# In 1979, Chrissie Hynde wrote a song that would define The Pretenders, but it never really worked for her

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1979-chrissie-hynde-wrote-a-song-that-would-define-the-pretenders-but-it-never-really-worked-for-her/
- Published: 2026-10-27T09:57:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-27T10:25:16+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1979-chrissie-hynde-wrote-a-song-that-would-define-the-pretenders-but-it-never-really-worked-for-her/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Hynde initially disliked the Pretenders’ biggest hit.
- Honeyman-Scott’s riff sparked the song.
- ‘Brass in Pocket’ topped the UK chart.

## Summary

The Pretenders’ ‘Brass in Pocket’ became the band’s best-known song and a major hit, but Chrissie Hynde initially disliked it. Her reservations centred on its sound and meaning, while its success made it a defining part of the group’s early career.

Written in 1979, the song grew from guitarist James Honeyman-Scott’s riff, which Hynde recorded on a small tape recorder. She changed an early lyric from “you’re special” to “I’m special” and drew the title from a phrase meaning having money. The single reached number one in the UK and 14 in the US; Hynde later said she enjoys performing it and values its connection to Honeyman-Scott, who died in 1982.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.