Back on the Chain Gang

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as The Zoo Crew spins Back on the Chain Gang by The Pretenders from their 1984 album Learning to Crawl. This track, released as a single in September 1982, is a jangly, heartfelt banger that hit No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making it the band’s biggest U.S. hit. Written by Chrissie Hynde, the song was initially inspired by her relationship with Ray Davies of The Kinks, but it took on a deeper meaning after the tragic death of Pretenders guitarist James Honeyman-Scott from a drug overdose in June 1982, just days after bassist Pete Farndon was fired for his drug issues. Hynde later dedicated the song to Honeyman-Scott, noting in an interview with Rolling Stone that it “sounded like a Pretenders song” despite the band’s fractured state. The recording, done at AIR Studios in London, featured a makeshift lineup with Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers joined by Billy Bremner of Rockpile on lead guitar and Tony Butler of Big Country on bass. Bremner’s iconic guitar solo was nailed in one take, and Hynde recorded her vocals alone, as she preferred, with the band sent upstairs to play pool.

Another cool tidbit is the song’s nod to Sam Cooke’s Chain Gang, with its “ooh” and “aah” backing vocals adding a soulful touch. The B-side, My City Was Gone, became a radio staple and even served as the theme for The Rush Limbaugh Show for years, though Hynde, a vocal environmentalist, wasn’t thrilled about that association. The music video, directed by Don Letts, captures the band’s raw emotion, showing Hynde watching Chambers amid a crowd on London Bridge, reflecting the band’s resilience. Fans on Reddit have called it a “perfect song,” praising its upbeat melody paired with melancholy lyrics about loss and the grind of life. George Harrison once claimed in a 1992 Guitar World interview that the song uses a chord he “invented” for The Beatles’ I Want to Tell You, an E7 with an F on top, saying he was “proud” Hynde “copped” it.

The Pretenders were born in 1978 in London, sparked by Chrissie Hynde’s fierce determination. Originally from Akron, Ohio, Hynde moved to London in 1973, diving headfirst into the punk scene. She rubbed shoulders with early versions of The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Damned, soaking up the raw energy of the era. After stints as a music journalist and shop worker, Hynde’s demos caught the ear of Dave Hill at Anchor Records. He set her up in a rehearsal studio, where she jammed with various musicians, including Mal Hart on bass and Phil Taylor of Motörhead on drums. Hill saw her star potential and pushed her to form a proper band. Hynde recruited James Honeyman-Scott on guitar, Pete Farndon on bass, and Gerry Mcilduff on drums, soon replaced by Martin Chambers. Naming the band after The Platters’ The Great Pretender, a nod to a former boyfriend’s favorite song, Hynde led them to record their first single, a cover of The Kinks’ Stop Your Sobbing, in 1979. Their self-titled debut album in 1980, produced by Chris Thomas, exploded with hits like Brass in Pocket, cementing their place in rock history.

Despite the early losses of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon, Hynde kept The Pretenders alive, with Chambers as the only other constant member. The band’s been a revolving door of talent, but Hynde’s gritty vocals and sharp songwriting have kept them relevant for over four decades. They’ve dropped 12 studio albums, with their latest, Relentless, hitting in 2023, and they still tour to sold-out crowds. You can catch up with them on their official website, where they share tour dates and news. Follow their vibe on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they recently celebrated the 42nd anniversary of Back on the Chain Gang. For Zoo Freaks who wanna connect with other fans, check out the Pretenders Fans Facebook group or dive into fan discussions on Last.fm. Keep rockin’ with The Zoo Crew, and let’s stay chained to these killer tunes!