| Pleasure and Pain | |
| Cover: | PleasureandpainDivinyls1985.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Divinyls |
| Album: | What a Life! |
| Released: | 2 September 1985[1] |
| Genre: | Rock, new wave |
| Length: | 3:50 |
| Label: | Chrysalis |
| Producer: | Mike Chapman |
| Prev Title: | In My Life |
| Prev Year: | 1984 |
| Next Title: | Sleeping Beauty |
| Next Year: | 1986 |
"Pleasure and Pain" is a song written by Mike Chapman and Holly Knight, produced by Chapman for Divinyls' second studio album What a Life! (1985). It was released as the album's third single in the formats of 7-inch single and 12" single. It became one of their most successful songs, charting at No. 11 in Australia, No. 8 in New Zealand and No. 76 in the United States.
Junkee said, "Literally any Divinyls song ever recorded could have been called "Pleasure & Pain". Chrissy Amphlett’s titanic voice was all about pushing prettiness until it became punishing. "Pleasure & Pain" is a leather boot, pinned directly into your chest."[2]
In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Pleasure and Pain" was ranked number 43.[3]
Australian 7-inch single
Australian 12" single
US 7-inch single
US 12" single
| Chart (1985–1986) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 11 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 76 | |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 12 |
