The Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in Hereford, England, in March 1978. The original band consisted of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chrissie Hynde, lead guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, bass player Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. The Pretenders achieved commercial and critical success with their debut album, Pretenders (1980), which hit #1 in the UK and #14 in the US. The band’s 1980s output saw them gain international success with such singles as “Brass in Pocket”, “Don’t Get Me Wrong”, “Back on the Chain Gang”, and “Middle of the Road”. The band has continued to tour and record, despite the deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon, and a temporary split in the mid-1980s. The Pretenders were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
| Name | Chrissie Hynde |
| Date of Birth | September 7, 1951 |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboards |
| Genre | New Wave, Punk Rock, Pop Rock |
| Years Active | 1978–present |
| Labels | Sire, Reprise, Warner Bros. |
10 Best Pretenders Quotes
1.
“We were like a gang, and the gang has to have its own identity.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Rolling Stone
2.
“When I moved to London, I wanted to be a rock star. It was all very ambitious. I wanted to be a famous person.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Los Angeles Times
3.
“If you don’t stick to your values when they’re being tested, they’re not values: they’re hobbies.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from The Guardian
4.
“I never had a desire to be a star, but I have a desire to be heard.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from The Guardian
5.
“We were a little gang of freaks. We had our own style. We were on a mission.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from The New York Times
6.
“I think this is the best record we’ve ever made.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from The Guardian
7.
“I think this is the best band I’ve ever been in.”
– Martin Chambers, from The Guardian
8.
“We’re a real band. We’re not just a backing band for one person, it’s all of us.”
– Martin Chambers, from The Guardian
9.
“It’s a privilege to be part of a band like this. You’re in good company, and you don’t have to think too much. You just enjoy the ride.”
– James Walbourne, from Guitar World
10.
“We had a real sense of camaraderie and a gang mentality. We were a little gang of misfits and we were all in it together.”
– James Walbourne, from Guitar World
8 Inspirational Pretenders Quotes
“I think the biggest thing I want people to take away from my music is that there is hope and that they can be themselves.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Rolling Stone
“I think the best musical advice I was ever given was to just be yourself and never try to imitate anyone else.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Grammy
“I think the ultimate goal of the Pretenders is to make a connection with people through our music, and to make them feel less alone.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Grammy
“I believe that music should be honest and, ideally, it should mean something to the listener.”
– Martin Chambers, from The Guardian
“I’ve always been a Pretender. I’ve never been a follower of trends.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Rolling Stone
“I see the essence of the Pretenders as being a band that is uncompromising in its music, and one that is constantly evolving.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Grammy
“I believe that music is a powerful force for good, and that it can be life-changing.”
– Martin Chambers, from The Guardian
“The Pretenders are an honest representation of me and my music, and I don’t want to ever let my fans down.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from Grammy
5 Famous Pretenders Quotes
“I think that I’m very lucky in the fact that I’ve had a career in music for so long. I think that’s an amazing thing, and that I’ve been able to do it my way.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from HuffPost
“We’re a real band and we make a real racket.”
– Martin Chambers, from Express & Star
“I think that with the Pretenders, there’s a certain way of performing that’s consistent with the way we started. We’ve been through some changes, but we’re still a rock band.”
– Adam Seymour, from Guitar World
“We’re a real band and we make a real racket.”
– Martin Chambers, from The Telegraph
“I think that there’s something special about the Pretenders that’s kept us going for so long. It’s that we really enjoy playing together and there’s a real chemistry between us.”
– James Walbourne, from Music Radar
5 Pretenders Quotes About Love
“I mean, I love playing music and I love singing, and I love all the people I’ve been able to work with and the places I’ve been able to go. I’m very lucky that I have a job that I love.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from SPIN
“So, I’m still in love with this band, and I still love being in it.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from SPIN
“I still love playing them, and I really love the family that goes with the band.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from SPIN
“I love the idea of a band, and I love the idea of people in a band being really unified and really having a great time on the road.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from SPIN
“I love the music and I love the people I’m playing with and the music that we make.”
– Martin Chambers, from Rolling Stone
7 Pretenders Quotes About Life
“Life is a great adventure. It’s full of surprises.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from The Guardian
“Life is not a rehearsal, so you have to make the most of it.”
– Chrissie Hynde, from The Independent
“Life is a journey, and you have to take it one day at a time.”
– Martin Chambers, from The Guardian
“Life is a strange thing. You never know what’s coming next.”
– Martin Chambers, from The Guardian
“Life is full of ups and downs. You just have to keep your head up.”
– James Walbourne, from The Guardian
“Life is a precious thing, and you have to enjoy it.”
– James Walbourne, from The Guardian
“Life is a rollercoaster, but you just have to go with the flow.”
– Eric Heywood, from The Guardian
7 Quotes About Pretenders
“The Pretenders were so different from the other bands of their time, they were almost like a pop band in leather jackets.”
– John Oates, from Rolling Stone
“The Pretenders are one of the greatest rock bands of all time.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“The Pretenders have always been a band that revels in their own contradictions.”
– Matt Diehl, from Rolling Stone
“The Pretenders were one of the most important bands of the 1980s and had a tremendous influence on the alternative music scene.”
– The Guardian, from The Guardian
“The Pretenders have been a consistent force in rock & roll for decades.”
– NPR Music, from NPR Music
“The Pretenders are one of the most beloved and influential bands of the post-punk era.”
– Pitchfork, from Pitchfork
“The Pretenders have been rocking for over forty years and have released some of the most iconic songs of the rock era.”
– Loudwire, from Loudwire
Interview with Pretenders
Frequently Asked Questions About Pretenders
1. What are some of the most popular Pretenders quotes?
The Pretenders are a British-American rock band that formed in 1978 and have since become one of the most iconic bands of the 80s and 90s. With their unique blend of rock, pop, and punk, the Pretenders have released some truly memorable songs and lyrics. Here are some of the most popular Pretenders quotes:
- “I’ll stand my ground, and never retreat. They can’t take me, ’cause my heart’s concrete.” – My City Was Gone
- “I’m living in a dream, but it’s not as sweet as it seems. I’m living in a dream, but it’s not as sweet as it seems.” – Living In A Dream
- “I’m gonna stand my ground, and never retreat. They can’t take me, ’cause I’m in too deep.” – Back on the Chain Gang
- “There’s a hole in my soul that can never be filled. I’m so tired of living, but I’m scared to die.” – Don’t Get Me Wrong
- “I’m standing in the rain, with my feet in the mud. I’m feeling so alone, ’cause I know that it’s all my own fault.” – Middle of the Road
- “I’m gonna stand my ground, and never retreat. I’m gonna make my mark, ’cause it’s all that I can do.” – Brass in Pocket
2. What are the most inspiring Pretenders lyrics?
The Pretenders have been providing audiences with inspiring lyrics since their debut in the late 1970s. Their words have the power to make us think, motivate us, and lift our spirits. From their classic hits to their more recent work, here are some of the most inspiring Pretenders lyrics:
- “Don’t get me wrong, I’m no saint, but I’m on a path to some kind of holy light.” – Don’t Get Me Wrong
- “So much of life is uncertain, but one thing is for sure, I’m gonna give it my best and I know I’ll endure.” – Human
- “I go walking in the rain, just to feel the pain, even though I try to wash it away.” – I Go To Sleep
- “You gotta learn to love yourself and be what you want to be.” – Message of Love
- “You can’t ignore the past, but you can move on to the future, it’s an endless road, step by step, you will find your way.” – My City Was Gone
- “Sometimes in life, you gotta take a stand, sometimes you gotta fight, to save what you can.” – Night in My Veins
- “No one can tell me what I’m gonna be, I’m gonna find my own way, and I’m gonna make my own dreams.” – Brass In Pocket
- “Life is too short to waste time on things that don’t really matter.” – Back On The Chain Gang
3. Who are some of the key artists associated with the Pretenders?
The Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in Hereford, England in 1978 by Chrissie Hynde. The original lineup consisted of Hynde, guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers.
Over the years, the Pretenders lineup has changed numerous times, with a revolving cast of supporting musicians and singers. Some of the key artists associated with the Pretenders are:
- Chrissie Hynde – Vocals, Guitar
- Martin Chambers – Drums, Percussion
- Robbie McIntosh – Guitar, Bass
- Malcolm Foster – Bass
- Andy Hobson – Bass
- Andy Rourke – Bass
- Billy Bremner – Guitar
- Jimmy Honeyman-Scott – Guitar
- Pete Farndon – Bass
- Nick Wilkinson – Bass
- Gail Ann Dorsey – Bass, Backing Vocals
4. What themes are explored in Pretenders songs?
The Pretenders are known for their honest and often frank lyrics which explore a range of themes. Some of these themes include:
- Heartbreak and personal relationships
- Social and political issues
- The power of music
- Love and loss
- Social injustice
- Freedom and independence
The Pretenders have always been unafraid to tackle difficult subjects, such as in their song “2000 Miles” about the death of the band’s original guitarist James Honeyman-Scott. They have also often addressed social issues, such as in their song “My City Was Gone” which is about the industrial decline of their hometown of Akron, Ohio.
The Pretenders have always been open and honest in their songwriting. As Chrissie Hynde once said, “I think the most important thing about a song is that it should be honest and not try to be something it isn’t. That’s why I write about what I know and what I feel.”
5. What is the significance of the Pretenders’ musical style?
The Pretenders’ musical style is significant for a variety of reasons. The band has managed to combine elements of punk, new wave, and rock into a unique sound that has made them a staple in the music industry for decades. Here are some of the key elements of the Pretenders’ musical style:
- A mix of punk, new wave, and rock: The Pretenders were one of the first bands to combine punk, new wave, and rock elements into a single sound. This gave them a unique sound that helped them stand out from the crowd.
- Strong female presence: The Pretenders featured strong female presence in its lineup, with Chrissie Hynde being the lead vocalist and songwriter. This was groundbreaking at the time and helped to pave the way for female artists in the music industry.
- High energy performances: The Pretenders’ live performances were always high energy, filled with passionate singing and powerful guitar riffs. This helped to make them stand out from other bands of the era.
- Politically charged lyrics: The Pretenders were not afraid to tackle political issues in their lyrics. This helped to make them a voice for their generation and gave them a platform to speak out about important topics.
The Pretenders’ musical style has been hugely influential in the music industry and continues to be revered by fans and critics alike. Their combination of punk, new wave, and rock has helped to inspire countless artists and bands over the years.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Pretenders have provided us with some of the most memorable and thought-provoking quotes for over four decades. From Chrissie Hynde’s “I’m not a victim, I’m a survivor” to the band’s “Don’t get me wrong,” these quotes are sure to stay with us for many years to come. Whether you’re a fan of the band’s music or just a fan of inspirational quotes, the Pretenders have something to offer everyone. So take a moment to appreciate their words and the impact they’ve had on our culture and our lives.
