She Is the Warrior

One of the first videos I saw at the tender age of 12—back when MTV still showed music videos—was the amazing minimalist masterpiece "Goodbye to You" by Scandal. Patty Smyth, the pouty-lipped lead singer, did the "Molly Ringwald Dance" clad in her mini-dress and white belt. Her band looked like they had been kicked off the set of Miami Vice; a palette of pastel blazers and bad perms. But the song was so freakin' catchy it still rolls around in my head like a ball in a New Wave pinball machine. Two years later Patty and the boys returned with their most famous song, the chart-topping single, "The Warrior". The song is a sweeping anthemic ode to self-empowerment, a manifesto set to music. We have all dreamed of "shooting at the walls of heartache" and with one simple 4-minute song, Patty Smyth & Scandal placed an entire generation's deepest desires into a powerful yet accessible framework that filled millions with strength and hope. When Patty declares "victory is mine" at the end of the song, the victory is ours as well. In these unsure times, we all could use a little "bang bang" to get us through the day. Come bask in the empowerment 8 p.m. Thursday at the House of Blues. Visit hob.com for details.
Thu., Aug. 16, 8 p.m.