By Johnny Cole
The Pretenders was formed in 1978 by Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott (who died in 1982), Peter Farndon (who died in 1983), and Martin Chambers.
Here is my list of 160 favorite singles and album tracks by Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders between 1979 and 2023 (Chrissie Hynde’s solo work is also included):
Top Photo: The original Pretenders lineup (from left): Pete Farndon (bass guitar, backing vocals), founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), and Martin Chambers (drums, backing vocals, percussion). Following the deaths of Honeyman-Scott in 1982 and Farndon in 1983, the band has experienced numerous personnel changes; Hynde has been the only consistent member. The original lineup were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005; The above photo: “Pretenders’ albums 1979-1996” Pretenders (1979), Pretenders II (1981), Learning to Crawl (1984), Get Close (1986), The Singles (1987), Packed! (1990), Last of the Independents (1994), and The Isle of View (1995)
*All songs written by Chrissie Hynde, except where noted.
● 1. “Back on the Chain Gang” (the 1982 single was the first release for the Pretenders following the death of founding bandmember James Honeyman-Scott; originally appears on The King of Comedy soundtrack in 1983 and was later included on Learning to Crawl in 1984) *The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 in October of 1982, eventually reaching #5 on the chart, becoming the band’s biggest hit in the U.S.
● 2. “Brass in Pocket” (Pretenders, 1979) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Honeyman-Scott; the single went to #1 in the UK and was the band’s first Top 40 hit in the U.S.
● 3. “My City is Gone,” aka “Ohio Song” (originally released as the B-side to “Back on the Chain Gang” in 1982, and later charted on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart in the U.S.; appears on Learning to Crawl in 1984)
● 4. “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” (Learning to Crawl, 1984) *written by Richard Poindexter, Robert Poindexter, and Jackie Members (Robert’s wife); originally released in 1971 by the New York City-based R&B vocal group The Persuaders.
● 5. “Middle of the Road” (Learning to Crawl, 1984)
● 6. “I’ll Stand by You” (Last of the Independents, 1994) *written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 7. “2000 Miles” (Learning to Crawl, 1984)
● 8. “Show Me” (Learning to Crawl, 1984)
● 9. “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (Get Close, 1986)
● 10. “Message of Love” (Pretenders II, 1981)
● 11. “Angel in the Morning” – Chrissie Hynde (solo) (Friends – Music from the TV Series by various artists, 1995) *written by Chip Taylor; originally recorded by Evie Sands in 1967. Chrissie Hynde performed this song on the popular TV sitcom Friends. Hynde also co-wrote the comical “Smelly Cat” made famous on Friends by Phoebe Buffay (played by Lisa Kudrow).
● 12. “Time the Avenger” (Learning to Crawl, 1984)
● 13. “I Wish You Love” (Eye of the Beholder soundrack by various artists, 1999) *based on the popular French song, “Que reste-t-il de nos amours?” with French lyrics by Charles Trenet. English lyrics were written by Albert Beach.
● 14. “Creep” (Pirate Radio box set, 2006) *written by Colin Greenwood, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, Philip Selway, Thom Yorke, Albert Hammond, and Mike Hazlewood; originally released by Radiohead in 1992.
● 15. “My Baby” (Get Close, 1986)
● 16. “I Got You Babe” – UB40 with Chrissie Hynde (Baggariddim by UB40, 1985) *written by Sonny Bono and originally recorded by him and Cher in 1965.
● 17. “Kid” (Pretenders, 1979)
● 18. “Luck Be a Lady” – Frank Sinatra and Chrissie Hynde (Duets II by Frank Sinatra, 1995) *written by Frank Loesser and originally recorded by Robert Alda, father of Alan Alda, in 1950.
● 19. “Love’s a Mystery” (Break Up the Concrete, 2008)
● 20. “Stop Your Sobbing” (Pretenders, 1979) *written by Ray Davies and originally released by him and The Kinks in 1964.
● 21. “Hymn to Her” (Get Close, 1986) *written by Meg Keene
● 22. “Both Sides of Goodbye” – Pretenders with Willie Nelson (Break Up the Concrete “bonus track”, 2008) *written by Jackson Leap and Kim Williams
● 23. “Talk of the Town” (Pretenders II, 1981)
● 24. “Thumbelina” (Learning to Crawl, 1984)
● 25. “Everyday is Like Sunday” (Boys on the Side soundtrack by various artists, 1995) *written by Morrissey and Stephen Street; originally recorded by Morrissey in 1988.
● 26. “Loving You is All I Know” (The Other Sister soundtrack by various artists, 1999) *written by Diane Warren
● 27. “I Think About You Daily” (Relentless, 2023) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 28. “Goin’ Back” (Fever Pitch – Music and Moments from The Film soundtrack by various artists, 1997) *written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
● 29. “I Go to Sleep” Pretenders II, 1981) *written by The Kinks’ Ray Davies
● 30. “If There Was a Man” (The Living Daylights soundtrack by various artists, 1987) *written by Chrissie Hynde and John Barry
● 31. “Don’t Fall Apart on Me Tonight” – Chrissie Hynde (solo) (Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan by Chrissie Hynde, 2021) *written by Bob Dylan
● 32. “Sense of Purpose” (Packed!, 1990)
● 33. “977” (Last of the Independents, 1994) *written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 34. “In the Sticks” (Pretenders II: Deluxe Edition, 2021) *written by Martin Chambers
● 35. “Down the Wrong Way” – Chrissie Hynde with Neil Young (Stockholm by Chrissie Hynde, 2014) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Björn Yttling
● 36. “Sweetheart Like You” – Chrissie Hynde (solo)(Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan by Chrissie Hynde, 2021) *written by Bob Dylan
● 37. “Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours?” – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (Valve Bone Woe by Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, 2019) *a popular French song, with music by Léo Chauliac and Charles Trenet and lyrics by Charles Trenet. A version of the song with English lyrics entitled “I Wish You Love” appears at #13 on this list.
● 38. “I Put a Spell on You” – Shane MacGowan & Friends ft. Chrissie Hynde, Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, Eliza Doolittle, Glen Matlock, Laura White, Paloma Faith, Cait O’Riordan, and The Clash’s Mick Jones (a single released to raise money and awareness for Earthquake relief in Haiti, 2010) *written Jay Hawkins and Herb Slotkin; originally recorded by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in 1956.
● 39. “You Don’t Know What Love Is” – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (Valve Bone Woe by Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, 2019) *written by Gene de Paul and Don Raye
● 40. “I’m Not in Love” (Indecent Proposal soundtrack by various artists, 1993) *written by Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman; originally released by 10CC in 1975.
● 41. “Death is Not Enough” (Alone, 2016) *written by Marek Rymaszewski
● 42. “Bless You” (Instant Karma 2002 – A Tribute to John Lennon by various artists, 2002) *written by John Lennon
● 43. “The Needle and the Damage Done” (Pirate Radio box set, 2006) *written by Neil Young
● 44. “Get Out of London” (The Wild Thornberrys Movie soundtrack by various artists, 2002) *written by Simon Fellows and Simon Gillham
● 45. “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” (Pretenders II: Deluxe Edition, 2021) *written by Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, and Carl Smith; originally recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1967.
● 46. “Swinging London” (Pretenders: Reissued – Bonus Disc, 2006) *written by Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon, and Martin Chambers
● 47. “She” – Pretenders with Emmylou Harris (Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons by various artists, 1999) *written by Gram Parsons and Chris Ethridge
● 48. “Saving Grace” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 49. “Day After Day” (Pretenders II, 1981)
● 50. “Tattooed Love Boys” (Pretenders, 1979)
● 51. “Goodbye” (G.I. Jane soundtrack by various artists, 1997) *written by Steve Earle
● 52. “Don’t Lose Faith In Me” (Break Up the Concrete, 2008)
● 53. “Criminal” (recorded live at Pebble Mill at One, Nov. 28, 1995; appears on Pirate Radio box set, 2006)
● 54. “Who’s Who” (¡Viva El Amor!, 1999)
● 55. “Forever Young” (Last of the Independents, 1994) *written by Bob Dylan
● 56. “Let the Sun Come In” (Relentless, 2023) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 57. “Revolution (Live)” (The Isle of View, 1995)
● 58. “The Losing” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Adam Seymour
● 59. “The Homecoming” (G.I. Jane soundtrack, 1997)
● 60. “Never Do That” (Packed!, 1990)
● 61. “You Can’t Hurt a Fool” (Hate for Sale, 2020) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 62. “The Adulterous” (Pretenders II, 1981)
● 63. “Space Invader” (Pretenders, 1979) *written by Pete Farndon and James Honeyman-Scott
● 64. “Watching the Clothes” (Learning to Crawl, 1984)
● 65. “Full Moon, Dirty Hearts” – INXS ft. Chrissie Hynde (Full Moon, Dirty Hearts by INXS, 1993) *written by Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence
● 66. “Losing My Sense of Taste” (Relentless, 2023) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 67. “Louie Louie” (Pretenders II, 1981) *an original composition by Chrissie Hynde and not the identically titled and often covered song written by Richard Berry.
● 68. “If You Let Me” – JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys (Fidelity! by JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys, 2010) *written by JP Jones and Chrissie Hynde
● 69. “You or No One” – Chrissie Hynde (solo) (Stockholm by Chrissie Hynde, 2014) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Björn Yttling
● 70. “Breakfast In Bed” – UB40 ft. Chrissie Hynde (UB40 by UB40, 1988) *written by Eddie Hinton and Donnie Fritts; originally recorded by Dusty Springfield in 1969.
● 71. “Chill Factor” (Get Close, 1986)
● 72. “Spiritual High (State of Independence) Part II” – Moodswings ft. Chrissie Hynde (Moodfood by Moodswings,1992) *written by J.F.T. Hood, Jon Anderson, Vangelis, and Grant Showbiz
● 73. “Where Has Everybody Gone?” (The Living Daylights soundtrack, 1987) *written by Chrissie Hynde and John Barry
● 74. “Born for a Purpose” (Tame Yourself, 1991)
● 75. “Break Up the Concrete” (Break Up the Concrete, 2008)
● 76. “California” (Pirate Radio box set, 2006)
● 77. “Mystery Achievement” (Pretenders, 1979)
● 78. “Love Colours” (Last of the Independents, 1994) *written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 79. “I Hurt You” (Learning to Crawl, 1984)
● 80. “What You Gonna Do About It” (Pirate Radio box set, 2006) *written by Brian Potter and Ian Samwell
● 81. “Aria E Memoria (We’ll Be Together)” – Chrissie Hynde with Alessandro Safina (Insieme A Te, 2001) *written by TBD
● 82. “Big Bad Cat” – Chrissie Hynde and Bruce Willis (Rugrats Go Wild soundtrack by various artists, 2003) *written by Mark Mothersbaugh
● 83. “From the Heart Down” (¡Viva El Amor!, 1999) *written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 84. “When Will I See You” (Packed!, 1990) *written by Hynde and Johnny Marr
● 85. “Back Down” (Pirate Radio box set, 2006) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Bernard Butler
● 86. “Fast or Slow (The Law’s the Law)” (Learning to Crawl, 2007 re-release) *written and sung by Martin Chambers
● 87. “Every Mother’s Son” (Last of the Independents, 1994)
● 88. “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 89. “Porcelain” (Extended Play, 1981)
● 90. “Cuban Slide” (Extended Play, 1981) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Honeyman-Scott
● 91. “Birds of Paradise” (Pretenders II, 1981)
● 92. “When I Change My Life” (Get Close, 1986)
● 93. “Don’t Cut Your Hair” (Break Up the Concrete, 2008)
● 94. “Lovers of Today” (Live)” (The Isle of View, 1995)
● 95. “All My Dreams” (Last of the Independents, 1994)
● 96. “Rebel Rock Me” (Last of the Independents, 1994)
● 97. “Love Can Build a Bridge” – Chrissie Hynde, Cher, Neneh Cherry, and Eric Clapton (single, 1995) *written by John Barlow Jarvis, Naomi Judd, and Paul Overstreet
● 98. “Up The Neck” (Pretenders, 1979)
● 99. “Precious” (Pretenders, 1979)
● 100. “The Wait” (Pretenders, 1979; also, Concert for Kampuchea, 1980) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Pete Farndon
● 101. “Fools Must Die” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Hynde and Adam Seymour
● 102. “Human” (¡Viva El Amor!, 1999) *written by Mark McEntee and Shelly Peiken; originally released as “Human on the Inside” by The Divinyls in 1996.
● 103. “Hate for Sale” (Hate for Sale, 2020) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 104. “Bad Boys Get Spanked” (Pretenders II, 1981)
● 105. “Hollywood Perfume” (Last of the Independents, 1994) *written by Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 106. “Windows of the World” (1969 soundtrack, 1988) *written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
● 107. “The English Roses” (Pretenders II, 1981)
● 108. “Tequilla” (full version appears on Pirate Radio box set, 2006) *an original composition by Chrissie Hynde and not the identically titled and popular instrumental hit made famous by The Champs in 1958.
● 109. “Not a Second Time” (Pirate Radio box set, 2006) *written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
● 110. “Bold as Love” (Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix by various artists, 1993) *written by Jimi Hendrix
● 111. “Cry (If You Don’t Mind)” – Jarabe de Palo ft. Chrissie Hynde (Un metro cuadrado -1m² by Jarabe de Palo, 2004) *written by TBD
● 112. “Perfect Lover” – JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys (Fidelity! by JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys, 2010) *written by JP Jones and Chrissie Hynde
● 113. “Wild is the Wind” – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (Valve Bone Woe, by Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, 2019) *written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington
● 114. “Don’t Hang Up” – Ringo Starr ft. Chrissie Hynde (Choose Love by Ringo Starr, 2005) *written by Richard Starkey, Mark Hudson, and Gary Burr
● 115. “Money (That’s What I Want)” (recorded live at the US Festival in May of 1983; appears as a bonus track on the 2007 re-release of Learning to Crawl) *written by Janie Bradford and Berry Gordy, Jr.; originally released as a single by Barrett Strong in 1959.
● 116. “Boots of Chinese Plastic” (Break Up the Concrete, 2008)
● 117. “A Love” (Relentless, 2023) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 118. “Biker” (¡Viva El Amor!, 1999)
● 119. “No Guarantee” (Packed!, 1990)
● 120. “Let’s Get Lost” (Alone, 2016) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Dave McCracken
● 121. “Night in My Veins” (Last of the Independents, 1994) *written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg)
● 122. “Domestic Silence” (Relentless, 2023) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 123. “Didn’t Want to Be This Lonely” (Hate for Sale, 2020) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 124. “Money Talk” (Last of the Independents, 1994) *written by Chrissie Hynde
● 125. “Lie to Me” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Hynde and Adam Seymour
● 126. “Private Life (Live)” (The Isle of View, 1995)
● 127. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (Break Up the Concrete “bonus track”, 2008) *written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss; originally recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961.
● 128. “Turf Accountant Daddy” (Hate for Sale, 2020) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 129. “You Know Who Your Friends Are” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Adam Seymour
● 130. “Popstar” (¡Viva El Amor!, 1999) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Adam Seymour
● 131. “Caroline, No” – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (Valve Bone Woe by Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, 2019) *written by Tony Asher and Brian Wilson
● 132. “Worlds Within Worlds” (Get Close, 1986)
● 133. “I Can’t Control Myself” (Pretenders 2006 reissue “bonus disc”) *written by Reg Presley and originally recorded by him and The Troggs in 1966.
● 134. “How Glad I Am” – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (Valve Bone Woe, by Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, 2019) *written by Larry Harrison and Jimmy Williams
● 135. “Hold a Candle to This” (Get Close “bonus track”, 1986)
● 136. “The Buzz” (Hate for Sale, 2020) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 137. “Don’t Fall Apart on Me Tonight” – Chrissie Hynde (Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan by Chrissie Hynde, 2021) *written by Bob Dylan
● 138. “River Man” – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (Valve Bone Woe by Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, 2019) *written and originally recorded by Nick Drake in 1969.
● 139. “Standing in the Doorway” – Chrissie Hynde (Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan by Chrissie Hynde, 2021) *written by Bob Dylan
● 140. “Junkie Walk” (Hate for Sale, 2020) *written by Chrissie Hynde and James Walbourne
● 141. “Neither Of Us Can See” – Incubus ft. Chrissie Hynde (Stealth soundtrack by various artists) written by Brandon Boyd and Ben Kenney
● 142. “Ramblin’ Rob (Denmark Street Demo 08/1982)” (Learning to Crawl, 1984) *written by Robbie McIntosh
● 143. “No Return” – Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (Valve Bone Woe by Chrissie Hynde with the Valve Bone Woe Ensemble, 2019) *written by Ray Davies
● 144. “Walk Like a Panther” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Richard Barratt, Jason Buckle, Jarvis Cocker, and Dean Honer
● 145. “Legalise Me” (¡Viva El Amor!, 1999) *the word legalize is predominantly used in American English (U.S.), while legalise is predominantly used in British English (UK/AU/NZ).
● 146. “Nails in the Road” (¡Viva El Amor!, 1999) *written by Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly, and Billy Steinberg
● 147. “Complex Person” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Hynde and Adam Seymour
● 148. “Light of the Moon” (Get Close, 1986)
● 149. “Downtown (Akron)” (Packed!, 1990)
● 150. “Tradition of Love” (Get Close, 1986)
● 151. “Holy Commotion” (Alone, 2016)
● 152. “Nothing Maker” (Break Up the Concrete, 2008)
● 153. “Dark Sunglasses” – Chrissie Hynde (solo) (Stockholm by Chrissie Hynde, 2014) *written by Chrissie Hynde and Björn Yttling
● 154. “I Should Of” (Loose Screw, 2002) *written by Hynde and Adam Seymour
● 155. “Reconsider Me” (Pirate Radio box set, 2006) *written by Warren Zevon
● 156. “How Do I Miss You” (Packed!, 1990)
● 157. “Room Full of Mirrors” (Get Close, 1986) *written by Jimi Hendrix
● 158. “Gotta Wait” (Alone, 2016)
● 159. “Time” (Junior Vasquez Remixes)
● 160. “Straight Ahead” – Chrissie Hynde with Tube & Berger (single, 2004) *written by Liz Winstanley, Marko Vidovic, Arndt Rörig, and King Brain
Chrissie Hynde albums: Fidelity by JP, Chrissie & the Fairground Boys (2010), Stockholm (2014), Valve Bone Woe (with The Valve Bone Woe Ensemble (2019), and Standing in the Doorway: Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan (2021).
Click Here for The Pretenders’ official website
Page Designed & Edited by Johnny Cole
Additional editing by Deborah Chatham
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