Precious

The Zoo Crew is spinning the raw, electrifying track Precious by The Pretenders from their iconic debut album, Pretenders, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its gritty energy. This song, a standout from the 1980 release, is a bold reflection of Chrissie Hynde’s unapologetic attitude and the band’s punk-infused rock sound. One juicy piece of trivia comes from the song’s lyrics, which paint a vivid picture of Hynde’s time in Cleveland. The line referencing “East 55th and Euclid Avenue” nods to a real intersection in her hometown, capturing the urban grit and personal experiences that shaped her songwriting. Hynde has shared in interviews that the song’s rebellious tone was inspired by her wild days navigating Cleveland’s music scene, with a nod to local legends like Mr. Stress, a blues musician, and even a cheeky mention of Howard the Duck, a cult comic character tied to the city. The song’s raw edge was further amplified during a 2022 performance at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert, where The Pretenders, joined by Dave Grohl on bass, delivered a blistering rendition of Precious, showcasing its enduring power.

Another fascinating tidbit about Precious is its place in the band’s early history. Released as a single in Spain in 1980 with Stop Your Sobbing as the B-side, it didn’t chart as high as their smash hit Brass in Pocket but became a fan favorite for its fierce attitude. Author Michael Chabon once called the debut album, including tracks like Precious, “one of the most astonishing debut albums in the history of music,” praising its obsessive-listenable quality. On social media, fans on platforms like The Pretenders’ official Facebook often cite Precious as a defining track, with posts celebrating its performance at historic gigs like the 1980 Concerts for the People of Kampuchea. The song’s provocative lyrics, including lines like “I had to fuck off,” stirred some controversy but cemented Hynde’s reputation as a fearless frontwoman who didn’t shy away from bold expression.

The Pretenders’ journey began with Chrissie Hynde, a native of Akron, Ohio, who moved to London in 1973 with a burning passion for music. Before forming the band, Hynde immersed herself in the city’s burgeoning punk scene, working at NME as a music journalist and even selling handbags at Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s punk clothing store, SEX. She rubbed shoulders with future icons, briefly playing in early versions of bands like The Clash and The Damned, but struggled to find a lasting musical partnership. In 1978, Hynde assembled The Pretenders with James Honeyman-Scott on guitar, Pete Farndon on bass, and Martin Chambers on drums, naming the band after The Platters’ song The Great Pretender, a nod to a version by Sam Cooke that resonated with her. Their demo tape caught attention, leading to their first single, a cover of The Kinks’ Stop Your Sobbing, produced by Nick Lowe. The debut album Pretenders, released in January 1980, skyrocketed to number one on the UK Albums Chart, driven by Hynde’s distinctive voice and the band’s unique blend of punk, new wave, and rock.

Despite early tragedies, including the drug-related deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon in the early ’80s, Hynde kept The Pretenders alive, becoming the band’s constant force. Her songwriting, rooted in personal experiences and a sharp wit, has sustained the band’s relevance for over four decades. Fans can connect with The Pretenders through their official website, where they share tour dates, like their upcoming 2025 Latin America tour, and discography details. Their Facebook page, with over 276,000 likes, buzzes with updates on gigs and throwback posts, like one celebrating the 45th anniversary of the debut album. On Instagram, @pretendershq shares vibrant tour photos and clips, while their X account engages fans with posts about performances, like a recent shoutout to their C6 Fest 2025 appearance in Brazil. For deeper fan interaction, groups like the Pretenders Fans Facebook group offer a space for Zoo Freaks and others to share memories, rare photos, and concert stories, keeping the band’s legacy thriving.