The Pretenders – Brass In Pocket

Few songs announce a band’s personality quite as confidently as The Pretenders’ “Brass In Pocket”. Released in 1979 as the group’s debut single, it combined Chrissie Hynde’s cool, distinctive vocal with a lean rock arrangement and a wonderfully understated sense of swagger. The song was written by Hynde and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, with producer Chris Thomas helping to shape its crisp, uncluttered sound.

The title refers to money in your pocket, while the lyrics follow a woman preparing herself for a night out and confidently deciding that she has everything she needs to attract the attention of the person she wants. There is vulnerability beneath the bravado, but Hynde delivers the words with such self-assurance that the character feels completely in control.

Musically, “Brass In Pocket” is deceptively simple. The steady rhythm section, chiming guitar and understated keyboard touches leave plenty of space for Hynde’s vocal, while the unusual phrasing of lines such as “I’m special” gives the performance its distinctive personality. Martin Chambers’ restrained drumming is particularly effective, providing a relaxed groove rather than pushing the song too hard.

The accompanying video captures the same attitude, with Hynde portraying the confident central character as she prepares for an evening out.

“Brass In Pocket” remains a brilliant example of how The Pretenders could combine rock, pop and attitude without ever sounding forced, establishing a style that was unmistakably their own.

The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 19th January 1980.