Haha I think Ace of Spades and Overkill from Motorhead left their marks! Influenced Bands like Metallica, Anthrax, Dave Grohl .. ahhh Motorhead just left so many marks and started so many sparks 🤘
Great video. I do love a chiming guitar. And what a voice Chrissie Hynde has! With jangly guitars in mind, This Charming Man by The Smiths is a song that influenced many bands since.Johnny Marr is a guitar genius
I skipped school so I could stand in the front row to see the Pretenders in 1982. It was an incredible show that I'll never forget. I had no idea that it would be the last few months of the original line up but looking back I feel so lucky to have seen them when I did. I still think those first 2 records are some of the best rock records ever made. Thanks for doing these videos!
A few things I remember... Martin putting beer on his floor tom so it would splash every time he hit it. Pete Farndon looking cool as hell spitting beer in the air while he played. The singer in my high school band caught Chrissy's tambourine (which we used at every gig after that). Just amazing memories all the way around.
When I first heard “Brass in Pocket” on the radio, I didn’t know anything about the Pretenders, and I assumed they were a Soul band, one with fantastically good material. A few months later a friend lent me the album, and I was shocked when the first track was the furious punk rock aggression of “Precious”. Such a great album., such a great band. Chrissie Hynde is a true badass, one of my favorite songwriters ever. James Honeyman Scott was one of the most influential guitarists of the 80s, despite being here for such a tragically short period of time. His solo on “The Adultress” is one of my all time favorites. And Marty Chambers is just phenomenal. Think of that pickup he plays into “Middle of the Road”. It’s awe-inspiring and iconic, or that amazing shuffle groove on “Message of Love”. I can get excited listening to those first two albums anytime anywhere, and amazingly they soldiered on and continued making great records after two tragic losses that would have destroyed less determined bands.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your insight! Yes agreed, amazing musicians, incredible songs and of Rock's best ever singers and band leaders, Chrissie Hynde!
with ya brother! remember thinking this song was "fancy" (probly all the tension & resolution), and we'd blast this record on a boombox whole riding bikes to the beach, surfboards in racks. so weird, hearing it. aside loving "Mystery Achievement", always thought this was the best writing job on the record, but top to bottom...what a terrific album. wow. excellent call, Warren! (and sooo relate to cringing at your own voice; Still can't stand mine -- and i'm surely not alone : ) xo shaylie
That jangling guitar man! Wow. Nailed it! I’m a drummer and obviously love Martin Chambers, but I was always drawn to this guitar sound. Just epic! That Bass too. At 54 I’m appreciating these songs a lot more. And now even more thanks to you. cheers 🍻 “clink”
I saw them live in a small club in Port Talbot, S Wales and I remember it being 1979. I was stood right in front of Chrissie ( the stage was only a foot higher than the crowd ) and she was dressed in a jockeys outfit of blue and purple . As the night/morning went on I wish i'd stood in front of Jimmy as he was so good. About this time I was being a dj (for beer) in a weekend rock club where the likes of Iron Maiden, Def Leppard et al played before they were big so had hair half way down my back. I'm saying this because I was mostly a rocker but realised how good the Pretenders were and how good the songs were. I called James, Jimmy because I know someone who went to school with him and he was known as Jimmy in school. He saw the pretenders play their first gig together in a pub in Leominster after Jimmy told him what was going on and boasting about joining this band with an American singer. James used to take his guitar to school and apparently the teachers just used to let him disappear somewhere to play guitar. He, amongst so many others, lost their lives due to their drug habit. From above about the jockey outfit I presumed after hearing Jame's story was that they did it it because there was a horse racing track not far away in Ludlow. Gonna save this site and get my guitar out and learn the track tomorrow, thanks for a great overview will look at your other posts over the coming weeks. Regards
I remember having a cassette of the first album and a portable cassette player and playing it for everyone I ran into in Hollywood. I absolutely loved "Brass in Pocket"!
Your explanation of the chord structure and flow of my favorite songs is why I finally looked up what ASMR even means. This is so much better than tropical rain.
Love love love that you’ve chosen this song! Ive had the distinct pleasure of turning people on to the Pretenders and in every case they say “You’ve changed my world for the better!” This is my favorite of Chrissy’s performances!
At the 14:10 mark, I remember hearing that Chrissie Hynde also did not like the music video they made about the song Brass In Pocket. She did not like having her love interest in the video being her bandmate the bass player. They had an awkward and frictional friendship in real life.
I started watching this channel a couple of years ago hoping to improve my skill as a lifelong musician who just started mixing. Wow did I get more than I dreamed of! Not only have I become a better mixer and producer but I have gotten a musical education and even become a better person from watching! Your passion and kindness are contagious! Thank you and God bless you Warren!
I love The Pretenders earlier albums. Their songs are so catchy and just stick in your head for hours. They have so many great songs and Chrissie has such a fantastic voice .
I so fell in love with that album, their first from The Pretenders, that song hooked me after hearing on the radio, but that album was equally wonderful, so many great songs a instant classic of the era,where there was so many great bands releasing great albums,,it was a wonderful time for music ,that I still listen to today!
TH-cam put this in my recommended list when searching for a different topic entirely but happy to have clicked on it. Itt brings back great memories. The first time I heard it on the radio on the way to my recording studio, I detoured to the nearest record store to look for it. It was not out yet so I called the radio station and the office manager made a dub of it and sent a courier to deliver it to the studio. The band I was tracking heard it through the room monitors when everyone was getting ready and the decks finished alignment....it caught everyone's attention, the groove was infectous and lead vocal so laid back, confident but vulnerable. It was played several times and new discoveries were spotted each time. Across the hall in Studio B, had another group, Tower of Power also listen to it. It had an impact on two established radio staple bands that day before it was released to stores. At the time it was familiar in the styles but new in their combinations ina single song. I enjoyed the production values of this video and just subscribed. I was based on the west coast of the US, San Francisco where I owned a large 3 studio complex that did a lot of major albums from early 70s to 1990s Almost all the groups we did were based in the US, the only big English group recorded there was Fleetwood Mac " Rumors". A UK artist we did 4 albums for and who moved nearby was Van Morison. Definitely brought back memories I had not thought about for years..I miss the analog recording era of the independent studios. Not many survived the move from large production facilities to home digital recording and the scattering of the great staff we collected. Thanks for the memories and the great song. I moved out of the US in 2000 and only see a few artists who still tour here to St Petersburg Russia.
I loved the pretenders first stuff. I was 14 in 1979 remember hearing her voice and being blown away. so of course we wrote The Pretenders on our notebooks.
Wow, I'm so glad you're covering this song. I've met Chrissie and the band a number of times. They and Led Zep and Dire Straits drove my own guitar influences. Thanks for putting this together.
Nice breakdown and analysis. I loved the first Pretender albums with James Honeyman-Scott, he was such an amazing and inventive player. He never seemed preoccupied with speed or technical playing, he was focusing on sound, which is an appropriate focus. Focusing this way helped integrate what his fingers were doing with the tone of the guitar, and then feed that into the genre of music they were writing into and re-creating. Just incredible work. I still find his guitar work wonderfully listenable after all of these years. We lost a great artist way too early.
I didn't realize how much I really liked The Pretenders as a teen until I was older. This reminds of the first years of MTV -- they played this video a lot, and "Talk Of The Town",...man, what a great song.
A few years ago, I saw them in a festival in France. I had plenty of time that night and I waited next to the tour buses to meet another band... Somehow I started to talk around to a man who I noticed was French, because of his accent. He was Pretenders' drumtech. And boom, I remember climbing up in the Pretenders' crew tourbus and I had a beer with them all. I was only 19 or 20 at that time and I was shaking on my legs as I walked through to the end of the bus. I was sitting in a tourbus with a band's crew ! What a night... Absolutely incredible. Thank you Warren for this episode !
Love this series Warren! I'm 59 so I grew up listening to all this stuff, I was in High School when Brass in Pocket came out, later played it in cover bands,(Im a bass player, guitar Producer)..keep up the good work,
This is easily the best series on TH-cam at the moment. Each video gets better and better. Great choice of songs and great to have a producer and musicians insight into the technical aspects of the songs
I love this song. As a bass player, I'm instantly drawn to the bass line. The tone is sublime and the groove in the verse is so good and it swings wonderfully. As you say, the guitar is also fantastic with that beautiful jangling sound and the brilliant choice of chords that are left to ring out. Thanks for the video.
I still listen to this first LP I bought when it came out (yes I'm that old...), full of great songs. Her voice...magic. "Tattooed love boys" with its odd time signature.. Brilliant!
This series of reviews are exceptionally awesome, Warren. You "hit the note" on every single video! It´s a magically and tastefully kind of form to learn the history of modern music!
I remember when this song came out. I was really young at the time, but it stuck with me. Between The Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, and Blondie, my first three childhood celebrity crushes were amazing.
I had a black and white photo on my wall of Chrissie in t-shirt and jeans playing a Telecaster . I was young enough to think girls were dumb before seeing The Pretenders miming to this on Top Of The Pops !
Great song I was on the road moving from one gig to the next at night when I heard this come on the radio great tune a lot you can work with harmonically and rhythmically fun to play and sing great song thanks Warren
100% agreed top 10 for sure. The players the groove, Chris Thomas and Bill price what a team! From the sheen of the guitars to the punch of the groove, The entire LP fires on all cylinders. Great vid Warren 🎸🥁🎤👍🏻
The song is inbtwn Rock, R&B, and almost Blues sounding. I've loved it for decades, and never bothered my mind about where it fits in music genre . . I advise to just love the cool laid back groove of it and clear your head for a few minutes.
A woman travels from the U.S. Midwest to find out what is going on in the U.K. Works odd jobs until she ends up as a music journalist and meets the early pioneers of punk. And then she becomes a rock star... What a story! Thank you for this one!
She went to Britain because she wasn't getting anywhere in the US, I saw her in a interview telling how she had no place to live and she Road the subway back and forth all night,
I always liked the Pretenders but it's only been in the last few years that I decided I really loved them and realized how good they are, especially that first album. JHS's chorus sound reminds me of what some others were doing around that time, in particular Andy Summers of the Police, but his style is unique. Pete Farndon was a solid bassist with a great tone and a great attitude that fit the band perfectly, and of course what can you say about Martin Chambers, always a great drummer and back with the band today. Chrissie's voice and image were always so seductive and she managed to survive in a nasty industry where a pretty girl is always in danger of being exploited. The Pretenders have always been and still are her band.
A fantastic landmark song and an excellent video! Thanks Warren, Eric and anyone else involved. I really liked the video editing and transitions. Very cool!
The first PiL single "Public Image." The sound of Jah Wobble's deep reggae style bass with Keith Levene's slashing guitar (with plenty of chorus) and Lydon's vocal delivery sounded unlike anything I'd heard up until that point in time and still one of my favourite tunes. I remember the 1st issue of the single had a cover that was a like a newspaper folded around the sleeve. Love this video Warren, the added info tells a great story as to what was happening at the time and how it happened, your knowledge is encyclopedic, more of this please.
Ha! That's funny I was just thinking about PiLs first single. Wobble's bass and Levene's excellent guitar sound are amazingly distinctive. That song is in my top 5 personal favs.
Oh man, I loved Chrissie Hynde back in the 80s, she was kind of like if Pat Benatar drank beer instead of expensive mixed drinks. Back on the Chain Gang one of my favs of all time
Always loved Chrissie and the Pretenders, but never cared for this tune one way or the other. I thought it was boring when it was first released. Certainly appreciate the insightful analysis. I'll take Mystery Achievement any day.
Warren, I love that your doing this stuff! Thanks for your desire to share your wisdom. It's very encouraging and empowering. I dont think you've made a vid I havent watched lol. nothing beats being able to be a an intern under someone with experience but since the music industry is changing as it is, it's great to have this resource.
Thank you Warren! I have been addicted to your channel for the past 6 months as I am finding new passion in writing and producing my own songs. I love the early 80s British music and would love to see you cover Talk Talk - It’s My Life
Fantastic. Always thrilled to see someone dig into the Pretenders and JHS. In re: to the chorus effect on the track, JHS said in a 1981 interview that it was one of the original Clone Theories.
@@Producelikeapro Those EHX modulation units have a really special quality imo where they sound nice and swirly without any reverb or delay, which I've always felt like the Boss units need to sound their best. Fwiw JHS moved on to the CE2 later and had Pete Cornish build a CE1 into his final boards too.
I remember reading in Guitar Player magazine interview JHS used an Electro Harmonix Clone Theory to get that chorus sound and later got a Boss CE-1. He also used a Boss OD-1 overdrive and Boss CS-1 compressor.
Really loving this series! Thanks! And yes, one of THE greatest records of all time!! Is there anything that kicks your ass more than 'Precious' or 'Tattooed Love Boys!!!!!?'
Thank you for sharing some great music out there! I've been born in 1985 and some music just passed me by, especially taking into consideration living in another country. It's also exciting to learn the background of #1 hits: how it started, who was involved and how it went all together - it' makes a story special!
Certainly one of the best debut albums. The Cars' debut one of the other ones. Love The Pretenders (album) just as much today as I did when I bought it back then.
Not only did Brass in Pocket catch my ear, but nearly every cover band with a female singer in my area of Pennsylvania performed it, including more than a few country bands.
All I listened to for the most part in that era was Soul music, Jazz, and Jazz Funk. But this song turned my head to listen to that radio every time it came on. Its one of my very favorites even to this day. I never get bored of it no matter how many times I hear it. My number 2 which had me running to the t.v. to watch was 'Going Underground' by the Jam. Amazing. and Number 3 of this period: (Although I absolutely loathed that 'Romantic' genre, I think they call it) Soft Cell's rendition of 'Tainted Love.' Brass in Pocket will always be one of my very favorites.
I remember when I first heard Brass in Pocket, I was working as a DJ at the campus radio station at the University of Toledo and everybody was talking about this incredible new singer and comparing her to all the legendary singers of the time and how she was like or different from them. We were all amazed and we didn't know then that she was from the other side of the state but we were all in agreement that this woman was something special and we were looking forward to hearing more from her. She was insecure and hated her own voice? it's such a shame she couldn't have heard the conversations about her to know the impact that she was having, both the song and the singer changed music. about the only other female singer that I can think of that has blown me away since is Adele
Thanks for those insights. That first album is truly magnificent and a perfect vehicle for Chrissie Hynde's voice. She has a sort of emotional rawness that allows her to switch from rock chick growl to aching hurt in a beat. The variety of songwriting on the album highlights that, and Chris Thomas' production allows it to just sit right on that edge when another producer might have tried to force it into a neater box.
Finally! I do think JHS was a great guitarist, and I seemed to be one of very few people thinking on Pretenders II he is better (mainly more lyrical). Great video!
I think the main reason that song had stuck out to me back then was the guitar sounding like Andy Summers', one of my guitar heroes. Both him and Honeyman-Scott also played Hamer guitars around that time, which I like a lot, just like the scene with Scarlett Johansson singing 'Brass In Pocket' at a Karaoke in the 'Lost In Translation' movie. Great atmospheric song! Thank you for the video, Warren! :-) PS: I was in front of the TV on the evening that 'Musikladen' episode was aired, of which a bit can be seen in this video :-)
When I was in the Marines. I spent a lot of time at sea. Chrissy would put me to sleep. With I go to sleep. I wore out that cassette tape. I'll always love the Pretenders. Rock on !.
Another great choice, Warren. Chrissie Hynde is one of my all-time favourite female vocalists. And James Honeyman-Scott’s unique guitar lines were a breath of fresh air.
As far as a song that changed music, I would have to say Marquee Moon by Television. It didn't launch Television into stardom, but it seemed to inspire so many bands that achieved stardom both in the CBGBs during its heyday (Blondie, Talking Heads) and the New York garage revival in the 2000s (Interpol, The Strokes).
I’d say that the best UK guitar band of the early 80s, Echo and the Bunnymen were heavily influenced too. I know the interlocking Fender parts had a big influence on the way I approached guitar - not distorted and avoiding hoary old blues riffs.
What songs do you believe changed music? Thanks ever so much for watching!
Haha I think Ace of Spades and Overkill from Motorhead left their marks! Influenced Bands like Metallica, Anthrax, Dave Grohl .. ahhh Motorhead just left so many marks and started so many sparks 🤘
Great video. I do love a chiming guitar. And what a voice Chrissie Hynde has! With jangly guitars in mind, This Charming Man by The Smiths is a song that influenced many bands since.Johnny Marr is a guitar genius
@@HitTheRoadMusicStudio wow! Fantastic ideas!!
@@ShiningHourPop marvellously charming idea!!
Peter Murphy doing the Bela Lugosi thing
Honeyman-Scott was an incredible guitar player, like Johnny Marr. His loss was tragic and the first 2 albums are very special.
I skipped school so I could stand in the front row to see the Pretenders in 1982. It was an incredible show that I'll never forget. I had no idea that it would be the last few months of the original line up but looking back I feel so lucky to have seen them when I did. I still think those first 2 records are some of the best rock records ever made. Thanks for doing these videos!
Wow! You are so blessed to have seen that lineup live!! Incredible!!
Yes, definitely worth skipping school for! :-)
@@mightyV444 yes! Agreed 100%!
@@Producelikeapro - Choosing between Music and something mundane like school is kind of a no-brainer, too! x-))
A few things I remember... Martin putting beer on his floor tom so it would splash every time he hit it. Pete Farndon looking cool as hell spitting beer in the air while he played. The singer in my high school band caught Chrissy's tambourine (which we used at every gig after that). Just amazing memories all the way around.
Chrissy Hynde has one of the best female vocal ever. That's what made The Pretenders special.
Agreed! Amazing singer!
Remarkable vibrato!! Yes!!
@@rolandnorrone9262 agreed 100%!
Lovely guitar on Brass in Pocket but it's the groove and Chrissie Hynde's sultry vocals that make it for me. Sublime.
Hi Pat, yes, we talk about Martin's amazing groove as well locking in with Chrissie's incredible vocal
When I first heard “Brass in Pocket” on the radio, I didn’t know anything about the Pretenders, and I assumed they were a Soul band, one with fantastically good material. A few months later a friend lent me the album, and I was shocked when the first track was the furious punk rock aggression of “Precious”. Such a great album., such a great band. Chrissie Hynde is a true badass, one of my favorite songwriters ever. James Honeyman Scott was one of the most influential guitarists of the 80s, despite being here for such a tragically short period of time. His solo on “The Adultress” is one of my all time favorites. And Marty Chambers is just phenomenal. Think of that pickup he plays into “Middle of the Road”. It’s awe-inspiring and iconic, or that amazing shuffle groove on “Message of Love”. I can get excited listening to those first two albums anytime anywhere, and amazingly they soldiered on and continued making great records after two tragic losses that would have destroyed less determined bands.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your insight! Yes agreed, amazing musicians, incredible songs and of Rock's best ever singers and band leaders, Chrissie Hynde!
Chrissie is underrated as a songwriter and singer.
I loved this song as a kid. I would sing along to the radio when I thought nobody could hear me. I still love this song.
Thanks ever so much Bobby!
We heard you bro :)
I hear you!
with ya brother! remember thinking this song was "fancy" (probly all the tension & resolution), and we'd blast this record on a boombox whole riding bikes to the beach, surfboards in racks. so weird, hearing it. aside loving "Mystery Achievement", always thought this was the best writing job on the record, but top to bottom...what a terrific album. wow.
excellent call, Warren!
(and sooo relate to cringing at your own voice; Still can't stand mine -- and i'm surely not alone : )
xo
shaylie
I’m right with you guys - BRASS IN POCKET & MYSTERY ACHIEVEMENT are immortal.
How cool would it be to be that kid again experiencing all the great music for the first time again.
Yes! Thanks ever so much!
I love this series. I'm not even a musician, but these videos make me appreciate production in a new way.
That jangling guitar man! Wow. Nailed it! I’m a drummer and obviously love Martin Chambers, but I was always drawn to this guitar sound. Just epic! That Bass too. At 54 I’m appreciating these songs a lot more. And now even more thanks to you. cheers 🍻 “clink”
Thanks ever so much! Yes, as Gen Xers we got so much great music!!
I saw them live in a small club in Port Talbot, S Wales and I remember it being 1979. I was stood right in front of Chrissie ( the stage was only a foot higher than the crowd ) and she was dressed in a jockeys outfit of blue and purple . As the night/morning went on I wish i'd stood in front of Jimmy as he was so good. About this time I was being a dj (for beer) in a weekend rock club where the likes of Iron Maiden, Def Leppard et al played before they were big so had hair half way down my back. I'm saying this because I was mostly a rocker but realised how good the Pretenders were and how good the songs were.
I called James, Jimmy because I know someone who went to school with him and he was known as Jimmy in school. He saw the pretenders play their first gig together in a pub in Leominster after Jimmy told him what was going on and boasting about joining this band with an American singer. James used to take his guitar to school and apparently the teachers just used to let him disappear somewhere to play guitar. He, amongst so many others, lost their lives due to their drug habit. From above about the jockey outfit I presumed after hearing Jame's story was that they did it it because there was a horse racing track not far away in Ludlow.
Gonna save this site and get my guitar out and learn the track tomorrow, thanks for a great overview will look at your other posts over the coming weeks.
Regards
I remember having a cassette of the first album and a portable cassette player and playing it for everyone I ran into in Hollywood. I absolutely loved "Brass in Pocket"!
It's sad that James Honeyman-Scott died so young. He was an incredible guitarist.
Yes! Huge talent!!
A lot of folks think his solo on "Kid" is the best ever.
@ Me, among them...
Huge talent. Opiates have robbed us of so many.
He wasn't a bad songwriter either co-wrote Talk of the Town and Day After Day.
Your explanation of the chord structure and flow of my favorite songs is why I finally looked up what ASMR even means. This is so much better than tropical rain.
Brass in Pocket was and remains a pure golden masterpiece
Agreed 100%!
1980, I was 16 and fell in love. She's so great.
Thanks for making this video.
Thanks ever so much!
Thanks ever so much!
Love love love that you’ve chosen this song!
Ive had the distinct pleasure of turning people on to the Pretenders and in every case they say “You’ve changed my world for the better!”
This is my favorite of Chrissy’s performances!
Thanks ever so much Jerry! Yes, love this song and the whole album is a masterpiece!
At the 14:10 mark, I remember hearing that Chrissie Hynde also did not like the music video they made about the song Brass In Pocket. She did not like having her love interest in the video being her bandmate the bass player. They had an awkward and frictional friendship in real life.
I started watching this channel a couple of years ago hoping to improve my skill as a lifelong musician who just started mixing. Wow did I get more than I dreamed of! Not only have I become a better mixer and producer but I have gotten a musical education and even become a better person from watching! Your passion and kindness are contagious! Thank you and God bless you Warren!
Thanks ever so much Michael!! I really appreciate your kind words!
@@Producelikeapro You are so welcome!
@@michaeltablet8577 thanks ever so much!
I love The Pretenders earlier albums. Their songs are so catchy and just stick in your head for hours. They have so many great songs and Chrissie has such a fantastic voice .
Didn’t understand any of that but grew up on that song and still love it 40 years later
Thanks ever so much!
a real gem of a song ... first two pretenders albums .. so timeless .. never tire ... Coopesdeville west Australia xxx p.s. love your passion
I so fell in love with that album, their first from The Pretenders, that song hooked me after hearing on the radio, but that album was equally wonderful, so many great songs a instant classic of the era,where there was so many great bands releasing great albums,,it was a wonderful time for music ,that I still listen to today!
Agreed! Masterpiece of an album!!
TH-cam put this in my recommended list when searching for a different topic entirely but happy to have clicked on it. Itt brings back great memories. The first time I heard it on the radio on the way to my recording studio, I detoured to the nearest record store to look for it. It was not out yet so I called the radio station and the office manager made a dub of it and sent a courier to deliver it to the studio. The band I was tracking heard it through the room monitors when everyone was getting ready and the decks finished alignment....it caught everyone's attention, the groove was infectous and lead vocal so laid back, confident but vulnerable. It was played several times and new discoveries were spotted each time. Across the hall in Studio B, had another group, Tower of Power also listen to it. It had an impact on two established radio staple bands that day before it was released to stores. At the time it was familiar in the styles but new in their combinations ina single song.
I enjoyed the production values of this video and just subscribed.
I was based on the west coast of the US, San Francisco where I owned a large 3 studio complex that did a lot of major albums from early 70s to 1990s Almost all the groups we did were based in the US, the only big English group recorded there was Fleetwood Mac " Rumors". A UK artist we did 4 albums for and who moved nearby was Van Morison. Definitely brought back memories I had not thought about for years..I miss the analog recording era of the independent studios. Not many survived the move from large production facilities to home digital recording and the scattering of the great staff we collected. Thanks for the memories and the great song. I moved out of the US in 2000 and only see a few artists who still tour here to St Petersburg Russia.
Thanks ever so much for sharing your experiences! I really appreciate it
For me, this song also brings back such amazing memories! It’s wonderful that songs can do this for us!
I loved the pretenders first stuff. I was 14 in 1979 remember hearing her voice and being blown away. so of course we wrote The Pretenders on our notebooks.
That sounds like me, I'm a little younger however I remember it coming out and the huge influence it had!
I remember this song being played over and over and over again on MTV...Kinda like the song better now than I did back than,
Wow, I'm so glad you're covering this song. I've met Chrissie and the band a number of times. They and Led Zep and Dire Straits drove my own guitar influences. Thanks for putting this together.
Thanks ever so much George! Wow, amazing that you've met Chrissie and the band!
Great song. I've been learning the drums for several years and I never tire of playing along to this song. It always feels fresh.
Thanks ever so much G-Man! Rock on!
I simply love Chrissie's voice and attitude.
Me too! She’s absolutely amazing!!
Nice breakdown and analysis. I loved the first Pretender albums with James Honeyman-Scott, he was such an amazing and inventive player. He never seemed preoccupied with speed or technical playing, he was focusing on sound, which is an appropriate focus. Focusing this way helped integrate what his fingers were doing with the tone of the guitar, and then feed that into the genre of music they were writing into and re-creating. Just incredible work. I still find his guitar work wonderfully listenable after all of these years. We lost a great artist way too early.
I didn't realize how much I really liked The Pretenders as a teen until I was older. This reminds of the first years of MTV -- they played this video a lot, and "Talk Of The Town",...man, what a great song.
Yes, great times Billy!!
We’ll die loving it, won’t we?!!
A few years ago, I saw them in a festival in France. I had plenty of time that night and I waited next to the tour buses to meet another band... Somehow I started to talk around to a man who I noticed was French, because of his accent. He was Pretenders' drumtech. And boom, I remember climbing up in the Pretenders' crew tourbus and I had a beer with them all. I was only 19 or 20 at that time and I was shaking on my legs as I walked through to the end of the bus. I was sitting in a tourbus with a band's crew ! What a night... Absolutely incredible. Thank you Warren for this episode !
So few TH-cam channels talk about the Pretenders. Such a great band. The debut album is so good it's easy to forget how great the next two were.
Yes, In love the first three albums! All masterpieces!
Love this series Warren! I'm 59 so I grew up listening to all this stuff, I was in High School when Brass in Pocket came out, later played it in cover bands,(Im a bass player, guitar Producer)..keep up the good work,
This is easily the best series on TH-cam at the moment. Each video gets better and better. Great choice of songs and great to have a producer and musicians insight into the technical aspects of the songs
Wow! Thanks ever so much Brenco Guitars! That means so much!!
I can really see your love for music education in this series. I think you truly are a teacher at heart, Warren.
Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much Randy!!
Class is always in session!
I love this song. As a bass player, I'm instantly drawn to the bass line. The tone is sublime and the groove in the verse is so good and it swings wonderfully. As you say, the guitar is also fantastic with that beautiful jangling sound and the brilliant choice of chords that are left to ring out. Thanks for the video.
Love the song and love the band!!! Martin Chambers = great drummer.
Thanks ever so much Marco!
I still listen to this first LP I bought when it came out (yes I'm that old...), full of great songs. Her voice...magic. "Tattooed love boys" with its odd time signature.. Brilliant!
Yes, the first album is a masterpiece Christophe!
This series of reviews are exceptionally awesome, Warren. You "hit the note" on every single video! It´s a magically and tastefully kind of form to learn the history of modern music!
Thanks ever so much Raul! That means a lot my friend! I'm glad to be able to help!
Timeless song from a timeless record by a great band. Chrissie Hynde is an absolute treasure.
Agreed 100%!!
Thanks for highlighting this amazing band and song Warren. Pete was one of my biggest bass influences in the Early 80's.
Agreed, such a wonderful Bass Player!
Also got such a great tone. Really miss records where the bass and guitar didn’t compete but gave such a great sound together.
I remember when this song came out. I was really young at the time, but it stuck with me. Between The Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, and Blondie, my first three childhood celebrity crushes were amazing.
I had a black and white photo on my wall of Chrissie in t-shirt and jeans playing a Telecaster . I was young enough to think girls were dumb before seeing The Pretenders miming to this on Top Of The Pops !
Hi John, absolutely! I was a huge Chrissie fan and pop course Debbie Harry!
Brilliant analysis! One of my favorite debut albums - James Honeyman-Scott was so great! Thanks for covering this great tune...
Thanks ever so much!
Great song I was on the road moving from one gig to the next at night when I heard this come on the radio great tune a lot you can work with harmonically and rhythmically fun to play and sing great song thanks Warren
100% agreed top 10 for sure. The players the groove, Chris Thomas and Bill price what a team! From the sheen of the guitars to the punch of the groove, The entire LP fires on all cylinders. Great vid Warren 🎸🥁🎤👍🏻
YES!! Bill Price, what an amazing engineer!
This series is growing at unexpectedly fast pace. Another one in a collection, which helps us learn more about the classics.
Thanks ever so much Michal!
The song is inbtwn Rock, R&B, and almost Blues sounding. I've loved it for decades, and never bothered my mind about where it fits in music genre . . I advise to just love the cool laid back groove of it and clear your head for a few minutes.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
I'm so glad you did this song!!! It is so underrated these days!
Thanks ever so much Oscar!
A woman travels from the U.S. Midwest to find out what is going on in the U.K.
Works odd jobs until she ends up as a music journalist and meets the early pioneers of punk.
And then she becomes a rock star...
What a story!
Thank you for this one!
Thanks ever so much!! Yes, great story!!
She went to Britain because she wasn't getting anywhere in the US, I saw her in a interview telling how she had no place to live and she Road the subway back and forth all night,
I always liked the Pretenders but it's only been in the last few years that I decided I really loved them and realized how good they are, especially that first album. JHS's chorus sound reminds me of what some others were doing around that time, in particular Andy Summers of the Police, but his style is unique. Pete Farndon was a solid bassist with a great tone and a great attitude that fit the band perfectly, and of course what can you say about Martin Chambers, always a great drummer and back with the band today. Chrissie's voice and image were always so seductive and she managed to survive in a nasty industry where a pretty girl is always in danger of being exploited. The Pretenders have always been and still are her band.
For me this videos could come out every day haha absolutely love it! The CE-2 rocks!
You're very kind my friend!
A fantastic landmark song and an excellent video! Thanks Warren, Eric and anyone else involved. I really liked the video editing and transitions. Very cool!
Thanks ever so much Kelly!
The first PiL single "Public Image." The sound of Jah Wobble's deep reggae style bass with Keith Levene's slashing guitar (with plenty of chorus) and Lydon's vocal delivery sounded unlike anything I'd heard up until that point in time and still one of my favourite tunes. I remember the 1st issue of the single had a cover that was a like a newspaper folded around the sleeve. Love this video Warren, the added info tells a great story as to what was happening at the time and how it happened, your knowledge is encyclopedic, more of this please.
I hear you! I felt the same way! Just amazing music! PiL was a breath of fresh air! Thanks ever so much for your kind words!
Ha! That's funny I was just thinking about PiLs first single. Wobble's bass and Levene's excellent guitar sound are amazingly distinctive. That song is in my top 5 personal favs.
You have a great taste in music, what a joy! Thanks so much Warren
Another fantastic episode, a brilliant choice of song and a great band/producer combination...thanks Warren 😁👍🏼
Thanks ever so much Andrew!
I remember the first time I saw the video on MTV. It was like 1982. It brings back memories now.
This is such a brilliant video. Thanks, Warren!
Aw shucks! Thanks ever so much!
Another cracking choice. Thanks for breaking down the guitar/bass relationship, really helps to understand what makes the song tick
Hi Richard! Glad you liked it! Thanks ever so much!
Oh man, I loved Chrissie Hynde back in the 80s, she was kind of like if Pat Benatar drank beer instead of expensive mixed drinks. Back on the Chain Gang one of my favs of all time
Absolutely! I think every British man of a certain age was in love with her at some stage! Haha So talented and such a bad ass!
Great description. Pop, rock, motown all in one. So many of their songs have that alternating instrument blend - Mystery Achievement
Thanks ever so much
Can’t wait to watch after work!
Thanks ever so much Brian!
Always loved Chrissie and the Pretenders, but never cared for this tune one way or the other. I thought it was boring when it was first released. Certainly appreciate the insightful analysis. I'll take Mystery Achievement any day.
Warren, I love that your doing this stuff!
Thanks for your desire to share your wisdom. It's very encouraging and empowering.
I dont think you've made a vid I havent watched lol. nothing beats being able to be a an intern under someone with experience but since the music industry is changing as it is, it's great to have this resource.
Wow!! Thanks ever so much Matthew!!! You Rock!
Loving this series but particularly this song. 15 yr old me still sings along everytime.
I hear you Keith! I love Chrissie Hynde and this album is so amazing!
Those were the days. Love this song.
Thanks ever so much!!
Thank you Warren! I have been addicted to your channel for the past 6 months as I am finding new passion in writing and producing my own songs. I love the early 80s British music and would love to see you cover Talk Talk - It’s My Life
Wow! Thanks ever so much Robert! That's very kind of you! I'm so glad to be able to help!
Fantastic. Always thrilled to see someone dig into the Pretenders and JHS. In re: to the chorus effect on the track, JHS said in a 1981 interview that it was one of the original Clone Theories.
Oh wow! So I got it right! I guessed it might be but I didn't know for sure!!
@@Producelikeapro Those EHX modulation units have a really special quality imo where they sound nice and swirly without any reverb or delay, which I've always felt like the Boss units need to sound their best. Fwiw JHS moved on to the CE2 later and had Pete Cornish build a CE1 into his final boards too.
@@SteveJamsEcono I have a Chorus Ensemble as well, however I think I prefer the Clone Theory!
The only reason I wanted a chorus pedal when I took up guitar in the 80's ! Although mine is a DOD FX65 Stereo Chorus.
@@shaunw9270 Also a nice one! The DOD Super Stereo Chorus is the sound on all those Cranberries records.
Oh this song! Back then in my 20's, living in Camden and in a new wave band. Life was very heaven and this was my strutting song!
Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
This series of is EXCELLENT! Can't wait for new videos. Please do Blondie - Union City Blue.
... or 'Heart Of Glass' :-)
I agree . Union City Blue is criminally overlooked .
Thanks ever so much! Yes, marvellous idea Bostjan!
Many, many great songs!
Yes, indeed Shaun!
Ohhhhhj, one of my favourite ever songs! Loved the way it was recorded and produced!
Thanks ever so much! Agreed! Masterpiece!
One of the highlights of the movie Lost in Translation
Thanks ever so much for sharing
I remember reading in Guitar Player magazine interview JHS used an Electro Harmonix Clone Theory to get that chorus sound and later got a Boss CE-1. He also used a Boss OD-1 overdrive and Boss CS-1 compressor.
Really loving this series! Thanks! And yes, one of THE greatest records of all time!! Is there anything that kicks your ass more than 'Precious' or 'Tattooed Love Boys!!!!!?'
Thanks ever so much Bill!
Thank you for sharing some great music out there!
I've been born in 1985 and some music just passed me by, especially taking into consideration living in another country. It's also exciting to learn the background of #1 hits: how it started, who was involved and how it went all together - it' makes a story special!
RIP, Jimmie. Loved his playing. So inspirational and a big influence on me. - chaz
Agreed, amazing guitarist!
Yes indeed!
This LP came out when I was 13 and I'm sure it changed my life. How lucky am I?
Very lucky indeed!
Certainly one of the best debut albums. The Cars' debut one of the other ones. Love The Pretenders (album) just as much today as I did when I bought it back then.
Love The Cars, too! One reason being Elliot Easton's amazing guitar work :-)
@@mightyV444 On that album, especially. Elliot Easton is great.
Turning back to The Pretenders, Honeyman-Scott was the man.
@@rhsilverberg - I agree. Their later material wasn't bad, but it sure wasn't the same without him.
Yes, hugely influential debut album!!
@@mightyV444 Elliot is an amazing guitarist!
Thanks for reminding us of these great songs!
Your very welcome Ari!
Not only did Brass in Pocket catch my ear, but nearly every cover band with a female singer in my area of Pennsylvania performed it, including more than a few country bands.
Great to hear Tim! Thanks ever so much!
That’s so cool... all those covers floating around in your town! Good times.
I only knew it as the, "I'm special," song.
I had no idea that was the song being talked about until I gave it a listen after watching this video.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
Awesome as always!
Hi Aaron! Thanks ever so much!
All I listened to for the most part in that era was Soul music, Jazz, and Jazz Funk. But this song turned my head to listen to that radio every time it came on. Its one of my very favorites even to this day. I never get bored of it no matter how many times I hear it. My number 2 which had me running to the t.v. to watch was 'Going Underground' by the Jam. Amazing. and Number 3 of this period: (Although I absolutely loathed that 'Romantic' genre, I think they call it) Soft Cell's rendition of 'Tainted Love.' Brass in Pocket will always be one of my very favorites.
I remember when I first heard Brass in Pocket, I was working as a DJ at the campus radio station at the University of Toledo and everybody was talking about this incredible new singer and comparing her to all the legendary singers of the time and how she was like or different from them. We were all amazed and we didn't know then that she was from the other side of the state but we were all in agreement that this woman was something special and we were looking forward to hearing more from her. She was insecure and hated her own voice? it's such a shame she couldn't have heard the conversations about her to know the impact that she was having, both the song and the singer changed music. about the only other female singer that I can think of that has blown me away since is Adele
Agreed 100%! Thanks ever so much! Hugely influential band with an incredible singer!
Trust your ears! Warren, thanks for the time and effort you put in to help us all. Enjoy the journey.
Thanks ever so much!!
Thanks for those insights. That first album is truly magnificent and a perfect vehicle for Chrissie Hynde's voice. She has a sort of emotional rawness that allows her to switch from rock chick growl to aching hurt in a beat. The variety of songwriting on the album highlights that, and Chris Thomas' production allows it to just sit right on that edge when another producer might have tried to force it into a neater box.
Finally! I do think JHS was a great guitarist, and I seemed to be one of very few people thinking on Pretenders II he is better (mainly more lyrical). Great video!
Agreed! Once they had that success he got even better! So tragic that is his life was ended so tragically short!
I think the main reason that song had stuck out to me back then was the guitar sounding like Andy Summers', one of my guitar heroes. Both him and Honeyman-Scott also played Hamer guitars around that time, which I like a lot, just like the scene with Scarlett Johansson singing 'Brass In Pocket' at a Karaoke in the 'Lost In Translation' movie. Great atmospheric song! Thank you for the video, Warren! :-) PS: I was in front of the TV on the evening that 'Musikladen' episode was aired, of which a bit can be seen in this video :-)
First two Pretenders albums are best examples of ‘band charisma’ ..... ahh so many levels of cool
agreed 100%!!
Love playing this on bass such a meaty tone, and love all the little fills
Eddie Cochran summertime blues one of the best produced rock&roll tracks ever
Yes it was Mervyn!
Eddie and Buddy were the two most advanced rockers of the 50s. If they had lived 60s rock music would have happened a lot earlier than it did.
When I was in the Marines. I spent a lot of time at sea. Chrissy would put me to sleep. With I go to sleep. I wore out that cassette tape. I'll always love the Pretenders.
Rock on !.
Thanks ever so much for sharing
Great tune, great band. Losing Pete and James so early was such a loss.
Agreed, huge loss! So talented!
Another great choice, Warren. Chrissie Hynde is one of my all-time favourite female vocalists. And James Honeyman-Scott’s unique guitar lines were a breath of fresh air.
Agreed 100% Larry!!
As far as a song that changed music, I would have to say Marquee Moon by Television. It didn't launch Television into stardom, but it seemed to inspire so many bands that achieved stardom both in the CBGBs during its heyday (Blondie, Talking Heads) and the New York garage revival in the 2000s (Interpol, The Strokes).
I’d say that the best UK guitar band of the early 80s, Echo and the Bunnymen were heavily influenced too. I know the interlocking Fender parts had a big influence on the way I approached guitar - not distorted and avoiding hoary old blues riffs.
Really cool to hear the difference between the demo and the final track. HUGE difference. Wow.
Agreed 100%!
Ah, reminds me of my first love. So long ago.
Aha! I hear you and concur!
Chrissie, what an incredible, courageous woman!
The best!!
A key improvement from the demo was tuning the bass E to D.
Excellent episode. I agree with everything said here. Thanks for providing us with this gem.
Thanks ever so much Burak!!