist rock anthem. Evans has now taken back to the form the songwriters first envisaged.

Evans began his career appearing in West End musicals including Taboo, Avenue Q, Rent, Miss Saigon and Piaf, but his film career has been in action movies like The Fast and the Furious franchise, The Hobbit trilogy, and Wonder Woman.  While Evans has always been forthcoming about his sexuality, he has always kept his private life out of the press.

The song is the lead single from Evans debut album and the film star has spoken about how long he’s waited to make his first album and get back to singing. Evans says he loves that the lyrics of Love is a Battlefield are so open to interpretation.

“The lyrics to the songs mean something different to everyone, especially in this day and age, when some people are not allowed to love each other,” Evans said. “For me, it’s about fighting through the pressures of love and coming out of the other end with it intact.”  

His debut album At Last will come out in late November and will feature a mix of show tunes, standards, and pop hits. It contains everything from songs by Cher and U2 to a showstopper from Les Miserables. 

The album will include Love Is a Battlefield, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, If I Could Turn Back Time, Changing, With or Without You, I’m Kissing You, Show Me Heaven, At Last, Always Remember Us This Way, Say You Love Me, Faith’s Song and Bring Him Home

The songwriters behind Love is a Battlefield have an impressive track record. Holly Knight was the songwriter behind many huge hits of the 80’s including The Best and Better Be Good To Me which were hits for Tina Turner, The Divinyls’ Pleasure and Pain, and Animotion’s Obsession.

Australian Mike Chapman produced huge hits for bands like Blondie, The Knack, Racey and Suzi Quatro. He also worked with Ton Basil, Bow Wow Wow, Altered Images, Ace of Base and Huey Lewis and the News.

OIP Staff