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/iplayer/episode/...
For more sets from Radio 2 Live At Home head to BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...
Listen to and download a selection of performances on BBC Sounds: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0...
Find out more about Radio 2 Live at Home: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08m...

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.

[@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!

[@ninesticks]

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

[@harenrussel]

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️🎉🎉🎉

[@joeyc666]

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

[@agreeneish]

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

[@ARIZJOE]

Our girl from Akron!!

[@janeentumbao8690]

Pure and raw talent. Love it! ❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@Jay-vj1km]

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

[@anthonylathrop7251]

Man Chrissie's vibrato gives me chills every time

[@markr1550]

And she was 68 when this was filmed. Amazing.

[@Joethecatholic]

Her whaaat??! 👀

[@bluespoppa]

achingly beautiful.

[@angelberges9485]

This is the Best one for me nice very nice

[@leokimvideo]

This song just gets better as the artist ages.

[@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.

[@davidsailboat5441]

Musical perfection here..

[@denniszacharias5625]

Always awsome.

[@omanmc]

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

[@soyounoat]

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

[@acac7399]

Love. Love Love Love Love for ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@7MazziMiii7]

WOW! She's soooo good!!! i love her.💞💖💘💛💝

[@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

[@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.

[@michaellerman6349]

Thank you what a gift you are thank you for the great music so excellent blessings .

[@billyCREIGHTON44]

Amazing lady love her ❤️

[@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.

[@tennissir1986]

Only someone as talented as her can pull this off.

[@jamesfranson8229]

Beautiful...

[@seanie002]

One of the greatest songwriters

[@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!

[@MelindadelosSantos]

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

[@agentdouble-osoul158]

She’s an angel sent from heaven. Amen. ktf

[@donniehill5688]

Amazing, With Love!

[@rkoenig100]

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

[@Metalwheel]

😵

[@davyfbkk]

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

[@LaGnole09]

Quel plaisir de la revoir, toute ma jeunesse.merci

[@bpeo108]

I'm in Heaven listening to this. Rock On !!

[@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

[@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

[@iuricarvalho9932]

Brazilians love you !!!!!!!

[@RussTillling]

Always awsome...Chrissie...

[@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!

[@kellymarsden7476]

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

[@gchannel430]

Love this song

[@johnglynhughes4239]

Legend, goddess! Epitomises rock n roll.

[@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.

[@danielconnolly8565]

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

[@kashesan]

Love you Chrissie!

[@elorejonfic1]

God bless you Chrissie and Pretenders

[@matthewfeatherston8982]

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

[@franciskwok3515]

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

[@georgegarbutt8853]

Happiest days of my life.

[@Daniborrero10]

Real music

[@alexmc3750]

What is not to like about that…perfection!

[@ctruthtoday]

That song brings back a lot of memories.

[@AstrologerPatricia]

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

[@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.

[@ByDaga]

I love this woman, I like her voice, I love this song

[@iansoutryer3189]

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

[@sinnertrain7405]

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

[@PhiddyPford]

Real Rock and Roll ! Fantastic!! Go Girl!!!!

[@jaimelaceraacosta200]

I love this song.

[@LON009]

My first music crush ❤️

[@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!

[@marielsonaugusto1374]

Parabéns.. Brazil..

[@spadger9122]

Best tribute to friend . ❤

[@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?

[@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!

[@robg8784]

Love the setting.... Love the Vibe ,,,,,

[@simonmacleod6212]

My favourite song of all time. Many thanks Chrissie

[@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.

[@edisone.7212]

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

[@heribertoalvaradobolanos8470]

Siempre Serás Muy Hermosa♥️😘

[@rifyrafi]

I’m in love with this song all over again.

[@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.

[@adamfenech4375]

Great voice. Great performance!

[@doowopfanuk]

love it still a great group and song

[@petercentenoangulo6904]

Hermoso ,beautiful

[@rickblaine270]

LEGENDARY

[@kutispwet6441]

69 and still kicking rock, more years to come

[@manuelantoniobrea8742]

Fantástic

[@Major00Tom]

That voice, that beautiful beautiful voice. She may sing the hocky pocky and still get to the deeps depths of your heart.

[@SDVN74]

One of the coolest and most underrated rock stars in history

[@riffbrasil8363]

The best forever ........

[@sausagesandwich8938]

A true Queen of rock.

[@voidedspace5510]

Just beautiful!!

[@Thelearner1000]

After all these years, what an incredible voice!

[@edadpops1709]

Still lovin this voice 👍👍👍👍

[@anacro9944]

I love her ❤️🇧🇷

[@donbrashsux]

Brilliant ..her voice is amazing

[@Cicilo1983]

Brilliance is timeless. What a fantastic song and artist.

[@josejuanperezramos6631]

Great Band

[@jesusmex3186]

Exactly the same, still get chills

[@alannangle4320]

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

[@LisaLaMagna]

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

[@schindelmeyerpascal3655]

Quel belle voix!!!!

[@guachomaldito]

Que grossa! alucinante version. love forever

[@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.

[@valdirobali5088]

Obrigado Pretenders, amo a cantora e as musicas...SAÚDE, PAZ , AMOR E COMIDA ! Obrigado BBC GLÓRIA A DEUS E PAZ NA TERRA

[@cicerojuvenal5246]

Linda, maravilhosa

[@sash7551]

Oozes of nostalgia !!

[@stephengould4768]

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

[@arturo1487]

me too