bloggedy blog

:: Monday, September 27, 2004 ::

Punk Rock Countdown: No. 10
"Precious," by the Pretenders
From the opening taps of Martin Chambers' drumsticks, which gave way to the grungy guitar chops of Chrissie Hynde and James Honeyman-Scot, "Precious" is an infectious punk anthem. The first song from the Pretenders' debut album (a classic that every rock'n'roll lover should own), "Precious" uses the rock'n'roll city of Cleveland as a backdrop for Chrissie Hynde's snarling, sexy vocals.

From the moment I first heard Hynde chant/sing the opening lines -- "I like the way you cross the street, cuz you're precious/moving through the Cleveland heat how precious" -- I fell in love with that voice. Remember, folks: this was 1980. The leading female vocalists were Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar. I couldn't stomach Nicks' "Gypsy" shtick, and Pat Benatar, a classically trained vocalist, tried very hard to sound and look like a bad girl, but didn't quite make it. Chrissie Hynde, though -- she was the real animal. She'd grown up on UK punk, practically living at Malcolm MacLaren's Sex boutique with the Sex Pistols. She had the attitude, the look and, best of all, the sound. "Precious" captured Hynde's feral vocals in all their glory. "Brass in Pocket" is the song that made the Pretenders stars, but "Precious" reveals their punk rock rock roots.

(Advisory: "Precious" contains some profanity.)

:: Andrew 07:29 + ::
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