Time the Avenger

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious "Time the Avenger" by The Pretenders from their 1984 album Learning to Crawl, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This track, a standout on the album, is a philosophical meditation on the fleeting nature of time, wrapped in the band’s signature blend of new wave and rock. According to a post on SonicHits, the song explores impermanence, with lyrics reflecting on a memorable stranger and the pressures of life, culminating in a plea to slow time’s relentless march with “another bottle of wine.” Chrissie Hynde’s evocative songwriting shines here, with lines like “Nobody’s perfect, not even a perfect stranger,” capturing a raw, bittersweet nostalgia. The song’s live performances, such as at the 2017 Glastonbury Festival and the 2023 PRYZM Kingston show, have been celebrated on X, with fans praising guitarist James Walbourne’s shredding solos that bring fresh energy to the track.

Another layer of trivia comes from the album’s context. Learning to Crawl, released on January 13, 1984, was a triumphant return for The Pretenders after the tragic deaths of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon due to drug overdoses. A Wikipedia entry notes that the album’s title was inspired by Chrissie Hynde’s daughter, Natalie Rae Hynde, who was learning to crawl at the time. "Time the Avenger" fits the album’s introspective tone, written during a period of grief and rebuilding for Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers. Fans on Facebook have shared how the song’s themes of time’s inevitability resonated deeply, especially given the band’s perseverance through loss. A 2024 post by PretendersHQ celebrated the album’s 40th anniversary, highlighting its enduring impact with a special vinyl reissue.

The Pretenders’ journey began in 1978 in London, though the band’s heart has roots in both England and America. Chrissie Hynde, born in Akron, Ohio, moved to London in 1973, immersing herself in the punk scene. According to AllMusic, Hynde worked at the iconic Sex boutique run by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren and played in early punk bands like Masters of the Backside. Her big break came when Dave Hill at Anchor Records heard her demos and signed her to his new label, Real Records. Hynde formed The Pretenders with Honeyman-Scott, Farndon, and Chambers, blending punk’s raw edge with melodic pop. Their debut single, a cover of The Kinks’ “Stop Your Sobbing,” produced by Nick Lowe, cracked the UK Top 40 in 1979, and their 1980 self-titled album, featuring “Brass in Pocket,” skyrocketed them to fame, topping UK charts and earning critical acclaim as one of the greatest debut albums ever.

Hynde’s distinctive voice and songwriting, paired with the band’s tight instrumentation, defined their sound through the punk and new wave era. Despite lineup changes, Hynde has remained the constant force, leading the band through 12 studio albums, including their latest, Relentless, released in 2023. Fans can connect with The Pretenders on their official website, follow updates on Facebook, check out tour photos on Instagram, and engage with posts on X. For deeper fan interaction, the Pretenders Fans Facebook group is a vibrant community where Zoo Freaks can share their love for tracks like “Time the Avenger.” The Quietus Management page also offers tour updates and insights, keeping fans in the loop on the band’s global performances.