The Pretenders - 2000 Miles
Led by charismatic frontwoman Chrissie Hynde, rock band The Pretenders have enjoyed critical and commercial success through their career, most notably with singles such as Brass In Pocket and Don't Get Me Wrong. 1983 saw the release of this Christmas song, although to call it such almost devalues its status, as this is actually a thoughtful, melancholic track. Ostensibly about a lover (and parent) pining for their lost love during Yuletide, it is believed that the song is actually about Pretenders guitarist James Honeyman-Scott who had passed away in 1982. Carried along by a circling guitar riff, Hynde's husky vocals are plaintive here—the lament is obvious. Common consensus has it that the 2000 miles mentioned in the title is a Biblical Nativity reference, but Hynde states that the title was inspired by Otis Redding's Thousand Miles Away. Now firmly accepted as a Christmas standard, it is yet a further example of the variety of theme and narrative of the Christmas single, and most of all, a moving contemplation on love and loss.
Written by: Chrissie Hynde
Produced by: Chris Thomas
Real Records ARE 20 / #15
From my Kindle book "80s UK Christmas Singles" -- a bargain at 99p!
No comments:
Post a Comment