THE PRETENDERS - BRASS IN POCKET

Estrena: 9 de novembre de 1979

Llistes: EUA: #14   Regne Unit: #1 (2 setmanes)

"Brass in Pocket" és una cançó llançada el 1979 de l'àlbum debut de la banda. Coescrita per Chrissie Hynde i James Honeyman-Scott, i produïda per Chris Thomas, la cançó va originar-se a partir d'un riff de guitarra de Honeyman-Scott. Hynde va explicar que les lletres transmeten la confiança i la seguretat necessàries per a una actuació efectiva. El títol va ser inspirat per una frase que Hynde va escoltar després d'un concert. "Brass in Pocket" es va convertir en el gran èxit de The Pretenders, arribant al número u al Regne Unit, sent el primer número u nou dels anys 80, i al número 14 als Estats Units.

Chrissie Hynde va revelar en una entrevista de 1980 amb Sounds que "Brass in Pocket" és una cançó pop lleugera que explora temes d'inseguretat i de mantenir una façana. És una cançó que tracta sobre un noi que intenta ser acceptat pels seus companys.

Chrissie Hynde va créixer a Akron, Ohio, i era estudiant a la Kent State University durant els tràgics esdeveniments de 1970 quan quatre estudiants van ser assassinats per la Guàrdia Nacional. Es va traslladar a Anglaterra el 1973, on va formar The Pretenders amb músics de Hereford. 

Hynde va incorporar argot britànic a "Brass in Pocket":

- "Got Bottle" - Significa tenir coratge o confiança.

- "Skank" - Es refereix a un moviment de ball on es mou el cos de costat a costat.

- "Reet" - Argot per "righteous" o "right" (just o correcte).

- "Brass" - Argot del nord d'Anglaterra per diners, originalment referint-se a monedes.

Hynde també va utilitzar termes com "pulling a girl" per referir-se a trobar una companya per a la nit, i va fer referència a les "dexies" com a píndoles de Dexedrina. Les dexies eren àmpliament utilitzades al Regne Unit durant aquella època, especialment entre músics i persones que anaven de festa. Dexys Midnight Runners es van inspirar en aquesta droga per posar el nom a la banda.

Al vídeo musical dirigit per Mark Robinson, Chrissie Hynde interpreta una cambrera, suggerint que "brass" es refereix als canvis que rep com a propines. Abans de traslladar-se a Londres, Hynde havia treballat com a cambrera als Estats Units. Un moment destacat del vídeo és quan James Honeyman-Scott apunta al cartell de la "oferta especial del dia" al menú del cafè just quan es canten la frase "I'm special, so special", afegint un toc d'humor a l'escena. El vídeo musical té una significació històrica, ja que va ser el setè vídeo emès a MTV durant el seu llançament l'1 d'agost de 1981.

Chrissie Hynde va expressar un fort menyspreu per "Brass in Pocket" tant quan es va gravar com després de que es convertís en un gran èxit al Regne Unit. En una entrevista de 1981 va admetre: "La odiava!" Hynde estava decebuda i avergonyida per l'èxit de la cançó, sentint-se desconnectada del fenomen en que es va convertir. Va revelar que el productor de la banda, Chris Thomas, la va persuadir per llançar la cançó malgrat la seva resistència. Malgrat els seus sentiments personals, Hynde va reconèixer que els fans adoraven la cançó, així que la va interpretar amb reticència als concerts i finalment va deixar de criticar-la públicament. "Brass in Pocket" continua sent una peça fixa en els setlists de The Pretenders, com ho ha estat al llarg de la seva carrera.

THE PRETENDERS - BRASS IN POCKET

Released: November 9, 1979

Charts:  US: #14   UK: #1 (2 weeks)

"Brass in Pocket" is a song released in 1979 from the band’s debut album. Co-written by Chrissie Hynde and James Honeyman-Scott, and produced by Chris Thomas, the song originated from a guitar riff by Honeyman-Scott. Hynde explained that its lyrics convey the confidence and swagger needed for effective performance. The title was inspired by a phrase overheard after a show. "Brass in Pocket" became the Pretenders' breakthrough hit, reaching number one in the UK, making it the first new number-one single of the 1980s, and number 14 in the US.

Chrissie Hynde revealed in a 1980 interview with Sounds that "Brass in Pocket" is a lightweight pop song that explores themes of insecurity and putting up a front. She explained it as being about a guy who is trying to be accepted by his peers, akin to buying new boots and feeling great initially, only to feel differently when he sees imperfections at home. 

Chrissie Hynde's background includes growing up in Akron, Ohio, and being a student at Kent State University during the tragic events in 1970 when four students were killed by the National Guard. She moved to England in 1973, where she formed the Pretenders with musicians from Hereford. Hynde incorporated British slang into "Brass in Pocket":

- "Got Bottle" - Means to have courage or confidence.

- "Skank" - Refers to a dance move where you move your body side to side.

- "Reet" - Slang for "righteous" or "right."

- "Brass" - Northern English slang for money, originally referring to non-silver coins.

Hynde also used terms like "pulling a girl" to mean finding a companion for the evening, and referenced "dexies" as Dexedrine pills. Dexies were widely abused in the UK during that era, particularly among musicians and clubgoers. The band Dexys Midnight Runners took their name from this drug.

In the music video directed by Mark Robinson, Chrissie Hynde portrays a waitress, suggesting that "brass" refers to the change she receives from tips. Before relocating to London, Hynde had worked as a waitress in the United States. A notable moment in the video occurs when James Honeyman-Scott points to the "daily special" tag on the cafe menu just as the lyrics "I'm special, so special" are sung, adding a touch of humor to the scene. The music video holds historical significance as it was the seventh video ever aired on MTV during its launch on 1 August 1981.

Chrissie Hynde expressed strong dislike for "Brass in Pocket" both when it was recorded and after it became a massive hit in the UK. In a 1981 interview she admitted, "I hated it!" Hynde was disappointed and embarrassed by its success, feeling disconnected from the phenomenon it became. She revealed that the band's producer, Chris Thomas, persuaded her to release the song despite her resistance. Despite her personal feelings, Hynde acknowledged that fans loved the song, so she reluctantly performed it at concerts and eventually stopped criticizing it publicly. 

"Brass in Pocket" remained a fixture in Pretenders' setlists throughout their career.