Brass in Pocket

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with The Zoo Crew as we spin the iconic "Brass in Pocket" by The Pretenders from their debut album, Pretenders. This track, released in November 1979, became the band’s breakout hit, hitting number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 1980 and staying there for two weeks, making it the first UK number-one single of the 1980s. Co-written by Chrissie Hynde and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, the song started as a guitar riff that Hynde transformed into a sassy anthem of confidence. The title came from a quirky moment at The Pretenders’ first gig in Wakefield, England, in August 1978, when Hynde overheard a member of the supporting band, Strangeways, say, “I’ll have them if there’s any brass in pocket,” referring to money in a pair of trousers. Hynde loved the Northern English slang and wove it into the song’s lyrics, blending it with American phrases like “Detroit leaning,” a nod to a laid-back driving style, and “reet,” inspired by cartoonist Robert Crumb’s comic slang for something excellent.

Interestingly, Chrissie Hynde initially despised "Brass in Pocket," telling producer Chris Thomas it would be released “over my dead body” after recording it at Wessex Studios in London. She felt it didn’t fit neatly into any genre—pop, rock, or Motown—and cringed at her early vocals. Despite her protests, Thomas saw its potential, upping the tempo and adding studio flair, like piping drums through a P.A. for extra thump. The public adored it, with fans on X still sharing memories of its release, like a 2024 post from @ThePretendersHQ celebrating its 45th anniversary. Hynde later softened, saying in a 2020 Loudersound interview, “I enjoy singing it these days… it always reminds me of Jimmy Scott,” the guitarist who died tragically in 1982 at age 25. The song’s video, where Hynde plays a waitress, also became iconic, boosting the album to platinum status in the U.S. by August 1982, especially after heavy MTV rotation starting in 1981.

The Pretenders formed in March 1978 in Hereford, England, led by Chrissie Hynde, an American from Akron, Ohio, who moved to London in 1973. Hynde, a former art student at Kent State University during the 1970 Kent State shootings, immersed herself in the UK’s punk scene, working at NME and Vivienne Westwood’s clothing store. She played in short-lived bands like Masters of the Backside and the Moors Murderers but struggled to find a lasting fit. Her break came when Dave Hill at Anchor Records heard her demos and backed her to form a band. Hynde recruited James Honeyman-Scott (guitar), Pete Farndon (bass), and Martin Chambers (drums), naming the group after The Platters’ song “The Great Pretender.” Their first single, a cover of The Kinks’ “Stop Your Sobbing,” released in January 1979, gained traction, followed by “Kid” and then “Brass in Pocket.” The debut album, released in January 1980, topped the UK Albums Chart and hit number nine on the U.S. Billboard 200, earning platinum status. Despite early tragedies—Honeyman-Scott and Farndon died in 1982 and 1983, respectively—Hynde kept the band going, becoming its only constant member.

Fans can connect with The Pretenders through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper dives, check out fan communities like the Pretenders Fans Facebook Group, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for Hynde’s raw energy and the band’s new wave legacy. The Pretenders, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, continue to tour and release music, with their latest album, Relentless, dropping in 2023. So, crank up “Brass in Pocket” and let The Zoo Crew keep the vibes flowing!