Stop Your Sobbing
Released in January 1979, this was the track that first drew me into the Pretenders—and I’ve been a devoted fan ever since. The song was originally written by Ray Davies, who once shared that it was inspired by a former girlfriend. In a twist of fate, he and Chrissie Hynde later became a couple and had a daughter together. The video has a raw, stripped-down vibe, seemingly shot in a rehearsal space, capturing the Pretenders as they sharpened their sound and chemistry.
Kid
Released in June 1979, this track features a video shot at a fairground, adding a vivid backdrop to its emotional core. Chrissie Hynde once explained, “It’s about a prostitute whose son finds out what she does for a living, and this is her having a conversation with him. Not all songs are autobiographical.” Despite its provocative theme, the song resonated with listeners and climbed to #33 on the UK charts.
Brass In Pocket
Released in late 1979, Brass in Pocket became a breakout hit for the Pretenders, soaring to #1 on the UK charts for two weeks in January 1980. The video casts Chrissie Hynde as a waitress, serving Pete, Martin, and James, who appear as customers. There’s a subtle narrative thread, with Chrissie seemingly yearning for Pete’s attention, adding a layer of quiet tension to the performance.
Talk Of The Town
Released in April 1980, the song climbed to #8 on the UK charts. Reflecting on its origins during the Songwriters Circle in 1999, Chrissie Hynde shared, “I had in mind this kid who used to stand outside the soundchecks on our first tour…” Her words hint at the song’s emotional depth and the kind of fleeting, real-life moments that often spark lasting music…. I never spoke to him. I remember that the last time I saw him, I just left him standing in the snow; I never had anything to say to him. I kind of wrote this for him, so, in the unlikely event that you’re watching this, I did think about you.”
Message Of Love
Released in February 1981, “Message of Love” climbed to #11 on the UK charts and reached #5 on the US mainstream rock chart. Unlike most of their tracks, this one came together spontaneously in the studio. Drummer Martin Chambers recalled, “We never really got into the studio without any rehearsal and recorded a song, but we have done that once and that was ‘Message of Love’… Chrissie likes to come to the band when she has a song finished in her mind… but this time she hadn’t really finished it and so we just… rehearsed it already set up in the studio and it was on tape in two hours, basically.” Bassist Pete Farndon added that the original version included various sound effects—like car crash recordings captured by the band on the streets of Paris—but most were stripped out before the final release.
I Go To Sleep
Released in November 1981, the song climbed to #7 on the UK charts. The video, like many of their early ones, keeps things simple—just the band performing. It opens with each member gradually fading into view and closes with them fading out, creating a subtle, almost ghostly frame for the performance.
Day After Day
Taken from the Pretenders II album, this track peaked at #45 on the UK charts. The video captures the band’s arrival in the U.S., following their journey to a venue and culminating with them taking the stage—offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life on the road and the build-up to a live performance.
Back On The Chain Gang
From the Learning to Crawl album, this track carries a poignant weight. The video shows Chrissie Hynde standing on a bustling London bridge, while Martin Chambers moves through the crowd, adding a sense of quiet reflection. The song was recorded in July 1982, just a month after the tragic loss of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and following the dismissal of bassist Pete Farndon—marking a turning point in the band’s journey.
2000 Miles
Released in November 1983, 2000 Miles became one of The Pretenders’ most enduring songs, climbing to #15 on the UK charts. Its timeless melody and poignant lyrics have secured its place as both a seasonal favorite and a showcase of the band’s artistry.
The accompanying video offers a striking visual narrative: black-and-white footage of the original lineup traveling on a tour bus is interwoven with vibrant color clips of the band’s second incarnation, featuring Robbie McIntosh and Malcolm Foster. This interplay of past and present highlights the group’s evolution and was first introduced to fans through The Singles VHS compilation.
2000 Miles
Released in November 1983, 2000 Miles quickly became one of The Pretenders’ most beloved tracks, reaching #15 on the UK charts. The song’s wistful melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a seasonal classic, often associated with the bittersweet emotions of winter and Christmas.
The original promo video captures the band playfully frolicking in the snow, with Chrissie Hynde dressed in a Salvation Army outfit. Despite its charm, Chrissie herself later admitted she disliked the video, adding a touch of irony to its enduring legacy.
Middle Of The Road
Released in the UK in February 1984, this track from the Learning to Crawl album didn’t make a major impact on the charts. The video takes a playful turn, set on a fictional music show where the band performs—culminating in a staged crowd invasion that adds a burst of chaotic energy to the finale.
Show Me
Released exclusively in the U.S. in March 1984, this track from the Learning to Crawl album climbed to #8 on the main U.S. chart. True to the Pretenders’ signature style, the video keeps things straightforward—just the band performing, letting the music speak for itself.
Thin Line Between Love and Hate
This track is a cover of The Persuaders’ 1971 hit, and it reached #49 on the UK charts for the Pretenders. The video is set in a moody underground cellar, where the band performs in an intimate, stripped-back setting. It opens with piano keys playing on their own, setting a haunting tone, before Rupert Black appears later to take over at the piano.
Don’t Get me Wrong
Released on August 5th, 1986, this track climbed to #10 on the UK charts. The video pays homage to The Avengers, with Chrissie Hynde stepping into the role of Emma Peel. Patrick Macnee reprises his iconic character, Steed, while Chrissie is cleverly superimposed into the scene, blending classic spy drama with Pretenders flair.
Hymn To Her
Released in November 1986, this track reached #8 on the UK charts. Written by Meg Keene, a close friend of Chrissie Hynde, the song carries a personal touch. The video sets a cozy, wintery scene, with the band performing in a room warmed by a firepit, while snow appears to fall just beyond the windows—adding a quiet, atmospheric charm to the visuals.
My Baby
Released in March 1987 from the Get Close album, this track saw modest success in the UK, peaking at #84, but soared to #1 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. The video features Blair Cunningham, TM Stevens, and Bernie Worrell, showcasing the band’s evolving lineup and dynamic stage presence during this era
Never Do That
Released in May 1990 from the Packed! album, this black-and-white single found greater success in the U.S., reaching #5 on the charts, while peaking at a modest #81 in the UK. The video features Chrissie Hynde and Blair Cunningham, with two guitarists silhouetted in the background. Interspersed throughout are scenes of Chrissie darting through the streets of Paris, adding a restless, cinematic energy to the visual narrative..
Sense Of Purpose
Released in August 1990 from the Packed! album, this black-and-white video centers around Chrissie Hynde observing her on-screen boyfriend, played by Gary Stretch, as he trains in the boxing ring. Interwoven with these scenes are moments of the two walking together, adding a quiet, intimate layer to the visual storytelling.
I’ll Stand By You
Released on 21st July 1994 from the Last of the Independents album, this track reached #10 on the UK charts and climbed to #7 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart. It later gained renewed popularity when Girls Aloud covered it in 2004, taking it all the way to #1 in the UK. The video marked a departure from the Pretenders’ usual style, featuring Chrissie Hynde in a caretaker role—tending to a man by stitching his clothes and bathing him—adding a more intimate and narrative-driven visual approach.
Night In My Veins
The second single from Last of the Independents opens with a dramatic scene—a man robbing a drugstore. The video then shifts to Chrissie Hynde making her way to a bar, where Adam, Andy, and Martin are already performing. She steps up to the mic and begins to sing, later joined onstage by the same man from the robbery. The story wraps with his arrest and Chrissie stumbling out of the club, leaving a trail of emotion behind. It’s a standout track, and honestly, it’s a mystery why it didn’t chart higher.
Human
From the Viva El Amor album, this track is a cover of the Divinyls’ 1996 original. The video is minimalist and striking, featuring Chrissie Hynde seated alone at a table, wearing a hat—letting the song’s emotion take center stage without distraction.
Popstar
From the Viva El Amor album, this video features the band lineup including Adam, Andy, and Martin. Chrissie Hynde delivers a pointed performance, casting a critical eye toward the era’s female pop stars. With a trademark sneer, she declares, “No, they don’t make ’em like they used to. You should have just stuck with me,” capturing her defiant spirit and unapologetic edge.
You Know Who Your Friends Are
Taken from the Loose Screw album, the video showcases the band lineup of Adam, Andy, Martin, and Zeben. It weaves together scenes of the group heading to the stage, clips from the Loose in LA performance, behind-the-scenes moments, and glimpses of the fans—capturing the energy and camaraderie of their live shows.
Boots Of Chinese Plastic
From the Break Up the Concrete album, released in October 2008, “Boots of Chinese Plastic” features a striking video shot mostly in silhouette. The lineup includes James, Nick, Martin, and Eric Heywood, giving the visuals a raw, shadowy edge. The single resonated strongly in the U.S., reaching #6 on the Adult Alternative chart.
