Night in My Veins

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs spinning vinyl at THE ZOO radio station, are cranking up "Night in My Veins" by The Pretenders from their 1994 album Last of the Independents for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This track, a gritty rock anthem, carries a raw, lustful energy that songwriter Billy Steinberg described as a "great Pretenders rocker." Steinberg, who co-wrote the song with Chrissie Hynde and Tom Kelly, revealed in a Songfacts interview that he crafted the evocative first verse, with lines like "I see him standing silhouetted in the lamplight / I cross the street and I quicken my pace." Hynde then added her signature edge, completing the lyrics with vivid imagery of reckless abandon, like being pressed against a pick-up truck or a Cadillac. Steinberg noted that while their other collaboration, "I'll Stand by You," felt somewhat generic, "Night in My Veins" captured the band’s authentic, rebellious spirit.

Another tidbit about the song comes from a 2009 article by Dylan Jones in The Independent, where he wrote that the track "sounds as though Hynde is lost in a maelstrom of lust," with lyrics that "whisper sex." The song’s sensual vibe made it a standout, peaking at number 35 on the UK charts and becoming a staple on 1990s rock radio, as noted in a Musician Wages piece. Interestingly, the Norwegian band Dumdum Boys covered the song, showing its reach beyond The Pretenders’ fanbase. Social media posts from @ThePretendersHQ on X highlight its legacy, with one from June 2023 marking the song’s release as the second single from Last of the Independents in 1994, and another from June 2024 reminiscing about its performance at Glastonbury ’94. These posts keep the Zoo Freaks connected to the song’s enduring vibe.

The Pretenders, led by the indomitable Chrissie Hynde, kicked off their journey in March 1978 in Hereford, England. Hynde, originally from Akron, Ohio, moved to London in 1973, diving into the vibrant music scene. She worked at the music paper NME and at Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s clothing store, rubbing shoulders with punk pioneers. Hynde played in short-lived bands like Masters of the Backside and the Moors Murderers but struggled to find a lasting fit. In 1978, she formed 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 former boyfriend’s favorite tune. Their first single, a cover of The Kinks’ "Stop Your Sobbing," dropped in 1979, followed by hits like "Kid" and "Brass in Pocket," which shot them to fame, blending punk, new wave, and rock.

Despite early success, the band faced tragedy with the drug-related deaths of Honeyman-Scott in 1982 and Farndon in 1983. Hynde, the band’s heart and soul, kept it going with Chambers as the only other original member, navigating numerous lineup changes. Their 1994 album Last of the Independents, featuring "Night in My Veins," marked Chambers’ return after being fired by Hynde years earlier. The Pretenders were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing their legacy. Fans can follow them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Zoo Freaks looking for community can join fan-driven spaces like the Pretenders Fans Facebook group or check out Last.fm for more on their discography and fan discussions.