Time the Avenger

The Zoo Crew is spinning "The Pretenders' "Time the Avenger" for all the Zoo Freaks out there, a track from their 1984 album Learning to Crawl. This song, penned by Chrissie Hynde, is a gritty reflection on the relentless passage of time, with lyrics that paint vivid scenes of fleeting success and personal loss. One piece of trivia comes from a 2011 fan discussion on SongMeanings, where users noted the song’s cinematic quality, likening it to a story of a high-flying professional blindsided by life’s impermanence. The line “Nobody’s permanent, everything’s on loan here” hits hard, and fans speculated it might reflect Hynde’s own experiences with the tragic losses of bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, who died before the album’s release. In a rare 1984 interview snippet shared on a fan page, Hynde described the song as “a kick in the teeth to anyone who thinks they’ve got it all figured out,” emphasizing its raw, cautionary edge.

Another tidbit surfaces from The Pretenders’ official Facebook, where a 2020 post celebrated the album’s anniversary, hinting that “Time the Avenger” was a live favorite for its driving rhythm and Hynde’s fierce delivery. Fans in the comments shared stories of hearing it during the band’s 1984 tour, with one recalling Hynde’s playful onstage banter about time “sneaking up like a bad ex.” The song’s production, handled by Chris Thomas, also gets praise for its tight, punchy sound, with Martin Chambers’ drumming giving it a relentless pulse, as noted in a fan analysis on Pretenders.org. While Hynde rarely dives deep into the song’s meaning on platforms like Instagram, her posts often share throwback photos from the Learning to Crawl era, suggesting a fondness for that period despite its challenges.

The Pretenders began in 1978, sparked by Chrissie Hynde’s relentless drive and raw talent. Born in Akron, Ohio, Hynde moved to London in the early ’70s, immersing herself in the punk and rock scenes. She worked at NME and hung with future stars like Mick Jones of The Clash, soaking up the city’s creative chaos. Her break came when Dave Hill at Anchor Records heard her demo tapes, as detailed in a bio on AllMusic. Hill set her up in a rehearsal studio, where she jammed with early collaborators like Mal Hart and Phil Taylor of Motörhead. Hynde’s vision took shape when she formed a band with Pete Farndon on bass, James Honeyman-Scott on guitar, and Gerry Mcilduff on drums, soon replaced by Martin Chambers. Named after The Platters’ “The Great Pretender,” a nod to a past love’s favorite song, the band recorded their first single, a cover of The Kinks’ “Stop Your Sobbing,” in 1979. Their self-titled debut album in 1980, with hits like “Brass in Pocket,” skyrocketed them to fame, cementing Hynde as a trailblazing frontwoman.

Fans can connect with The Pretenders through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, vintage photos, and music clips. The official website offers videos, discography, and tour dates, like their 2025 Latin America tour posted in December 2024. Fan communities thrive online, with Pretenders.org offering news, forums, and fan stories. On Facebook, groups like “Pretenders Fans” and “Chrissie Hynde Appreciation Society” buzz with discussions, memes, and concert memories, uniting Zoo Freaks and beyond in their love for the band’s enduring legacy.