Message of Love

Pretenders

About Message of Love

"Message of Love" is a song written by Chrissie Hynde and performed by the Pretenders. Released first as a single and then on the Pretenders' 1981 EP Extended Play, it was later re-released on the band's 1981 album Pretenders II. A band effort largely composed in the studio, the song was a radio hit and reached number 11 in the United Kingdom. It has since been praised by critics as a highlight of Pretenders II.


Year:
2011
3:46
95 

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I went back to Ohio
But my city was gone
There was no train station
There was no downtown
South howard had disappeared
All my favorite places
My city had been pulled down
Reduced to parking spaces
A, O, way to go Ohio

Well I went back to Ohio
But my family was gone
I stood on the back porch
There was nobody home
I was stunned and amazed
My childhood memories
Slowly swirled past
Like the wind through the trees
A, O, oh way to go Ohio

I went back to Ohio
But my pretty countryside
Had been paved down the middle
By a government that had no pride
The farms of Ohio
Had been replaced by shopping malls
And muzak filled the air
From Seneca to Cuyahoga falls
Said, A, O, oh way to go Ohio

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Pretenders

The Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band comprised initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Farndon (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Martin Chambers (drums, backing vocals, percussion). The band has experienced drug-related deaths of the members, and numerous subsequent personnel changes have taken place over the years, with Hynde and Chambers as the remaining original members. more »

3 fans

Written by: Chrissie Hynde

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band Background
"Message of Love" is a song by "The Pretenders", a rock band formed in 1978. The band was originally composed of Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Pete Farndon (bass guitar, backing vocals), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals), and Martin Chambers (drums, backing vocals).
Album Information
The song first featured on their second album "Pretenders II" released in 1981. This album was a follow-up to the band's highly successful debut album, "Pretenders" released in 1979.
Single Release
"Message of Love" was released as a single in the United States and peaked at #5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock tracks chart.
Song Theme
This song carries a strong message of unity and love. It's lyrical content speaks principally about the desire to disseminate or share love.
Chart Performance
In the UK, the song reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart when released as a single in 1981.
Critical Reception
The song was well received by critics with AllMusic marking it as one of the highlights of the "Pretenders II" album.
Enigmatic Lyrics
There has been much debate over the meaning of some portions of the lyrics. The line "we are all of us in the gutter / but some of us are looking at the stars" is a quote from Oscar Wilde's play "Lady Windermere’s Fan."
Live Performance
Although "Message of Love" was released in the early 80s, it remains a staple in The Pretenders' live sets to this day.
Recording Details
The song was recorded at Wessex Studios in London, an iconic music recording studio where bands like Queen, The Clash, and The Sex Pistols had recorded.
Music Video
A black and white music video was made for the song which features the band performing in a small studio space. It became a popular video on the then new MTV channel.

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