I’m returning to my top 50 favorite rock bands. In this video series, I’m identifying the best three albums by each band. This blog is for band #45 – The Pretenders.
Criteria for selecting the best three albums
Here are the three criteria I use to create this list. First, the band has to have released at least three albums. The Pretenders have released a ton of records. At this point, I also want to mention their last two are particularly good although they did not make the top three. Second Greatest Hits albums are allowed. The pretenders have an excellent one called The Singles. I did not include it because there are better records. Third, no live albums are allowed. Once again The Pretenders actually have several good ones.
The third-best album by this band is Get Close
The third-best Pretenders album is Get Close. I actually own this one on vinyl. It’s got some great songs like “My Baby”, “Chill Factor”, and “Don’t Get me Wrong”. Lots of great music on this record.
The second-best Pretenders album is their debut
The Pretender’s second-best album is their landmark debut. It was monumental because this is a guitar-based band led by a woman. Chrissie Hynde is the voice of the genius behind it. It was pretty rare back then to have a woman leading this kind of band. Once again I have this on vinyl. Popular songs on this record include “Stop Your Sobbing”, “Brass in Pocket” and “Mystery Achievement”. There are a ton of hit songs on this album.
The best album by The Pretenders is Learning to Crawl
Their best album is Learning to Crawl. Yes, I own it on vinyl. Talk about an album that just is chock full of hit songs. It includes “Middle of the Road”, “Back on the Chain Gang”, “Time the Avenger”, “Thumbelina”, and “My City was Gone”. The Pretenders just hit it out of the park with this record.
There you have it – the three best Pretenders albums. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
I am Doug Keating and this is my letter to my sons.