Pretenders

Album: Dead Throne (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Vocalist Mike Hrancia discussed the song's lyrical content with Alternative Press: "Lyrically, the song is bitter. It's aimed at bands I don't like, bands that are super unoriginal and have no substance, [and] people that jump on trends - which is why it's called 'Pretenders.' All the songs have a very personal identity, which is why I've been able to rant about them for so long, but 'Pretenders' has a very specific identity to me personally as far as having ideas. It definitely has that power and strength behind it."
  • Guitarist Chris Rubey told Alternative Press: "I play 'Pretenders' on a seven-string guitar. We kind of went through and picked the heaviest [songs] and said, "These ones are going to be the heaviest ones, let's tune them the lowest."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.