Post by erik on Feb 27, 2021 18:29:28 GMT -5
The Pretenders find themselves in this week's Pop Music Hits Spotlight with a 1990's rock ballad that was a change of pace from their usual harder rocking sound, in part thanks to their ultra-legendary front woman.
I’LL STAND BY YOU (The Pretenders; Sire; 1994)—Just by virtue of being a band led by a charismatic front woman (in the form of the American-born Chrissie Hynde), the otherwise British rock band The Pretenders would have been regarded by many critics and fans as one of the best bands of the 1980’s. Fortunately for them, however, they had the songs and the musical acumen to back all of this up. Their hit-making skills began in late 1979/early 1980 with “Brass In Pocket”, which went to #1 in England, and #14 in the Akron, Ohio-born Hynde’s native America. Hynde and the band kept persevering throughout the decade, even after original members James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon died only a few months apart in late 1982 and early 1983. Their biggest U.S. hit would come in early 1983 with “Back On The Chain Gang”, which got up to #5 on the Hot 100, though they would have further hits with “Middle Of The Road” (#19, 1984); “2000 Miles” (a perennial classic-rock Christmas favorite); and “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (#10, 1986). But while they were known for their rockers, much later on, in 1994, they hit with a rock ballad entitled “I’ll Stand By You”, from their album Last Of The Independents. Hynde wrote this song with Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg (the latter of whom had already scored with hit covers by Whitney Houston, Pat Benatar, Madonna, and Linda Ronstadt) as a pledge for faithfulness and love to anyone going through hard times. Released in July 1994, the song was a major Top 10 hit in several countries, including Canada, England, Italy, and Australia; and even in the midst of a fairly fallow period for rock in America, it managed to get to #16 on the Hot 100 (#10 Adult Contemporary) in October. It has been covered over the ensuing twenty-seven years by artists like Shakira and Carrie Underwood, largely for charity causes. As of 2021, it has proven to be the Pretenders’ last recent big hit. In 2005, however, the group, current members and the two deceased ones, would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I’LL STAND BY YOU (The Pretenders; Sire; 1994)—Just by virtue of being a band led by a charismatic front woman (in the form of the American-born Chrissie Hynde), the otherwise British rock band The Pretenders would have been regarded by many critics and fans as one of the best bands of the 1980’s. Fortunately for them, however, they had the songs and the musical acumen to back all of this up. Their hit-making skills began in late 1979/early 1980 with “Brass In Pocket”, which went to #1 in England, and #14 in the Akron, Ohio-born Hynde’s native America. Hynde and the band kept persevering throughout the decade, even after original members James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon died only a few months apart in late 1982 and early 1983. Their biggest U.S. hit would come in early 1983 with “Back On The Chain Gang”, which got up to #5 on the Hot 100, though they would have further hits with “Middle Of The Road” (#19, 1984); “2000 Miles” (a perennial classic-rock Christmas favorite); and “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (#10, 1986). But while they were known for their rockers, much later on, in 1994, they hit with a rock ballad entitled “I’ll Stand By You”, from their album Last Of The Independents. Hynde wrote this song with Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg (the latter of whom had already scored with hit covers by Whitney Houston, Pat Benatar, Madonna, and Linda Ronstadt) as a pledge for faithfulness and love to anyone going through hard times. Released in July 1994, the song was a major Top 10 hit in several countries, including Canada, England, Italy, and Australia; and even in the midst of a fairly fallow period for rock in America, it managed to get to #16 on the Hot 100 (#10 Adult Contemporary) in October. It has been covered over the ensuing twenty-seven years by artists like Shakira and Carrie Underwood, largely for charity causes. As of 2021, it has proven to be the Pretenders’ last recent big hit. In 2005, however, the group, current members and the two deceased ones, would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
