"BRASS IN POCKET" THE PRETENDERS (1979)

For Women’s History Month, I’m selecting some of my favorite songs from some of the most talented and influential women in music. From frontwomen to singer-songwriters to iconic performers, I’m picking one song a day on Mental Jukebox until the end of March.

When I think of all the frontwomen in rock & roll, Chrissie Hynde is the quintessential example. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Hynde played a lead role without stealing the spotlight. You can hear it in the classic, “Brass in Pocket”. Hynde’s edge is exactly on par with the attitude of the guitar riff and the punk posture of the bass. No one member is overpowering the other. And rather than blending all the sounds together, the production emphasized the clarity of each individual track. It’s a beautiful thing.

“Got motion, restrained emotion. Been driving, Detroit leaning.”