Sweet Jane 61 Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 Ok I did a search and there is no thread dedicated to this awesome group, so I am starting one. I became a fan with their first album "The Pretenders" back in 1980. I think Chrissie Hynde's talent is beyond words. Her songwriting pulls you in and you are feeling her words as she sings them with her sexy style. The Pretenders struggled with different band line-ups due to the firing of Pete Farndon and the tragic death of James Honeyman-Scott due to a drug overdose, and then Farndon a year later also died from an overdose. I stayed a fan through all the changes within the band. I saw them in concert 3 times and each time the line-up was different, but it was Chrissie that I went to see. Her style and stage presence was intoxicating. She rocked just as well as the guys, if not better. I was never disappointed at a concert. I love so many of their songs, I can't pick just one favorite. Here are some of my top picks... Kid Mystery Achievement Precious Message of Love Middle of The Road Tattooed Love Boys Up The Neck Night in My Veins There are more, but these I never get tired of listening to. I know there are Pretenders fans on SF...come on share your thoughts on this kickin' band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 "The Pretenders" was the first album I ever bought. It's brilliant. Second album is good too, though I confess I kind of lost touch with them after that. Oh...I bought the "Back On The Chain Gang" single,too. Chrissie Hynde was an icon, and, (I believe anyway), one of the most credible role-models for girls/women into rock music, at a time when there weren't really that many around. Around the early 80s I read quite a few interviews with women fronting punk/alternative bands who cited Chrissie as a major inspiration. Although The Pretenders weren't strictly a punk band, they had bags of punk attitude, which certainly shines through in those first albums. Chrissie wasn't averse to flirting with the more distasteful aggressive and confrontational vibe that was de rigueur at that time. It might be news to some that Chrissie was actually a "player" in the early days of the UK punk thing, hanging out with The Clash and The Pistols, playing her embryonic songs to them in dingy, squalid flats, (and probably not being taken very seriously...) She formed a punk band of her own, "The Moors Murderers", with Steve Strange who later found fame in New Romantic guise with Visage. Thankfully, that band came to nothing, paving the way for The Pretenders. I think it was "Stop You're Sobbing" that hooked me - I didn't know it was a Ray Davies song at first- then probably "Kid". I'm pretty sure I already had the album when "Brass In Pocket" came out. I dunno..it was along time ago now. But hell, I can remember the excitement of getting that album...Still fantastic after all these years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted March 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 I kept up with them through the years. I was just so impresssed with Chrissie Hynde, yes I have a girl crush on her, how can you not? I have all their albums through "The Last Of The Independents". I want to get "Pirate Radio" the box set. I may just have to buy myself an early birthday gift this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 I loved her red leather jackett... among other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skybluesky Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Brass in Pocket is my revvin' up to kick the worlds butt song I also love-Talk of the Town Message of Love I Go to Sleep Middle of the Road 2000 Miles Don't Get Me Wrong Chrissie Hynde is just in a class by herself. She's cool and she cares about the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I couldn´t believe it when I first heard this album... and the red leather jackett... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Edna...I love that album cover!! Chrissie looks hot yet at the same time like she could kick some azz!!! The ultimate rocker chick! I did have a crush on James Honeyman-Scott for a little while, he had that bad boy thing going on. I went home last night and pulled out their first two albums and just jammed, and my little girl was dancing around. She has great taste in music...wonder where she gets it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenacious_Peaches Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I've never been a huge fanatic, but I have always enjoyed their songs. I'm with C-girl, "Brass in Pocket" is a spectacular song. Jane, I'll bet you and your daughter were adorable dancing around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Well she was, but I guess Mama Jane still has some moves left in her. And it was The Pretenders after all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind-fitter Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 Obligatory Link To Wikipedia Entry An interesting read of the "You Learn Something New Every Day" variety. I'm thinking now that I must have bought the album with my "birthday money" as soon as it hit the shelves in January 1980. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet Jane 61 Posted March 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 That The Pretenders were led by a hard-rocking woman was no small factor in their early breakthrough. With her trademark dark bangs, dark eyeliner, and dark jeans, Hynde appealed to both genders. And due to, as the 1983 Rolling Stone Record Guide would say, "her sheer authenticity as a three-dimensional woman whose sexuality is completely in sync with a superb rock sensibility," she was able to escape many of the clichéd roles of women in rock music That is the Chrissie I love and admire!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted March 17, 2007 Report Share Posted March 17, 2007 I'm thinking now that I must have bought the album with my "birthday money" as soon as it hit the shelves in January 1980. Is it a collector´s item now? I bought it in London two days after it was released. It´s still in good shape... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meat is murder Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 I go to sleep is my fave. Chrissie Hynde loves Morrissey and said that the song Meat is murder converted more people to vegetarianism than any other statement. Please help get it back in the charts after 22 years - see link http://www.freewebs.com/meatisstillmurder/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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