My City Was Gone

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "My City Was Gone" by The Pretenders from their iconic album Learning to Crawl. This track, released in October 1982 as the B-side to "Back on the Chain Gang," carries a raw emotional weight. Written by Chrissie Hynde, the song is a poignant reflection on her hometown of Akron, Ohio, where she was shocked to find urban sprawl and pollution had erased the countryside of her youth. In a 1984 interview with Rolling Stone, Hynde shared that the song was her way of grappling with the loss of her childhood landmarks, like the disappearance of South Howard Street and the downtown train station. The song’s title was carefully chosen to avoid confusion with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young’s "Ohio," earning it the nickname "The Ohio Song" among fans for its vivid references to the state.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s unexpected cultural impact. "My City Was Gone" became the theme music for The Rush Limbaugh Show for decades, a choice that sparked controversy given Hynde’s liberal leanings and the song’s environmental message. In a 1999 interview with The Guardian, Hynde expressed mixed feelings, noting she allowed its use because Limbaugh was an Ohio native, but she later donated the royalties to PETA, aligning with her activism. The track’s recording also marked a transitional moment for the band, featuring a caretaker lineup with Rockpile’s Billy Bremner on guitar and Big Country’s Tony Butler on bass, as shared in a 2016 post on The Pretenders’ official Facebook. This was after the tragic loss of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, making the song a testament to the band’s resilience.

The Pretenders were born in 1978 in Hereford, England, sparked by the vision of Chrissie Hynde, an American transplant from Akron, Ohio. Hynde’s journey to rock stardom was anything but conventional. She moved to London in 1973, immersing herself in the punk scene and working at NME magazine while dabbling in bands like The Frenchies. Her persistence paid off when she formed The Pretenders with James Honeyman-Scott (guitar), Pete Farndon (bass), and Martin Chambers (drums). Hynde’s songwriting, blending raw emotion with new wave and punk influences, caught the ear of producer Chris Thomas. Their debut single, a cover of The Kinks’ "Stop Your Sobbing," released in 1979, laid the foundation for hits like "Brass in Pocket," cementing their place in rock history. Despite early tragedies—Farndon and Honeyman-Scott’s deaths in 1982 and 1983—Hynde’s leadership kept the band evolving, with her and Chambers as the enduring core.

Fans can stay connected with The Pretenders through their official Facebook, where they share tour updates and throwback photos, or on Instagram (@pretendershq), showcasing behind-the-scenes moments and vibrant concert shots. On X (@pretendersband), the band engages with fans through quick updates and witty exchanges, like a 2023 post celebrating the 40th anniversary of Learning to Crawl. For deeper fan interaction, check out the Pretenders Fans Facebook group, a lively community sharing rare photos, concert stories, and vinyl finds. The fan-run Pretenders Archives website is a treasure trove of discographies, interviews, and historical tidbits, perfect for Zoo Freaks diving into the band’s legacy.