“We don’t have to fade to black, let the sun come in” – The Pretenders, “Let The Sun Come In”

As I mentioned in my last post, my playlist with songs about Flying, I took a small break from B&V… call it a vacation. I spent most of that time away from music, although I did find myself drawn to a number of live albums which included The Who’s latest live disc recorded with an orchestra and the Pink Floyd live performance of Dark Side of the Moon from 50 years ago. Admittedly, I’ve been a little out of what’s currently happening. While I was out tilting at windmills, some new music has emerged. And none of it excites me as much as the new single from the Pretenders (Chrissie Hynde, vocals/guitar; Martin Chambers, as always, drums; James Walbourne, guitars; Nick Wilkinson, bass), “Let The Sun Come In.” It may be my summer jam this year. Any tune that has the lyrics, “We don’t have to get fat, we don’t have to get old” is going to resonate with me. 

I’ll admit I’ve been a fan of the Pretenders since the very first album, The Pretenders, in 1979. I was in 9th grade and I can still remember this really pretty girl with wild, dirty blonde hair in study hall. They let us play rock n roll in study hall and the Pretenders’ track “Brass In Pocket” came on while this young lady strutted up to the refreshment window to get a Coke. It wasn’t love I was feeling but that young girl evoked something terribly visceral in me. She may be long gone without even knowing I existed, but she certainly made sure that the Pretenders’ song stuck with me.

Due to some band tragedy – original members John Honeyman Scott (lead guitar) and Pete Farndon (bass) both died after the second LP – the Pretenders career has been a bit up and down. They’ve always seemed to be out there making a righteous riotous sound. Every so often a track would hit my ear. After Learning to Crawl, their third LP, I became more of a “greatest hits” kind of fan, merely tracking the occasional single. But my interest in this band was completely reignited with the raucous 2020 LP Hate For Sale. If you haven’t checked that one out yet, do so post haste.

I was so enamored with Hate For Sale I picked up the Chrissie Hynde solo LP of Dylan covers, Standing In The Doorway. I reviewed that LP and actually had a reader comment that he thought it “sucked.” It was a complete departure from the usual rock sound of the Pretenders – which is typically the point of a solo album, get outside your comfort zone and do something different – and that’s why I liked it. But I understand, acoustic Dylan covers aren’t for everybody. I think Hynde is one of the most important women in rock n roll. Hynde recorded that Dylan covers album over Zoom during the pandemic with Pretenders lead guitarist James Walbourne. The upcoming LP, Relentless, was apparently written in the same manner. They were on a roll, so why stop?

This first single, “Let The Sun Come In” is, for me, the perfect summer song. The track starts with a great little guitar figure from Walbourne and Martin Chambers’ drums drive the track forward. Great little guitar solo with some unhinged harmonica as well! It’s all about not getting old and grumpy… “let the sun come in.” I love the lyrics, “To live forever, that’s the plan, the oldest living mortal man. It’s all upbeat with a great summer message, “Think big or think big things, It ain’t illegal, Open up and spread your wings, Fly like an eagle…” Let the sun come in, indeed. Cherish every day and keep pushing forward, baby. I can’t wait to crank this while I’m basting in the sun with a cold beer in my hand. Here’s the track:

I can’t wait for this new album. Chrissie and the boys just keep rocking and I’m here for it. If you’re out there and you’re adding up the years, don’t let the darkness cover you… don’t stand in your yard shaking your fist at a cloud. “We don’t have to fade to black…” Stand in your yard pumping your fist along to this song… maybe spill a little beer and jump around. It won’t kill you. I’m still relatively young and I plan on aging as gracelessly as I can…

Cheers!