The Pretenders first record is one of my favorite records of all time and a capstone to my collection. I am throwing on a song from it because another blogger was talking about this album and fired me up!
Thanks to stephan1001 over at http://1001albumsin10years.wordpress.com/2014/08/17/the-pretenders-the-pretenders-1980/ for getting me motivated to do a short post
You can’t pick a bad song-even my least favorite “Brass In Pocket” is better than 98% of all commercial rock music produced since 1950- and it is only my least fav because the rest of this record is so damn strong.
The power and energy in this candy coated but bittersweet melodic punk music is unrivaled.
Chrissie Hynde is the Queen of Rock Music.
The Pretenders first record is nothing short of brilliant.
I love it and all it stands for.
It has got me working on a post to unveil my top 10 records ever made (long overdue) and will come out on a blog near you real soon.
And just in case you need to see this song in a softer light to feel the genius of it- I offer you this:
SPOILER ALERT: THIS IS ONE THAT MADE THE LIST
Cheers from the Cave!
Cave of Fame 
I was at the Loughborough concert. Yes she was very rude about students, but they were the headliners . Certainly no Police, although i cannot remember who the support band were ?
I think some of the reason Chrissie wasn’t happy was because Brass in pocket and the first album were doing really well in the charts and they or her at anyrate had I’m a staritis.
thanks for that ~ I know how she can be but i love her anyway– well as much as a fan can without it being weird. 🙂
One of the best female voices around.
Love Chrissie! Never heard that acoustic version before – beautiful!
Chrissie Hynde hated students. Vividly remember her endearing words making this quite plain to the crowd at a gig at Loughborough University back in the late 70s when they were supporting The Police. We still thought they were great, but it was a unique way to start a gig!
I am jealous as the only show I had tickets for was cancelled and I have yet to see her.
This won’t help then. “Cos we saw them again a year later when they headlined! Same place – Loughborough Student Union building. Ms Hynde still hated students but still did the university circuit every year!
Thanks for the shout-out Wayne, what a record!
If I remember correctly, you’re also a big fan of London Calling.
This album reminded me a bit of that for 2 reasons:
1) Much like Brass in Pocket, the most familiar song (the title track) on London Calling is among its least excellent, but still better than 98% of the rest of music ever committed to tape.
2) Much like The Pretenders, depending on what country’s release dates you’re going by, it was either one of the best records of the 70s or one of the best of the 80s.
So I suppose it’s better to not worry about the dates and just say it’s what it is – one of the best, period.
Looking forward to the rest of the top 10!
You really got me with that and leave me with 8 records (which I better get to before you do more blogging or you may hit them all!).
You hit it square with the title track on London Calling which many consider a great song, not me…”The Card Cheat” is my my personal favorite…but I gotta save this for my top ten….thanks again for getting me back on track.
And,
Great call on the 79-80 thing between England and the U.S…that period of traditional rock music converting under the punk influence was some of the ripest fruit.
haha – I shall say no more until your top 10 post is complete!
Looking forward to it, you’ve got me thinking of my own 10 now as well…