Few albums in rock history have kicked the door down quite like Pretenders, the explosive debut from Chrissie Hynde and company released in 1980. A seamless fusion of punk energy, new wave hooks, and rock and roll swagger, Pretenders made the band a household name, delivering iconic hits like “Brass in Pocket,” “Kid,” and “Stop Your Sobbing.” But behind the sharp songwriting and undeniable charisma, there are some fascinating stories about this legendary record that even die-hard fans may not know.
1. Nick Lowe Didn’t Think They’d Make It
Nick Lowe, a producer who helped shape the sound of new wave, was behind the band’s first single, a cover of the Kinks’ “Stop Your Sobbing.” But after that session, Lowe opted out of working with the band again, famously saying he didn’t think they were “going anywhere.” Enter Chris Thomas, fresh off his work with the Sex Pistols and Roxy Music, who stepped in to produce Pretenders. Under his guidance, the album became a powerhouse, proving Lowe’s assessment dead wrong. Ironically, Lowe had worked with Elvis Costello, another act initially underestimated by the industry—making his misjudgment all the more shocking in hindsight.
2. Chrissie Hynde Was Initially Against Releasing “Brass in Pocket”
“Brass in Pocket” became Pretenders’ first #1 hit in the UK and a defining moment of the early ’80s. But Chrissie Hynde was so unsure about the song that she tried to block its release as a single. She disliked how her voice sounded on the recording, feeling that she was still figuring out her vocal identity. Her producer, Chris Thomas, had to convince her that the song had something special. The rest, of course, is history. Hynde later admitted that she had grown to love it, and today, it stands as one of the most recognizable tracks in rock.
3. The Album Features a Song Inspired by a Real-Life Mugging
The album’s opening track, “Precious,” sets the tone with its raw punk energy and razor-sharp attitude. But the song has a darker inspiration—Hynde wrote it after being mugged at knifepoint in Cleveland, her hometown. Rather than wallowing in fear, she transformed the experience into an empowering, confrontational anthem. The song’s driving rhythm and venomous delivery make it one of the most exhilarating album openers of all time, serving as a perfect introduction to the band’s fearless style.
4. James Honeyman-Scott Crafted “Kid’s” Guitar Solo Over Several Days
Lead guitarist James Honeyman-Scott’s playing on Pretenders is nothing short of sublime, and nowhere is that more evident than on “Kid.” His solo on the song is a study in melody and restraint, striking the perfect balance between pop sensibility and rock grit. According to drummer Martin Chambers, Honeyman-Scott meticulously crafted the solo over multiple days, refining each note until it felt just right. The end result? A guitar break that remains one of the most elegant and memorable moments in Pretenders’ catalog.
5. Grace Jones Covered One of Its Deep Cuts—And It Became a Hit
While Pretenders was packed with hits, one of its lesser-known tracks, “Private Life,” found an unlikely second life in the hands of an icon from a completely different genre: Grace Jones. The reggae-influenced song caught the attention of Jones, who recorded her own version for Warm Leatherette in 1980. Jones’ take transformed “Private Life” into a brooding, dub-heavy anthem that cracked the UK charts, introducing Hynde’s songwriting to an entirely new audience. Hynde later admitted that she thought Jones’ version was better than her own!
Four decades after its release, Pretenders still sounds fresh, vital, and defiant. It introduced the world to Chrissie Hynde’s inimitable voice, James Honeyman-Scott’s brilliant guitar work, and a band that could seamlessly bridge the worlds of punk, new wave, and classic rock. Whether you’re revisiting it for the hundredth time or discovering it for the first, there’s always something new to uncover in this landmark debut.
