Sometimes a band’s biggest hit isn’t the song that best represents them, and I think that’s true here. If you explore The Pretenders’ catalog, you’ll find songs with more bite and emotion. But this one was the perfect introduction. It made me want to hear more, and that’s exactly what a great first hit should do. Even if Chrissie Hynde has had mixed feelings about it, I’m glad she still plays it. Some songs become bigger than the artist’s opinion of them, and this is definitely one of those.
When The Pretenders released their debut album in 1980, few people knew what to expect. Led by Chrissie Hynde, the band mixed rock, punk, pop, and new wave into a sound that was all their own. While the album was packed with strong songs, it was this song that introduced millions of listeners to the band and turned them into stars.
The song was written by Chrissie Hynde and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott during an early rehearsal. Musically, it has a relaxed groove with a touch of soul that was inspired by Stax and Motown records. Hynde later admitted she wasn’t crazy about the song and didn’t think it represented the band very well. She even resisted releasing it as a single. The record company disagreed, and history proved them right.
One of the things that has always made the song memorable is its unusual lyrics. The phrase “brass in pocket” is old British slang for having money in your pocket. Even though Hynde has said over the years that it isn’t one of her favorite songs, she also understands what it means to fans. It’s still a regular part of the Pretenders’ concerts because she knows audiences want to hear it.
This was the song that introduced me to The Pretenders. Looking back, it’s interesting because it doesn’t really sound like much of what came later. Their music would become tougher, sharper, and more guitar-driven. But this song has a warmth and bounce that makes it stand on its own. It may not be their best song, but it is certainly one of their catchiest, and after all these years, it’s still the first one that comes to mind when I think about discovering the band.
The song peaked at #1 in the UK, #14 on the Billboard 100, #5 in Canada, and #25 in New Zealand in 1979.
Brass in Pocket
Got brass in pocket
Got bottle, I’m gonna use it
Intention, I feel inventive
Gonna make you, make you, make you notice
Got motion, restrained emotion
Been driving Detroit leaning
No reason, just seems so pleasing
Gonna make you, make you, make you notice
[Chorus:]
Gonna use my arms
Gonna use my legs
Gonna use my style
Gonna use my side step
Gonna use my fingers
Gonna use my, my, my imagination
‘Cause I gonna make you see
There’s nobody else here
No one like me
I’m special so special
I gotta have some of your attention give it to me
Got rhythm I can’t miss a beat
Got new skank it’s so reet
Got something I’m winking at you
Gonna make you, make you, make you notice
[Chorus]
‘Cause I gonna make you see
There’s nobody else here
No one like me
I’m special, so special
I gotta have some of your attention
Give it to me
‘Cause I gonna make you see
There’s nobody else here
No one like me
I’m special, so special
I gotta have some of your attention
Give it to me
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Awesome band! 😎
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I think the last time you posted about the Pretenders I said I needed to get the first couple on vinyl. So, I still need to get the first two still lol…. Too bad half the band passed away so early in there recording career but man give props to Hynde and Chambers for carrying on…
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I know….it was so sad that the two died so damn early. I would have loved to hear a career they would have had together.
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Yeah, no kidding as they really lifted off in the mid 80s with that chain gang song…
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A Classic
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You picked one of my favorite Pretenders songs. As such, I hereby declare you passed the audition!🤣
On a more serious note, I really do love that song. While Chrissie Hynde perhaps doesn’t have the most cheerful personality, that lady rocks, especially on vocals. And she still does to this day!
Check this out, dude, off her latest album with the group, 2023’s “Relentless”!
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LOL…
That sounds really good dude…it sounds like their earlier band music a lot!
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Yep. It appears age has been very kind to Hynde – jeez, this even rhymes! 🤣
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Likewise, first thing I ever heard by them and I liked it right away. Still one of maybe half a dozen songs by them I like to hear. She should give thanks to the record bosses for over-ruling her. If she had her choice of singles, the album might not have sold enough to persuade the label to finance a second one.
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Yes…I agree. It hooked me right away because it is a great pop single…it’s catchy…every thing you would want.
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I’ve been a fan of the band when their debut single ‘Kid’ was released.
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I originally bought the debut by mistake. I remember going into the music store in Kamloops way back when looking for something else that I forgot the name of as I wandering through the entrance…so I grabbed the debut, like the song and the album…….but, I remember first seeing the official video and it seemed like the management or record company were trying to turn Hyde into Debbie Harry, she was a punk that didn’t;t work for me. As soon as I left the store and threw the cassette in I knew I’d made a good mistake…I went in actually looking for an album by the Canadian band Toronto
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That was a great mistake Warren… I like the original Pretenders the best I have to say.
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This song surely got The Pretenders noticed and this first video with the drummer facing the rest of the band and Chrissie Hynde smoking is quite unique.
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Max, you remain an expert at writing these blogs. There is very little to say about what a great, take no prisoners single like this. It grabs at the listener and holds you. I love it. But your post is entertaining. A little controversial, and engaging.
Great stuff. Both your writing and the music.
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Thanks Arthur and I appreciate it.
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Lots of memories when I listen to this song. This is one that really grew on me, for some of the reasons you pointed out. And am not sure if I ever saw that video! Really enjoyed listening as it’s been a while since I last heard it.
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Thanks Randy…this was my introduction…and a great one. No matter what Chrissie thinks lol.
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Good band with a great front woman. Good song. Her delivery is her own.
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I never really thought about ot being different from their other hits. If anything, ‘I’ll Stand By You’ is the outlier, although maybe doesn’t count since its a decade later.
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Again, I concur with the majority- most here feel its a great starting single. It has plenty of hooks and the title is very memorable, its not another boringly ‘I Love You’ anodyne title. A top three for me, up there with ‘Stop Your Sobbing’ and ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong.’
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That is what I think as well…a really good quality number 1
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An influential band to be sure, Max. Chrissie…you knew from the very moment she started singing it was her. Distinct voice and delivery. This song was my intro to them as well, but I agree it does not define them. I can think of five songs I like better, but what a start to stardom for them with this one.
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Yea she is like Neil Young and a few others…you know them right away.
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One of my favorite bands. Chrissie Hynde is a terrific singer. It’s not often that I say that about a rock singer. I’ll say they’re a terrific “rock” singer. But she’s one of the rare exceptions…like John Lennon…like Bono . And Martin Chambers…can’t say enough about him as a drummer. He’s exceptional.
All that said, in my opinion, they never fully recovered after James Honeyman-Scott died. Yes, they put out some great stuff, but he was such a beautiful player, while making it look so easy…that can’t be replaced.
So, yeah, I disagree with Chrissie…this is one of their best songs…and it’s because of the synergy of her and Honeyman-Scott, that laid back groove that is so deceptively intricate.
Sorry to run on, Max. I’m very passionate about The Pretenders.
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I totally agree with what you said about James Honeyman-Scott dying…that put an end to that version of the band and sound.
She does have one of those voices…kinda like Neil Young and a few more…I don’t mean the quality of the voice…but you know who is singing without looking.
Pam…you can write a novel for a comment…I don’t mind at all. I get it totally.
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Chrissie is great and Pretenders were fab in all versions, but especially kicking in the original line-up. I got into them immediately with Stop Your Sobbing and Kid and Brass In Pocket was icing on the cake. I saw them 3 times, all memorable: 1981 Mansfield Leisure Centre, one of the few big bands to play there, a bit of a Rockbilly Revival area and depressed coal-mining town where I was born and that was an odd gig but they were great. 1985 or 86 was next, Bournemouth with a power cut mid set. So Chrissie lit a candle and went acoustic till it came back on. Legend. Third time round was with UB40, a double bill, and fun. Blair Cunningham, drummer, I saw a few weeks back with reformed Haircut 100, 40 years on and like a band reborn, so much energy!
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