"Pretenders" is the debut studio album by British-American band The Pretenders, released in 1979 under the label of Sire Records. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 9 on the Billboard 200 in the US.
Led by the charismatic Chrissie Hynde, The Pretenders were distinctive for their blend of punk, pop, and new wave sounds. This debut album features a mix of original songs, mostly composed by Hynde, and cover versions. It showcases Hynde's songwriting, voice, and persona, with lyrics often noted for their unsentimental, tough, and romantic nature.
The breakout single "Brass in Pocket," became a huge hit, reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 14 in the US. Other notable tracks from the album include "Kid" and "Stop Your Sobbing," the latter being a cover of a song by The Kinks.
Despite fraught relations between band members and tragic circumstances that led to the drug-related deaths of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon in the years following its release, "Pretenders" stands as a seminal work of its era. The album's influence endures, and it has been hailed as one of the best albums of all time by various publications.
This debut album established The Pretenders as one of the most important and pioneering bands of the new wave movement, setting the stage for the band's long-lasting career in music.
