Pleasure and Pain (song)

"Pleasure and Pain" is a song written by Michael Chapman and Holly Knight, produced by Chapman for Divinyls' second studio album What a Life! (1985). It was released as the album's fourth single in the formats of 7" 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.

"Pleasure and Pain"
Single by Divinyls
from the album What a Life!
B-side	"What a Life!" "Heart Telegraph"
Released	April 1985
Genre	Rock, new wave
Length	3:50
Label	Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)	Mike Chapman, Holly Knight
Producer(s)	Mike Chapman
Divinyls singles chronology
"In My Life" (1984) "Pleasure and Pain" (1985) "Sleeping Beauty" (1986)

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.[1]

Formats and track listing

Australian 7" single

1. "Pleasure and Pain"
2. "What a Life!"

Australian 12" single

1. "Pleasure and Pain" (extended mix)
2. "Pleasure and Pain" (instrumental extended mix)
3. "What a Life!"

US 7" single

1. "Pleasure and Pain"
2. "Heart Telegraph"

US 12" single

1. "Pleasure and Pain" – 5:58
2. "Pleasure and Pain" (instrumental) – 6:25

Charts

Chart (1985–1986)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[2]	11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[3]	8
US Billboard Hot 100[4]	76
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks[4]	12

In other media

• In 2016, the song appeared in the season 4 premiere of the prison television series, Wentworth.

References

1. "Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Musicfeeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 91. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
3. "Charts.nz – Divinyls – Pleasure and Pain". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
4. "Divinyls - Artist Chart History". Allmusic. Retrieved May 23, 2007.