Pretenders - Back On The Chain Gang (Radio 2 Live At Home)

Pretenders perform for Radio 2 Live At Home 2020.
Watch the full set on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/i...
For more sets from Radio 2 Live At Home head to BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/...
Listen to and download a selection of performances on BBC Sounds: www.bbc.co.uk/...
Find out more about Radio 2 Live at Home: www.bbc.co.uk/...

[@jeffdwyer1655]

Hands down the best female voice in rock music, ever. And it's as good as it ever was. How on earth does she do it? And she's still as beautiful as ever.

[@xavieraguirre2190]

I wink give it to you ...lover her but I will put in the same level with Dolores alanis ... respect for all

[@disturbedcarrot]

​@@xavieraguirre2190add Sheryl too

[@konstantinostsiountos7459]

​@@xavieraguirre2190 also i would add the beautiful belinda Carlisle

[@ninerscountry7885]

That’s what we call taking care of herself through the years !! Simple…

[@1114gabby]

Agree...she is amazing!

[@theraven6836]

Real musicians, playing real instruments and making real music.

[@clutch1141]

There's a reason they started calling bands "artists" and stopped calling them musicians.

[@Growler57]

Really

[@KOSMICKEN09]

there's lots of musicians playing real music it's not like the only music being Made is on the top 40.. though I'd prefer to hear the rock version

[@naimkozi3767]

And singing with their real voices

[@RoddyBezerra]

up

[@mikemchugh3073]

Wow, her voice is still 100%. I just love this woman. Rock on Chrissy.

[@BonnChnd]

Voted one of the Top 10 Women Guitarist in Rock. This song is dedicated to their lost bandmate, he died right after “Brass in Pocket” so when Chrissy wrote and still sings this song and says “those were the happiest days of my life” and how much a picture brings her heartbreak and memories she’s talking about him. I do know that when he died Chrissy had a hard time dealing with it so she wrote this song and told herself to get back out there on the chain gang and rock. And that she has done and will do until they meet again.

[@claudemcwhorter]

@@BonnChnd never heard that, great story about this song.

[@BonnChnd]

Claude Mcwhorter Chrissy Hynde wrote "Back on the Chain Gang" as a memorial to James Honeyman-Scott who died in 1982, I think of O.D. and she dedicated it to him. He was the lead guitarist. As Chrissy sings lead “Back On The Chain Gang” she is immediately transformed from the drudgery of her existence by an unexpected sight: “I found a picture of you/What hijacked my world that night.” From that point, she compares the idyllic existence that she once shared with her departed friend to the grind of daily life, signified by the grunts of a chain gang. I think by the last verse of the song you can hear her anguish, every word in that song describes the loss of a lover or a close friend and the pain of it all but Chrissy knew they had to get back to work. It became the Pretenders most popular song. And Chrissy wrote and sang it with all her heart. That’s Rock.

[@claudemcwhorter]

@@BonnChnd thx Bonnie, I knew she was from Ohlo, but nothin about the lead guitarist or much else. THX again

[@edwarddawes949]

I agree

[@MrSpuentes]

I can't believe her voice is exactly the same, as in the eighties. The voice is a perishable thing, it's just a fact of aging,she's doing something right to preserve and maintain her distinct sound. This was wonderful, absolutely loved it.

[@execatty]

brings me back to when i was 15

[@darkogrosev4288]

They don't make them like (her) they used to.

[@hoderharris]

This incredible, sexy,smart ,kick ass woman is 69 years young. That's the most rock n roll thing ever...

[@marktime9235]

69!?!?!?!? really???? Sh*t! I feel so old...........and I am 63 ;)

[@godwillguideme.3773]

I can see her still doing it at 75!

[@joanneloretta3412]

Hell yes!!! I'm 68 and still rock. Love the Pretenders!!! Crissy looks amazing and so is her voice!!!

[@greatunz67]

Still sounds good, but sexy? you must have your video set to 144p lol

[@lisamarie8700]

Hell Yeah!!!

[@leokimvideo]

This song just gets better as the artist ages.

I was born in 1971 and grew up in the 1980's. 70's and 80's have the best music/songs hands down and they're pretty much the only music I listen to. You don't really appreciate great music of the 70's and 80's until you have to put up with crap they call music these days.

[@omanmc]

You don't need gimmicks when you have talent. Tears of joy listening to this.

[@fhhfgj]

Hey all you twentysomething with autotune, THIS is what being a REAL ROCK N ROLLER looks like.

[@SkepticCat-pz1zz]

fhhfgj well said!☮️

[@Andrewm714]

Sound like.

[@craiglester7390]

Good stuff!

[@BonnChnd]

Thank you! We need to say that more often. I am sick of the crap pop that’s passed off as music. If Chrissie ever met Justin Bieber I guarantee she would throat punch him then walk over that miserable kid and start playing real music.

[@LKaramazov]

Is there still such a thing as rock and roll? I thought it was all hip hopified, but I’m out of the loop and probably don’t know.

[@karlv7000]

Simply Beautiful after all these years she still has it, that line where she says, "I Found A Picture Of You....Those Were The Happiest Days Of My Life" still gives me chill bumps and takes me back to the 80's when life was awesome.

[@Walmers27]

beautiful lyric

[@SpookyGroovyPolitoCatMum]

That line is probably about James Honeyman Scott. Makes me think of my husband.

[@1114gabby]

me too...

[@quantumpotential7639]

I got chills when I read your comment. Then I heard IT!! And experienced another wave of chills. What is THAT? It happens on certain parts of certain songs. I think it's pretty cool. Must be a resonance thing going on. A vibration.

[@karlv7000]

@@quantumpotential7639 Yes, it's a kind of resonating thing that flows through you and I and all those that really feel the emotional connection with music of this magnitude, Cheers to you sharing your feelings, Karl.

[@davyfbkk]

She has the most amazing female rock voice of all time.

[@agreeneish]

I found a picture of you .. Those were the happiest days of my life !!!

[@tjtube65]

Her voice HAS NOT CHANGED!

[@armybeef68]

Kind of odd don't you think when they sound EXACTLY the same as they did on the radio.

[@soyounoat]

That voice she has is a gift. No deterioration at all.

[@rkoenig100]

Chrissy Hynde's voice is still beautiful and haunting. Absolutely superb.

[@Metalwheel]

😵

[@anthonylathrop7251]

Man Chrissie's vibrato gives me chills every time

[@markr1550]

And she was 68 when this was filmed. Amazing.

[@Joethecatholic]

Her whaaat??! 👀

[@joeyc666]

If anyone is watching this and grieving and / or missing someone. I'm right there with you. Sending hugs ❤

[@lj5899]

THIS... is how it should be. My bucket list includes hearing her do this live. Don't care how old she is. Wait... I am older than Chrissie so, lets get on with it!

[@ninesticks]

wow wow wow thanks so much - still here after all the years...... from 2024

[@tennissir1986]

Only someone as talented as her can pull this off.

[@AnkurWow]

Love everything about this: Chrissie Hynde because she’s Chrissie Hynde, Austin Powers on piano, and they’re playing in such a fairy tale setting.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

yeah baby🤓🇬🇧🎹

[@seantivenan9593]

Austin Powers meets Chrissie Hynde in the tele tubbies garden

[@AnkurWow]

@@seantivenan9593 Haha!

[@roberttangen2942]

Glad I’m not the only to think when I saw him. Still one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@kiloechocharlie1342]

Austin Powers eh? How old are you?

[@sergemck]

I'm 72 and have 10000 LPs, but I was never a real fan of the Pretenders, but I respected their work. I stumbled on this video and I was utterly shocked at how good Chrissie Hynde's vocals are. There is something about watching a vocalist close up during a performance that brings out how difficult it is for a singer to achieve master-class, royalty status. I love playing this vid. She has a unique, unforgettable, superb voice. My apologies, Chrissie, for only now becoming a totally hooked fan of yours.

[@maidonian68]

@sergemck checkout the Album Hate for Sale,you can get it on Vinyl to add to your collection.For me it's classic Pretenders.

[@aquilesanomar10K]

​@@maidonian68😮de verdad tiene 10 mil LP?

[@maidonian68]

@@aquilesanomar10K 10 thousand LP's

[@mrmojorisin8752]

10,000 LPs, and you never listened to the Pretenders’ Learning to Crawl?

[@Chris-zo2fj]

60 and totally agree, spine tingling performance, rocked Glasto 23

[@ctruthtoday]

That song brings back a lot of memories.

[@AstrologerPatricia]

I was at a university and covering The Pretenders in a dorm band.

[@davidsailboat5441]

Musical perfection here..

[@Backscuttle85]

Chrissie still sounds so fresh, her voice so young. Incredible. My favourite song by the band.

[@mikeyaureliush9017]

Her vegan diet has not done her any harm.

[@kiloechocharlie1342]

Same here. So much so that I sang it with my band. We were 3 guys who knew talent, we did a decent job of it...

[@msmeyersmd8]

I still love “2000 Miles” every Christmas season. But I can’t forget “Space Invaders” and “Brass in Pocket”. The label on the the Original Vinyl LP says ~ “this Album was recorded to be played at High Volume.” I loved that. I always followed that instruction.

[@LKaramazov]

When I was a kid brass in pockets was my favorite, as I got older, this song ripped my heart out.

[@thea2u]

I have loved Chrissie and her genuine voice since I heard her on The Pretenders debut album.. None of that autotune, lip syncing or theatrics. Just true heart and soul. I adore her always and forever.

[@ciphermatrix]

Damn Chrissie, sounding as fantastic as ever.

[@billykelly1013]

Voice hasn’t changed one bit

[@maxinewatermaker6162]

No shizzit! It's 1980 all over again!

[@Jay-vj1km]

My god…. After all these years she still sounds so amazing. Magnificent.

[@danielconnolly8565]

Amazing. Still. After all these years. “Circumstance beyond our control”, indeed.

[@franciskwok3515]

It's 2020 and her pipes are still spectacular; elastic and in key - cracks in exactly the right places. Super impressive.

[@TooStonedToBobsled]

Holy shit...I can't think of another rock icon who's voice has stayed so incredibly strong, versatile and retained the tamber that makes their voice so unique.

[@billmarsh1971]

Siouxsie Sioux

[@davehooper6481]

Steven Tyler is one but there are few

[@Gallagherfreak100]

Ann Wilson & Paul Rogers

[@spede1]

Debbie Harry from Blondie

[@hythey10]

Robert Smith

[@carlucciodc5118]

Can't get over her unique and amazing voice! Just as amazing is that it is just as powerful. and beautiful as it was in the 70s!

[@SDVN74]

One of the coolest and most underrated rock stars in history

[@edisone.7212]

Chrissie, I love this woman! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Maradona's T-shirt, Viva!

[@theonlyredspecial]

Christ. That was great. What a talented lady she is. Wasn’t expecting that. Always loved that song since I was a kid.

[@geoffmonteith2439]

Thst was awesome

[@EricMustardman]

Talented? I think she left "talented" far behind decades ago! She's been a superstar for ages, albeit without any prima donna behaviour, just completely down to earth. 👍👍👍

[@Thelearner1000]

After all these years, what an incredible voice!

[@sinnertrain7405]

I so LOVE her voice and this song (which she wrote)! A true legend.

[@MelindadelosSantos]

Wow, just wow !!! (Even the setting.) They all look and sound so devine!😊

[@sarahbeach4849]

I love her. My first idol, the first woman I saw in pop music of that era who was a BAD ASS. She's still amazing!

[@blipco5]

Chrissie has not lost a step. Been loving her for years. 😘

[@waynebooker498]

Chrissie's still kickin' it man. Old rock-n-rollers never die: they just re-string their guitar. Damn if I didn't have to go back and watch their Live Aid performance too.

[@mathmusic1490]

This is awesome. Her voice is still there! I like the acoustic sound too! A great song for all time. Chrissy wrote ALL of the Pretenders songs.

[@silviosamani]

Long life Chrissie , this acoustic version is marvelous, great discover...

[@armybeef68]

Acoustic means no cords, wires, amplifiers, "(of popular music or musical instruments) not having electrical amplification. "a sad, gentle acoustic ballad"

[@christiandonatti4956]

That Maradona T-Shirt made my day, my week, my month and the whole Pandemic. Thanks from Argentina. #Maradona #D10S

[@javierbasso829]

muy increíble....y en una secuencia se ve el escudo de la camiseta de Boca

[@pauwmars]

Puede ser que en 2:45 diga Buenos Aires? 😯😯

[@juantournet]

Acabó de llegar de casualidad a este video buscando versiones de Candy en vivo, encontré una de Chrissie con Iggy Pop, claro. Y me encuentro con esta remera. Hoy fui a despedirlo y no pude hacerlo por la represión policial.

[@pauwmars]

@@juantournet fuerza.

[@gastonalbornoz8066]

Aguante el Diego

[@Mio_Chan_Akiyama]

69 and still kicking rock, more years to come

[@kimolos]

Oh my generation!!!! So beautiful -the happy state of my life ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@sandmanwinks3306]

She is amazing. Period. Somehow I feel she never gets the respect she deserves. All those old rockers (like Bon Jovi, David Lee Roth etc) who have lost their voices, she is still powerful... she hasn't lost her timber. Great.

[@FrannyWard]

I saw Her in Philly at Live Aid at JFK in July of 1985 with about 90,000 others. I will never forget it.

[@matthewfeatherston8982]

This version has something that is missing from today's music...Class!!! That was an awesome performance!!🤘🤘🤘

[@aquaticlife9251]

Being a child of the 70's how can you not have that voice as part of the sound track of your adolescence. Impossible.

[@AllTheBestCO]

Great musicians. That's Carwyn Ellis (on keyboards). He's a Welsh singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. The guitarist is: James Walbourne is a British singer, guitarist, and multi- instrumentalist. He is the lead guitar player in The Pretenders as well as one-half of The Rails. Thank you BBC Music for posting this on KZbin.

[@bh8365]

Ambient. Always thankful for such interesting facts about the players.

[@superbug1977]

Thanks for the info. I was looking for James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon, and Martin Chambers. But some of them have passed--sadly.

[@claysnyder1257]

That's cool to know

[@Chris-zo2fj]

Truly rocks it (and the pinstripes)

[@Killkenny62]

Takes me right back........when i was seventeen, it was a very good year.

[@xr7coug]

I'm 19 again... This is incredible! One of the best versions of the song.

[@regularnimnule9715]

Yup. Mindblowing.

[@h2ofield]

I'm amazed how good it works without drums.

[@rwlane]

Man. It's exactly the same! That wonderful voice. Reminding me of times in my life. Makes me cry. ♥️

[@meecob]

She's still got it. Always brings a tear to my eye this song. So sad about the original guitarist.

[@3dougj]

sirgonads she lost two original band members to drug overdose. Very sad.

[@meecob]

@@3dougj I know

[@kellymarsden7476]

Sounds fantastic!!!!! Her performance is stellar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@tonylane1055]

In a world filled with mediocrity it is so pleasing to see that quality still exists....long may it last!

[@bassrob88]

Exactly…well said my friend

[@stephengould4768]

Good Lord......she has always had a fantastic voice!!!!! There is something about this song that always makes me cry

[@arturo1487]

me too

[@clementsphil]

12 people who downvoted this have absolutely no taste or idea of class. Sounds better than ever after all these years and Chrissie Hynde can still kick ass as a near-70 year old rock star!

[@TheAnalogKid68]

F them dude . They don’t know better.

[@iansoutryer3189]

40 years on and her voice hasn't changed a bit!😊

[@cohokid6936]

One of the first ladies of rock for sure and her voice sounds absolutely amazing here!

[@rodturner6759]

The key change and tempo lift after the turn around is everything about this song, coming out of the darkness and back into the light. I love this song ever since I heard it in 83.

[@LisaLaMagna]

I want this in my backyard. This is such a reprieve from a horrible week in California. Thank you to the band.

[@HoangNguyen-jg8hq]

Really fantastic. Brought back some memories.

[@swamification]

Chrissy is as brilliant as ever!! I didn’t know what to expect before going to see The Pretenders live, just before the global meltdown. The first syllable she sang pierced me to my heart. I was instantly transported back to the 80s, when life was simpler, I was in my sexual prime, the aches and pains of middle age were nonexistent, and I remembered how many fantastic tunes that The Pretenders contributed to my teenage and early adult years. James Honeyman Scott’s guitar parts are forever seared into my flesh and bones and marrow. Whoever plays them with any amount of sincere artistic integrity and guts is channeling his great spirit. Grateful for Chrissy and all the great music and may she continue to get our corpuscles moving should they get sluggish!! 🙏

[@bryanparker1103]

HI!!! Are you Swami Gravina?????

[@swamification]

bryan parker Bryan, I’m not Swami Gravina 🙏

[@LKaramazov]

You’re right, for me, this song is as close to my senior year in 83 as it gets. I liked brass in pockets back then, my best friend liked this song. It’s been this song for the past ten years or so every since I considered myself old and wise. This song has made me cry before. A very rare distinction.

[@joelashadali]

Loved this song as a youngman... it has even more weight n revelance now as a 55yo.

[@roldoxc2094]

Same age, same thought!

[@redcropuk]

They'll fall to ruin one day For making us part 2020

[@riobabic8960]

I remember when this song came out and loved it !

[@joelashadali]

@@roldoxc2094 2 years later ....feel the same.

[@coloradoken3159]

Red Rocks with the Pretenders and Simple Minds back in '84.......it was good to be young.

[@AllTheBestCO]

I was also there. I met both Chrissie Hynde and James Kerr at that show. James is weird. Chrissie is cool. Fun time.

[@computerboy2k]

Is that the tour where Chrissie and Jim fell in love before they wed?

[@colorider903]

Oh yeah, no place like the Red Rocks. Spent a lot of the 80s there and Big Mac.

[@bobluder5846]

I was there! I remember it raining on us the entire day until The Pretenders came on stage, and just like that, the stars appeared overhead. Magical!

[@mikelei861]

That was a GREAT CONCERT, remember it well!

[@terryyeo1852]

she outlived them all,the originals. long live the Pretenders!

[@armandmule8763]

If I only heard this and not seen it, would have no idea when this took place. Amazing!! Timeless!!

[@lefthandluke8923]

Well said, bro.

[@channarodrigo6683]

Not much has changed since '85 when I first heard her.. real music, real musicians..

[@Cicilo1983]

Brilliance is timeless. What a fantastic song and artist.

[@garyolafson8303]

This how you know you're Talented and have a good song (a Hit). Your talent comes through when you vary it, and change it up and it's still excellent

[@sgassocsg]

Unbelievable. Fabulous I have all her songs. No one is like her, then and now. She’s an American icon. She’s also the Greatest Bond girl singer with the best 007 song. Wow!

[@daleigou943]

Chrissie don't ever change. You are to be admired for your independence and uniqueness!

[@le_th_]

My god, her voice sounds the same as it did back in 1981? Impressive.

[@patrickbinford590]

She's totally underrated but I have the feeling that she's wise enough and conscious enough not to really care. Unusually great person.

[@pushplay133]

I LOVE her. In my opinion, one of the most powerfully controlled female voices of rock and roll, as well as a poetic songwriter. I saw her in Denver about 5 years ago, and she killed it. I hope she gives us a few more albums before she decides to retire.

[@somelikeithot63]

She'll never retire!

[@pushplay133]

@@somelikeithot63 Promise?

[@wokeness420]

Such a beautiful voice. She sounds the same as she always has. Enchanting.

[@eggy68]

Still hopelessly crushing on Chrissie. Thanks for this, BBC.

[@gary2kr1]

So glad you're still kicking ass Chrissie. You sound amazing. Thank you for being a part of the soundtrack of my life

[@willford8475]

I've followed Chrissie and the Pretenders since the seventies. Fantastic rock n roll chick, a truly great voice. 💘

[@ulissesbasile7556]

amazing, the voice it's totally identical in 80's, great singer!

[@aek1928]

Her voice is still amazing and she is evidence of how sexy a woman can be NATURALLY!!!

[@guitarmuso1]

amazing ? really ? try listening to sheryl crow a woman who can actually sing

[@johncooper7694]

She's a treasure.

[@sharondianneb]

@@guitarmuso1 ugh

[@theblytonian3906]

@@guitarmuso1 Really? Let's hear you then so we can compare the greatness of your negative 'critique' of others with your own dubious talent. Please post the link. Curiosity begs and fairness demands.

[@jaseybaby3360]

I divorced my wife after all her plastic surgery , give me real ones any day

[@robyoung9968]

Her voice one of the most iconic, she was and is fantastic!

[@alannangle4320]

Great performance never lost those Magnificent vocals a crowd puller Any time, keep kicking Ass chrissie we are with you all the way,

[@Neo-bf3ro]

That beautiful voice takes you back in time like that!! The 80's had great artist like Chrissie!! Looks beautiful and sounds gorgeous as Hell!! Keep rock'n it Baby!

[@shughy1]

Just the most beautiful voice in the music industry

[@alexmc3750]

What is not to like about that…perfection!

[@w00dsta]

this made my whole body tingle. Like several old memories of delicious times all lit up at once. Bliss.

[@whoscook4481]

Every concert i went to i the early 80s when you walked in the pretenders were playing. She sounds great today! Thanks Chrissy

[@rickblaine270]

LEGENDARY

[@denniszacharias3989]

What a extraordinary and remarkable person .So great to see and hear her sing .Watched some of the interviews, great personality. One heck of a talent.

[@cnosprandt5155]

Wow. Chrissie still sounds amazing and this song is timeless.

[@theblytonian3906]

Love Chrissie & the Pretenders. Chrissie you're looking & sounding fabulous!

[@GeorgeCMcRae]

Pretenders 2020 is the finest ever! THIS is your moment, Pretenders!

[@donbrashsux]

Brilliant ..her voice is amazing

[@BigMatt120693]

Love it! Chrissie hasn't lost any of her voice, she is incredible! Come on BBC Music release the whole set on here for us overseas Brits who love The Pretenders.

[@reginelebascle4189]

Into the garden,into the nature.i love yourmusic since 1983.. Your little frenchie 🍀🌺

[@daveylong3089]

James is a wonderful guitarist. This is a brilliant performance from such a cool trio. Love it.

[@hezebelbeing]

When I was a teenager, this was one of my favourite songs. Wonderful, pro, perfect version here. So glad that my 17 yr old daughter loves our old music...we are so lucky she has taste. She wears a Blondie t-shirt and loves Metric...;)