Back on the Chain Gang - Pretenders (1982) 6/15/23

In 1982, Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders was going through a tough time. She was pregnant by Ray Davies of the Kinks, and that was straining their relationship to the max. (It didn't survive.) She had to fire bass player Pete Farndon because of his massive drug [problem, and TWO DAYS later, her guitarist, James Honeyman-Scott died of an accidental overdose. All this while trying to get The Pretenders next album, "Learning to Crawl" recorded and produced. She accomplished this with help from the only other Pretender left: drummer Martin Chambers, and a some stellar session musicians. One song in particular was heavily affected by all the drama: Today's Great Song of 1982: "Back on the Chain Gang." The song started out to be about Chrissie and Ray, but then became a tribute to James. It was NOT a happy song, but it was a worldwide hit--and an early MTV staple. It also appeared on the Soundtrack album for the Martin Scorcese film "The King of Comedy," starring Robert Di Niro, Sandra Bernhard, and Jerry Lewis. Chart-wise, it reached #5 on both Canada's Top 40, and on Billboard's Hot 100. As for Chrissie, it was a tough song to sing. She'd get emotional and tear up at almost every concert--especially after Pete Farnon ALSO died of a drug overdose a few months later. Note: In 1995, American Tejano singer Selena Gomez released a Spanish language cover that went to #1 on Billboard's Latin chart. "Back on the Chain Gang" by The Pretenders: born out of tragedy, but a Great Song of 1982 nonetheless. The Pretenders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMOKamtpUA8 Selena: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyitxfvlyzQ Tomorrow: NOT a wedding song!