Pretenders II
Encyclopedia
Pretenders II is the second studio album
by British rock band
the Pretenders.
release called Extended Play
, in March 1981. Their second album, Pretenders II, was released a scant two months later, to mixed critical reception, partly because two of the better songs on the album had been previously released, and partly because many of the songs were viewed as overly-similar (though not quite as groundbreaking) to the band's debut. Nevertheless, several of the album's songs became hits and the album has increased in critical stature with time.
The album is notable for the inclusion of a cover of The Kinks
' "I Go to Sleep
" (they had covered that band's "Stop Your Sobbing" on their debut album, and band leader Chrissie Hynde
would have a personal relationship with Kinks' frontman Ray Davies
), as well as the sexually-forward tunes "Bad Boys Get Spanked" and "The Adultress". Perhaps the album's most ambitious track, "Day After Day" spins a common second-album narrative of unaccustomed celebrity, with the band rushing from gig to gig, hotel to hotel, head-spun from the swiftness of it all. The song ends suddenly, mid-guitar-solo, with the sound of a crashing fighter plane. The song "Louie, Louie" is an original composition and not a version of identically titled and often covered song by Richard Berry.
The album would be the final release from the original lineup of the band, as shortly afterwards the band would be fractured by the drug abuse that would take the life of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott
, leading to a long recording hiatus.
Twenty years after its release, it was certified gold (500,000 sold) in 2001.
This is the first album to be released while their producer, Chris Thomas was working with Elton John
.
Rhino released a re-mastered edition of Pretenders II in 2006, including with it a second disc of live tracks and outtakes. On disc two, tracks 1-3, 5-6, 8-13, and 15 originally appeared as a Warner Bros. promotional live album, Pretenders Live at the Santa Monica Civic, from 1982. Tracks 4 and 14 appeared as b-sides to the single release of "I Go to Sleep". Tracks 14 and 16-18 are previously unreleased.
The front cover portrait was photographed by Gavin Cochrane.
unless otherwise noted.
Bonus disc, 2006 remastered edition:
Tracks 1-15 were recorded live at the Santa Monica Civic Center, Santa Monica, California, on September 4, 1981.
Singles
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by British rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
the Pretenders.
History
The success of the Pretenders' debut album in 1980 created a great demand for more material from the fledgling band; however, a lack of songs precluded the quick release of a followup album. In the UK, the band released two hit singles in 1980 and early 1981, "Message of Love", and "Talk of the Town". In the US, where standalone singles had become rare, these tracks were combined with three others for a stopgap EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
release called Extended Play
Extended Play (The Pretenders EP)
Extended Play is an EP released by new wave band The Pretenders. "Message of Love" and "Talk of the Town" were included on their second album released later in the year. "Porcelain" and "Cuban Slide", outtakes from the first album, were included on the 2006 remastered edition of Pretenders, as well...
, in March 1981. Their second album, Pretenders II, was released a scant two months later, to mixed critical reception, partly because two of the better songs on the album had been previously released, and partly because many of the songs were viewed as overly-similar (though not quite as groundbreaking) to the band's debut. Nevertheless, several of the album's songs became hits and the album has increased in critical stature with time.
The album is notable for the inclusion of a cover of The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
' "I Go to Sleep
I Go to Sleep
"I Go to Sleep" was covered by The Pretenders and released as the fifth single from their second studio album Pretenders II. The song was later included on the Pretenders' compilation album The Singles...
" (they had covered that band's "Stop Your Sobbing" on their debut album, and band leader Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
would have a personal relationship with Kinks' frontman Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
), as well as the sexually-forward tunes "Bad Boys Get Spanked" and "The Adultress". Perhaps the album's most ambitious track, "Day After Day" spins a common second-album narrative of unaccustomed celebrity, with the band rushing from gig to gig, hotel to hotel, head-spun from the swiftness of it all. The song ends suddenly, mid-guitar-solo, with the sound of a crashing fighter plane. The song "Louie, Louie" is an original composition and not a version of identically titled and often covered song by Richard Berry.
The album would be the final release from the original lineup of the band, as shortly afterwards the band would be fractured by the drug abuse that would take the life of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott
James Honeyman-Scott
James Honeyman-Scott , commonly referred to as "Jimmy", was an English rock guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the band The Pretenders....
, leading to a long recording hiatus.
Twenty years after its release, it was certified gold (500,000 sold) in 2001.
This is the first album to be released while their producer, Chris Thomas was working with Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
.
Rhino released a re-mastered edition of Pretenders II in 2006, including with it a second disc of live tracks and outtakes. On disc two, tracks 1-3, 5-6, 8-13, and 15 originally appeared as a Warner Bros. promotional live album, Pretenders Live at the Santa Monica Civic, from 1982. Tracks 4 and 14 appeared as b-sides to the single release of "I Go to Sleep". Tracks 14 and 16-18 are previously unreleased.
The front cover portrait was photographed by Gavin Cochrane.
Track listing
All tracks by Chrissie HyndeChrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
unless otherwise noted.
- "The Adultress" – 3:55
- "Bad Boys Get Spanked" – 4:04
- "Message of Love" – 3:26
- "I Go to SleepI Go to Sleep"I Go to Sleep" was covered by The Pretenders and released as the fifth single from their second studio album Pretenders II. The song was later included on the Pretenders' compilation album The Singles...
" (Ray DaviesRay DaviesRay Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
) – 2:55 - "Birds of Paradise" – 4:14
- "Talk of the Town" – 2:45
- "Pack It Up" (Hynde, James Honeyman-ScottJames Honeyman-ScottJames Honeyman-Scott , commonly referred to as "Jimmy", was an English rock guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the band The Pretenders....
) – 3:50 - "Waste Not Want Not" – 3:43
- "Day After Day" (Hynde, Honeyman-Scott) – 3:45
- "Jealous Dogs" – 5:36
- "The English Roses" – 4:28
- "Louie Louie" – 3:30
Bonus disc, 2006 remastered edition:
Tracks 1-15 were recorded live at the Santa Monica Civic Center, Santa Monica, California, on September 4, 1981.
- "The Wait" (live) (Hynde, Farndon) – 3:23
- "The Adultress" (live) – 4:07
- "Message of Love" (live) – 3:28
- "Louie Louie" (live) – 3:50
- "Talk of the Town" (live) – 3:27
- "Birds of Paradise" (live) – 4:27
- "The English Roses" (live) – 4:51
- "Up the Neck" (live) – 6:16
- "Bad Boys Get Spanked" (live) – 3:19
- "Stop Your Sobbing" (live) (Ray DaviesRay DaviesRay Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
) – 3:46 - "Private Life" (live) – 7:04
- "Kid" (live) – 3:48
- "Day After Day" (live) (Hynde, Honeyman Scott) – 4:41
- "Brass in Pocket" (live) (Hynde, Honeyman Scott) – 3:28
- "Higher and Higher" (live) (Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, Carl Smith) – 4:24
- "Talk of the Town" (FreeRange Studio demo, 21 December 1979)
- "I Go to Sleep" (guitar version) (Ray DaviesRay DaviesRay Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
) – 2:59 - "Pack It Up" (radio mix) (Hynde, Honeyman Scott) – 3:50
Personnel
- Chrissie HyndeChrissie HyndeChristine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, lead vocals - Pete FarndonPete FarndonPete Farndon was an English bassist and founding member of the rock band The Pretenders. Farndon attended Hereford Cathedral School in his home town of Hereford, before embarking on his musical legacy with The Pretenders...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Martin ChambersMartin ChambersMartin Chambers is the drummer in the rock band, The Pretenders. In addition to playing the drums with the group Chambers sings backing vocals and plays percussion...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, backing vocals - James Honeyman-ScottJames Honeyman-ScottJames Honeyman-Scott , commonly referred to as "Jimmy", was an English rock guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the band The Pretenders....
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, backing vocals
Additional personnel
- Chris Mercer – tenor saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
- Henry LowtherHenry Lowther (musician)Henry Lowther is an English jazz trumpeter.Lowther's first experience was on cornet in a Salvation Army band. He studied violin briefly at the Royal Academy of Music but returned to trumpet by 1960 though he sometimes played violin professionally...
– trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... - Jim Wilson – trumpet
- Geoff BryantGeoff BryantGeoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club....
– French horn - Chris ThomasChris Thomas (record producer)Chris Thomas is an English record producer who has worked extensively with The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Roxy Music, Badfinger, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Pulp and The Pretenders. He has also produced breakthrough albums for The Sex Pistols and INXS.Thomas is quoted as saying -Early life:Thomas was...
- sound effects
Charts
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Pop Albums | 10 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "The Adultress" | Mainstream Rock | 12 |
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – USA | Gold | September 26, 2001 |