what a song, it was deep in my psyche when I was in high school. This is the first time I heard this back story. Quite a sad unfulfilled story for someone, more so to hear it revealed after all this time. so many possibilities in life, we only leave one track through what could have been.
remembering this song used to take my breathe away as a 12yr old listening in friends car as his father drove us to secondary school in the city of melbourne....spencer st 1980 winter 8.15am was faaarkin freezing,but this,this was next level
Arguably (easily) one of the best voices, ever. Whose voice has held up over the years as well as Hynde's? Her's is certainly stellar, nuanced and rich and glass-cutting clarity.
Beautiful version of her classic. Respectfully I don't know how even a handful of folks at a *Pretenders* show would not know that the silent break is not the end of the song and clap. As Chrissie said "see you don't even know the song!..." 😆 Great either way.
I"m not who this song was about. (I'll never be that lucky). But I was a fan back then and something of a crush on Chrissie. Although it wasn't even romantic really. I just loved her songs and admired her as a person. Message Of Love, Brass In Pocket and for some reason especially Talk Of The Town. It felt like my feelings. It was the song I wish my high school crush was playing when she was thinking about me.(Doubtful.) Chrissie was the adult version of my dream girl. Sexy, badass, smart and with a telecaster. But also with heart & empathy. All her songs, even the hard shell ones had a longing & vulnerabilty beneath the surface. I think that's why she connected in a way that other punk/new wave stuff didn't. I waited outside the Ritz here in NYC in 1981 I think, to meet her once. By myself. 18 years old. The show got cancelled because Chambers hurt his hand. I've never heard this story about this song, but knowing that it was written about a young fan like me makes it that much more special. What an amazing woman. Thanks Chrissie.
I am born and raised in Detroit, but every Pretenders song takes me to Ohio. Toledo, Cleveland are always the backdrop to Chrissie's lyrics and music. I'm a Michigan fan, but I love Ohio.( I am also a Toledo MudHens season ticket holder, and proud of it!)
This is amazing. She is certainly a good enough singer but the songwriting craft is DEFINITELY her metier and this unplugged-style performance lets the songs speak for themselves. This is powerful stuff and although I like the original very well I prefer the spare arrangement here which amplifies the emotional overtone of the song.
Hynde, wow ~ she truly is an amazing songwriter. For someone who has no formal training at all, she writes very complex songs. Her lyrics are sheer and full of soul. I am so glad I went to see this band every single tour their first four albums. I bought Pretenders right when it came out, we couldn't believe what we were hearing on the radio, Precious! Most of the time, we heard the unedited version, lol! I was a freshman in high school when their debut album was released ~ she was the best thing to come into the scene for me, as a girl playing electric guitar. In the same moment, I really was put off by Bangels and the Go Go's ~ hideous bands, and they did not empower women as serious musicians. If anything, those bee boppers really set themselves apart as nothing but pretty girls, like The Monkees were really just cute boys in in a executive-created band. I was just learning to play guitar in the late 70's. Wilson was the first I learned to admire deeply, but then Hynde came around ~ adding some punk style and in your face attitude to the rock and roll scene of the day. Those two were definitely my guitar hero's ~ proud to reminisce on those times and memories listening to their music, too!
When they started clapping, I said, "hang on, the song's not over!" I was half afraid she was going to stop it there for a split second, and then she says, "See, you guys don't even know the song!" God bless Chrissie .. she hasn't changed. My personal idol since 1983. :-) So, is the song supposed to be written from the point-of-view of the kid in the snow, then, about Chrissie? I always assumed it was Chrissie mooning over some guy. That kind of puts a different spin on the song ... now, after 36 years of listening to it one way, I'm going to be listening to it slightly differently ... and wondering! So glad I ran across this. This is one of my all-time favorite Pretenders songs ... I loved the original video, which I think was from Top of the Pops. Loved Jimmy playing that silver Gibson! Funny, because come to think of it, that video always showed him playing that B-C-G riff that she says she "didn't have any help with" ... thus, I always assumed that was part of Jimmy's lead guitar part, not Chrissie's rhythm guitar?
I loved the original when it was first released, just like "Message of Love". This is great and has many memories attached. But 2 of the band died from drugs.A sad end but a pleasure to hear it again acoustically ...
She wrote poetry in motion. How ironic that she mentions a "Beatles chord" in this one, and George Harrison, in another rare video of him working in the studio post-Beatles, plays a cord and says "Nobody copped that chord except The Pretenders in 'Chain Gang'" (and plays the chord). He says he doesn't know what it's called but "It's an E7 with an F on top."
I love love love how she "checks the audience" about not knowing the song . I am a devout fan so I knew and was surprised at how many clapped at the break... Oh well, fantastic that she called them on in and moved on🤩🧑🎤(2:57) respect
Always have been a big Pretenders fan... just wanted to let folks know that in other interviews, she has acknowledged that Jimmy Scott was her right-hand man, that they were both equally responsible for developing the Pretenders 'sound'.. so she has publicly recognized him as being more than 'her guitar player at the time', as she says in the intro
It's true, Jimmy pretty much created the Pretenders' trademark jangly guitar sound. Chrissie wrote in her autobiography that (paraphrasing) her songs were nothing special until Jimmy gave them life ... if he hadn't died at 25, I truly believe that Jimmy Honeyman-Scott would have gone on to become one of rock's great guitar masters. All he really cared about were guitars.
No doubt she had plenty to say to the local radio and record retailers after the gig like "how often you are playing the record" and "tell Billboard that you're selling more than you actually are so the records goes higher on the charts..".
what a song, it was deep in my psyche when I was in high school. This is the first time I heard this back story. Quite a sad unfulfilled story for someone, more so to hear it revealed after all this time. so many possibilities in life, we only leave one track through what could have been.
Chrissie's voice cuts glass. She's a true original and beautiful soul. Live the Pretenders!
+KrupaDrums Yes she is. She's all that AND a total badass!
Absolutely brilliant. Chrissie Hynde is my favorite, favorite female voice, song writer, guitarist. Hall of Fame.
Me too! I saw her first in 1981 with a friend and her brother. We were both going off to college the next day. Seen her 4 more times.
Best song EVER!
What a beautiful on Awesome song writer
remembering this song used to take my breathe away as a 12yr old listening in friends car as his father drove us to secondary school in the city of melbourne....spencer st 1980 winter 8.15am was faaarkin freezing,but this,this was next level
There were MANY of us who stood in the snow to adore you, Chrissie and we still do...
Arguably (easily) one of the best voices, ever. Whose voice has held up over the years as well as Hynde's? Her's is certainly stellar, nuanced and rich and glass-cutting clarity.
She’s Just is and has always been the coolest shit around ❤
This will always be my favorite Pretenders song. I like this version :-).
Sad I'm just finding this. Damn she is a treasure and why wasn't this song a no 1 hit?
My favourite Pretenders song - was surprised some in the audience didn't know it - they used to play it on stage quite a lot.
Me too. Takes me back to a very different time.
Beautiful version of her classic.
Respectfully I don't know how even a handful of folks at a *Pretenders* show would not know that the silent break is not the end of the song and clap. As Chrissie said "see you don't even know the song!..." 😆 Great either way.
I"m not who this song was about. (I'll never be that lucky). But I was a fan back then and something of a crush on Chrissie. Although it wasn't even romantic really. I just loved her songs and admired her as a person. Message Of Love, Brass In Pocket and for some reason especially Talk Of The Town. It felt like my feelings. It was the song I wish my high school crush was playing when she was thinking about me.(Doubtful.) Chrissie was the adult version of my dream girl. Sexy, badass, smart and with a telecaster. But also with heart & empathy. All her songs, even the hard shell ones had a longing & vulnerabilty beneath the surface. I think that's why she connected in a way that other punk/new wave stuff didn't.
I waited outside the Ritz here in NYC in 1981 I think, to meet her once. By myself. 18 years old. The show got cancelled because Chambers hurt his hand. I've never heard this story about this song, but knowing that it was written about a young fan like me makes it that much more special. What an amazing woman. Thanks Chrissie.
her voice hasn't aged AT ALL.
She has such an awesome voice -
Always loved this song from the moment I first heard it all those years ago.
Even now, this vibrato when she sing "...the tooown...", this is when I start to cry.
19 years old in my Silverado.Arlington Tx. Bought the CD. This song came on and it was awesome ❤️ thank you pretenders.
Forget Madonna, Gaga, And Swift. Wow! Now THAT is a VOICE that can make me CRY!
I am born and raised in Detroit, but every Pretenders song takes me to Ohio. Toledo, Cleveland are always the backdrop to Chrissie's lyrics and music. I'm a Michigan fan, but I love Ohio.( I am also a Toledo MudHens season ticket holder, and proud of it!)
Brillant songwriting top of class
the epitome of style, finesse and class
Perfectly stated
One of the great opening lines to a song.
thousand years from now She'll still be the Talk of The Town
unreal .....her voice never changes
Love you Chrissie. You were Fantastic at the Wiltern. 🎸🎶
What a fabulous singer and songwriter. This acoustic version showcases the song’s poignant lyric. Great stuff
excellent song
Even live, her voice!! I always wondered what influenced that song. Thank you for playing that on my birthday!
Timeless song, so cool the meaning of this song.... so many memories, late night MTV!!!...
I just fell in love with Chrissie all over again
This is amazing. She is certainly a good enough singer but the songwriting craft is DEFINITELY her metier and this unplugged-style performance lets the songs speak for themselves. This is powerful stuff and although I like the original very well I prefer the spare arrangement here which amplifies the emotional overtone of the song.
An original voice and talent--love love love.
Hynde, wow ~ she truly is an amazing songwriter. For someone who has no formal training at all, she writes very complex songs. Her lyrics are sheer and full of soul.
I am so glad I went to see this band every single tour their first four albums. I bought Pretenders right when it came out, we couldn't believe what we were hearing on the radio, Precious! Most of the time, we heard the unedited version, lol! I was a freshman in high school when their debut album was released ~ she was the best thing to come into the scene for me, as a girl playing electric guitar.
In the same moment, I really was put off by Bangels and the Go Go's ~ hideous bands, and they did not empower women as serious musicians. If anything, those bee boppers really set themselves apart as nothing but pretty girls, like The Monkees were really just cute boys in in a executive-created band.
I was just learning to play guitar in the late 70's. Wilson was the first I learned to admire deeply, but then Hynde came around ~ adding some punk style and in your face attitude to the rock and roll scene of the day.
Those two were definitely my guitar hero's ~ proud to reminisce on those times and memories listening to their music, too!
She is my hero she lives the life I want. ROCK STAR GIRL!
always loved this song....now i hear it acoustic love it even more!!!!
Adore Chrissie, none other like Chrissie.
We are all the kid in the snow
Brilliant Rob.
When they started clapping, I said, "hang on, the song's not over!" I was half afraid she was going to stop it there for a split second, and then she says, "See, you guys don't even know the song!" God bless Chrissie .. she hasn't changed. My personal idol since 1983. :-)
So, is the song supposed to be written from the point-of-view of the kid in the snow, then, about Chrissie? I always assumed it was Chrissie mooning over some guy. That kind of puts a different spin on the song ... now, after 36 years of listening to it one way, I'm going to be listening to it slightly differently ... and wondering!
So glad I ran across this. This is one of my all-time favorite Pretenders songs ... I loved the original video, which I think was from Top of the Pops. Loved Jimmy playing that silver Gibson! Funny, because come to think of it, that video always showed him playing that B-C-G riff that she says she "didn't have any help with" ... thus, I always assumed that was part of Jimmy's lead guitar part, not Chrissie's rhythm guitar?
This has to be one of the most catchy songs ever created. Probably in my top 10 of all time!
oh my heart, it's breaking, it's joyful and breaking!!❤
La Gran Dama de La Música 🎼🎵🎶. La adoramos ❤️
Always a favorite! Fantastic voice!
I loved the original when it was first released, just like "Message of Love". This is great and has many memories attached. But 2 of the band died from drugs.A sad end but a pleasure to hear it again acoustically ...
Such a beautiful voice and so down to earth....my favorite female musician and not sure there is a close second.
Outstanding!So classic!
She wrote poetry in motion.
How ironic that she mentions a "Beatles chord" in this one, and George Harrison, in another rare video of him working in the studio post-Beatles, plays a cord and says "Nobody copped that chord except The Pretenders in 'Chain Gang'" (and plays the chord). He says he doesn't know what it's called but "It's an E7 with an F on top."
that chord is very rare in post-Beatles pop/rock, but it’s in most if not all Birthday Party songs and many by Blonde Redhead
The chick’s cool. Can’t deny it.
Her voice on this show was as good as ever.
It’s got to be the world’s sexiest song.
So beautiful.... my favorite song from her. She's perfect in every way. Her voice.... just beautiful! Thank you for sharing ❤💓
The voice of a sultry, beautiful, sexy angel. Great lyrics too.
Wow what a story and song. Thank you the Pretenders.🌹🌹🌹
Spellbound by that voice, even without the appealing clanging Les Paul of the studio version.
Wonderful. Love this band and this song. Pretenders forever.
I'm not a big Pretenders fan but love this song.
Thanks for posting this. I had it on VHS, but it was starting to fade. Great song, great performance.
phrasing and slow vibrato unmistakeable
What a wonderful woman and a gifted musician and the story make it more wonderful ❤️
how do they not know this as there is a pause late on, classic track..
A mere 59 years old here gorgeous.
How the heck do a bunch of songwriters NOT know that break in the middle of the song and start clapping?
Beautiful!
,
Such a great song!
terrific songwriter
I love love love how she "checks the audience" about not knowing the song . I am a devout fan so I knew and was surprised at how many clapped at the break... Oh well, fantastic that she called them on in and moved on🤩🧑🎤(2:57) respect
Superbe Chrissie et sa voix magique !!
Imagine Chrissie writing a song for you and you never even knew.
How bloody wonderful were the Pretenders in the early days in particular?
Her voice !
CH!!!! This is Awesome!!! You are Beautiful...
Beautiful voice, fantastic song writing , sexy , and she cares for animals too . why can't everybody be like it ?
you can bet she wears cruelty free eye makeup!!! love her!!
My favorite version
Superb!
Wonderful
I saw them in Glasgow at the Apollo October 1980. Brilliant!
I'll tell you something..... great song writer
Superb as always. 2:37, Nick Cave😀
Great voice
Some of the audience thinking that the song was over. I remember the same thing happening to Sting when performing 'Message in a Bottle'.
She seemed to take it more in good humor than Sting did though.
Always have been a big Pretenders fan... just wanted to let folks know that in other interviews, she has acknowledged that Jimmy Scott was her right-hand man, that they were both equally responsible for developing the Pretenders 'sound'.. so she has publicly recognized him as being more than 'her guitar player at the time', as she says in the intro
she also said that without JHS there would have been no Pretenders..Lord rest Jimmy x
It's true, Jimmy pretty much created the Pretenders' trademark jangly guitar sound. Chrissie wrote in her autobiography that (paraphrasing) her songs were nothing special until Jimmy gave them life ... if he hadn't died at 25, I truly believe that Jimmy Honeyman-Scott would have gone on to become one of rock's great guitar masters. All he really cared about were guitars.
lesson in vocals ~~>
WHAT A WOMAN!!!
Chrissie Hynde 🌹❤️😍🇲🇽
I wonder who that kid was, she, Chrissie Hynde, wrote a song about you.
Yes it is them. This whole concert is really cool, btw.
Her lyrics are what's what. Plus obvious not bad chords.
I was that kid in the snow!
Haha..just kidding.
shes a bitch for even tellin us that fuck her seriously
No doubt she had plenty to say to the local radio and record retailers after the gig like "how often you are playing the record" and "tell Billboard that you're selling more than you actually are so the records goes higher on the charts..".
Butt I was pretending then. I go to sleep and imagine that you are here with me....It only took you one day to come to my rescue 911. Love ya Chris
Wonderfull version, 1966, Amherst OH.
Please be my cousin.
Up in the sky clouds rearrange like the talk of the town
Beautiful woman
Omg to be able to say that Chrissie Hynde thought about you? Yeah that's worth standing in the snow.
Tracey Hutchinson out there. u sang that song back in the day.
Nick Cave on the far right behind piano? ty 4 vid
I think she is talking a bit tongue-in cheek as 'this chord' is a straightforward B7, a common type of passing chord which segues into the main verse
I do!!!
yes it is is and NIck does
West Country Girl at the same event. Check it out!
💗
Good song...a single i think!!!!