Formed in 1978 in London, the original band Hynde, lead and rhythm guitarist James Honeyman-Scott (died 1982), bassist Pete Farndon (died 1983), and drummer Martin Chambers. Save for Hynde, a native of Akron, Ohio, the original band members were all from the U.K. This band was fractured by the drug-related deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon. Since then, numerous subsequent personnel changes have taken place over the years, with Hynde as the sole constant.
With Hynde at the helm, the band experienced a critical resurgence with a trio of albums released between the mid-90s and early 00s that explored a more mature side of the band’s classic sound.
In 2008, the Pretenders' album Break Up the Concrete was released through Shangri-La Music. It was the band's first Top 40 album in the US in 22 years.
In September 2012, as part of the entertainment line-up for the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix, the Pretenders re-grouped with Hynde and Chambers from the original line-up, along with Nick Wilkinson, James Walbourne and Eric Heywood.
Back On The Chain Gang
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What hijacked my world that night
To a place in the past
We've been cast out of? Oh oh oh oh
Now we're back in the fight
We're back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang
The phone, the TV and the news of the world
Got in the house like a pigeon from hell, oh oh oh oh
Threw sand in our eyes and descended like flies
Put us back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang
The powers that be
That force us to live like we do
Bring me to my knees
When I see what they've done to you
But I'll die as I stand here today
Knowing that deep in my heart
They'll fall to ruin one day
For making us part
I found a picture of you, oh oh oh oh
Those were the happiest days of my life
Like a break in the battle was your part, oh oh oh oh
In the wretched life of a lonely heart
Now we're back on the train
Oh, back on the chain gang
The Pretenders' hit song Back On The Chain Gang describes the journey of a person who came across a picture of a past love and how it triggered a flood of memories. The song highlights the struggles of two people who were cast out of a place in the past and have since been fighting to regain their position. The lyrics suggest that the couple's breakup was beyond their control as it was caused by external circumstances like the news and media that infiltrated their lives to the point where they were blinded to their problems. The line "Now we're back in the fight, we're back on the train, oh back on the chain gang" suggests that the duo is now ready to fight for their love and will not let external influences break them apart.
The song also criticizes the tyranny of the powers-that-be who force people to live the way they do. Chrissie Hynde, the band's lead singer, lamented how society's expectations had ruined her relationship. She sings, "But I'll die as I stand here today, knowing that deep in my heart, they'll fall to ruin one day, for making us part." These lines suggest that both parties believed they could have had a better relationship, but external factors were too powerful to fight against.
The song's lyrics also discuss the joy and happiness that the past lover brought into their lives with the line, "Those were the happiest days of my life." The chorus repeats the line, "Back on the chain gang," which symbolizes the cycle of being pulled back into a difficult situation from which it's hard to escape.
Line by Line Meaning
I found a picture of you, oh oh oh oh
I stumbled upon a photograph of you
What hijacked my world that night
What disrupted my life that evening
To a place in the past
To a time long gone
We've been cast out of? Oh oh oh oh
We've been expelled from it
Now we're back in the fight
Now we're back in the struggle
We're back on the train
We're back on the same path
Oh, back on the chain gang
Oh, back to the same old routine
A circumstance beyond our control, oh oh oh oh
An uncontrollable situation
The phone, the TV and the news of the world
The telephone, television, and global news
Got in the house like a pigeon from hell, oh oh oh oh
Entered our home like an unwelcome bird
Threw sand in our eyes and descended like flies
Blinded us and arrived in droves
Put us back on the train
Shifted us back on to the same path
Oh, back on the chain gang
Oh, back to the same old routine
The powers that be
The people in charge
That force us to live like we do
Who compel us to live this way
Bring me to my knees
Make me submit
When I see what they've done to you
When I see how they've hurt you
But I'll die as I stand here today
But I'll remain steadfast until my last breath
Knowing that deep in my heart
With certainty in my heart
They'll fall to ruin one day
They will eventually face their downfall
For making us part
For separating us
Those were the happiest days of my life
Those were the most joyful moments I've experienced
Like a break in the battle was your part, oh oh oh oh
You were like a moment of respite in a warzone
In the wretched life of a lonely heart
In the miserable existence of a solitary soul
Now we're back on the train
Now we're back on the same path
Oh, back on the chain gang
Oh, back to the same old routine
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Christine Hynde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JF-xq6fr
I'm 56. I experienced joy when this dropped in 1982, and a very deep bittersweet melancholy watching it now. It reminds me of how much we have lost, from a time despite having mountains of troubles and terrible problems, still felt hopeful and optimistic - And so much cooler and real.
@stevenbrown8857
I'm 50 and feel the same ... life was better then
@elvisischrist
I feel exactly the same way. This was always a favorite on MTV - as with so many 1980’s songs, they were fresh, upbeat and positive. The world was ours, even for only a few seconds.
@Betweentheearthandthemoon
Same age, can't agree more.
@southernman22
It's a cool song and not about u.
@chrisfly9
You Don't Have To Be A Fucking Asshole About It WTF?!
@lynnegoesup
I'm 71, whoo hoo, and I love this song. It's a mix of sadness, fond memories, regret, but ultimately lasting love that can't be taken away. The message being Love conquers all.
@joegreatmusicfirstweir9646
The pretenders are renowne they have some great music 🎶❤️🎶❤️🎶 greatest it is all the greatest The pretenders the greatest 🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵❤️🎶🎵🎶💕
@MrMenassa1
1982 - this song is awesome!
2024 - this song still awesome!
@Vod-Kaknockers
You got that right!