I am not Pretending! Ode to The Pretenders and Chrissy Hynde

Today the song Special by Garbage came on.  

I like them, I like their lyrics, the sound, etc.   I know Shirley Manson has covered some Chrissy Hynde/Pretenders songs.  But, giving this a millionth listen, it totally dawned on me how this song is an ode to The Pretenders with lines like "I thought you were special" and "we were the talk of the town."  I guess you would have to really know The Pretenders songs.

Here is what I mean:

 Special Listen to the last few seconds.  Right out of Brass in Pocket and Talk of the Town

I can see Chrissy's influence on Shirley.  Shirley does it well.  Some people do not...and lots have tried.

 I'll Stand By You

Carrie Underwood  I like Carrie, but not this one.  Too sweetie pie for me.   This is an anthem of a generation for god's sake.  I am angry, but I love you.

Shakira -live. Hmmm, gives such a different meaning to it.  This is about a couple, not the world, for me at least.  I am not buying it.

We are HUGE Pretenders fans.  At one time Rob and I searched high and low for this song by Moodswings that featured Chrissy Hynde.  It took us months to figure it out, this was before the internet.

Just beautiful.  It still gives me the chills. We listen to it even now.

I believe that Chrissy brought Rob and I closer over the years.  Remember mixed tapes?  Ha ha.  Here is one he put on an early mixed tape for me, among other ones: Breakfast In Bed.

Now on to something totally different and irrelevant...shocking from me, I know.

You know that song Proud Mary?  Well, I hate it.  So many people have covered it and it was not so good to begin with.  One time when I was in Vegas with Kelly and Belinda, we saw it up on a stage at The Rio, and man...was it cheesy!  That sealed the deal for me.  I hated it even more.  I have to clarify something though.  I know all the words to it, sing it loudly when it comes on and make a general fool of myself-a la Tina Turner- in the spirit of it's cheesyness.  My kids crack up when I do this and I do try to get a laugh.

Tina & Ike Tina Then

Tina all wound up 20+ years later, with the same intro too! Tina now

Beyonce is Rollin' as Tina and Prez Bush look on with an ode to the intro even! Bee being Tina

But, can I have that Beyonce hair!  Wow.

Tina & Beyonce together!  Tina and Co.  Beyonce even stepped on Tina's foot--there is coverage, but you go find the link.

Taking it such a different way now.

Creedence Clearwater Revival (who, by the way, I am not a huge fan of, but then, is anyone anymore?)  Thank God they do not have the same intro as Tina. Hmmmm John Fogerty has his own solo versions too...You get the point.

If you really love it, catch it on some goofy stage in Las Vegas.

I WON TIX TO AVENUE Q.  It was great.  Puppet sex...not so much.  lol.  If you get a chance to see it (free is better) go.

Gay  If you were gay from the show.

Idol-Hollywood Week starts-enough said.  Full recap next week?  Let me know.