The Pretenders

The Pretenders stormed to the top of the pops on a string of unforgettable singles, two classic albums and relentless touring only to suffer the tragic loss of two members. Rather than throw in the towel or succumb to the cliché of a solo career for Chrissie Hynde – the band’s singer and songwriter – surviving members Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers resolved to carry on. Rhino revisits The Pretenders’ triumphant second incarnation with reissues of the band’s third and fourth albums expanded with live cuts, alternate versions, demos and previously unreleased tracks. LEARNING TO CRAWL and GET CLOSE will be available June 5 at regular retail outlets for a suggested price of $11.98 each. Both titles will also be available digitally for $10.99 each.
Learning to Crawl (Expanded and Remastered)
With the help of producer Chris Thomas, The Pretenders recorded the single “Back On The Chain Gang,” rebuilt the band – recruiting guitarist Robbie McIntosh and bassist Malcolm Foster – and released LEARNING TO CRAWL in 1984. Both the single and the album proved to be among The Pretenders’ biggest hits to date.

The drum salvo that kicks off “Middle Of The Road,” the album’s opening track, served notice that The Pretenders were back with a vengeance. Inspired by Hynde’s return to her hometown of Akron, Ohio, the hard groove of “My City Was Gone” proved to be as big a radio hit as “Chain Gang.” Though the tough side usually gets the ink in The Pretenders’ music, the tender has always carried equal weight. That tenderness, informed by Hynde’s recent motherhood, radiates on “Show Me.”

The expanded reissue of LEARNING TO CRAWL contains seven bonus tracks including the b-side “Fast Or Slow (The Law’s The Law),” one of Hynde’s earliest songs “Tequila,” an unreleased live version of “My City Was Gone,” plus a pair of unreleased pre-LP demos.

Tracklist
“Middle Of The Road”
“Back On The Chain Gang”
“Time The Avenger”
“Watching The Clothes”
“Show Me”
“Thumbelina”
“My City Was Gone”
“Thin Line Between Love And Hate”
“I Hurt You”
“2000 Miles”
“Fast Or Slow (The Law’s The Law)”
“Tequila”
“I Hurt You” (Denmark Street Demo)
“When I Change My Life” (Denmark Street Demo)
“Ramblin’ Rob” (Denmark Street Demo)*
“My City Was Gone” (Live)*
“Money” (Live)
Get Close (Expanded and Remastered)
Produced by Jimmy Iovine and Bob Clearmountain, GET CLOSE followed two years later. The album’s original 11 tracks were recorded with Hynde and McIntosh backed by a shifting crew of musicians anchored by bassist T.M. Stevens and drummer Blair Cunningham along with Indian violinist Shankar, Elvis Costello bassist Bruce Thomas and former James Brown and David Bowie bandleader Carlos Alomar.

GET CLOSE contains the hit singles “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and the band’s cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Room Full Of Mirrors.” The album veered most dramatically from The Pretenders’ norm with the inclusion of two funk pieces, “Dance!” and “How Much Did You Get For Your Soul?” – the latter a brutal slap down of certain pop superstars’ corporate co-option. Another stylistic experiment produced what may be the album’s highlight – “Hymn To Her.” For the lyrics, Hynde adapted a story written by Meg Keane, a friend from her school days in Akron.

The expanded reissue of GET CLOSE presents six bonus tracks including an alternate take of “Hold A Candle To This,” a guitar-centric remix of “Tradition Of Love,” plus a pair of live tracks recorded in Austin, TX in 1987 featuring “Thumbelina” and an unreleased version of “Don’t Get Me Wrong.”

Tracklist
“Middle Of The Road”
“Back On The Chain Gang”
“Time The Avenger”
“Watching The Clothes”
“Show Me”
“Thumbelina”
“My City Was Gone”
“Thin Line Between Love And Hate”
“I Hurt You”
“2000 Miles”
“Fast Or Slow (The Law’s The Law)”
“Tequila”
“I Hurt You” (Denmark Street Demo)
“When I Change My Life” (Denmark Street Demo)
“Ramblin’ Rob” (Denmark Street Demo)*
“My City Was Gone” (Live)*
“Money” (Live)
Pretenders (Expanded and Remastered)
Released in 1980 and featuring the classic lineup of Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Martin Chambers, and Pete Farndon, the band's raucous debut introduced the timeless tracks "Precious," "Kid," and "Brass In Pocket." A second bonus disc includes outtakes ("Cuban Slide"), BBC sessions ("Mystery Achievement"), and previously unreleased demos and live gems. An extensive booklet contains additional photos and new liner notes by James McNair.
Pretenders II (Expanded and Remastered)
Released in 1981 and featuring the classic lineup of Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Martin Chambers, and Pete Farndon, the band's sophomore release delivered the hit single "The Adultress," as well as signature tracks "Message Of Love" and "Talk Of The Town." A second bonus disc includes previously unreleased demos ("Talk Of The Town"), outtakes ("I Go To Sleep," "Pack It Up"), and 13 tracks recorded live in 1981 at the Santa Monica Civic Center.
Check out The Pretenders E-Card!
Pirate Radio
Their first-ever boxed set features over five hours of career-spanning music on four CDs. Also includes a DVD with never-before-released performances from 1979-1995. Packaging includes a specially commissioned poster by Clay S. Wilson.
Text Pretenders to 74466 for Official Pretenders Ringtones! *
You can also get Pretenders ringtones online. Click Here!

*This is a la carte, transactional service. No recurring subscription charges are involved. Each ringtone costs $2.49. No Credit Card Required - users will be charged on their wireless bill or be deducted from prepaid minutes. Standard carrier fees may apply. Must be at least 13 years old and have bill payer’s permission. Not all products are compatible with all mobile phones. For more information call 866-528-6192.