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The Pretenders — Message Of Love
Album: Pretenders II
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2686









Released: 1981
Length: 3:23
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Now the reason we're here
As man and woman
Is to love each other
Take care of each other
When love walks in the room
Everybody stand up
Oh it's good, good, good
Like brigitte bardot

Now look at the people
In the streets, in the bars
We are all of us in the gutter
But some of us are looking at the stars
Look round the room
Life is unkind
We fall but we keep gettin' up
Over and over and over and over and over and over

Me and you, every night, every day
We'll be together always this way
Your eyes are blue like the heavens above
Talk to me darlin' with a message of love

Now the reason we're here
Every man, every woman
Is to help each other
Stand by each other
When love walks in the room
Everybody stand up
Oh it's good, good good
Say I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you

Talk to me darlin'
Comments (321)add comment
Definitive proclamation attempt #1,374:  

     No, THIS is the best song ever!!
Anthem?!
 Montreal_Mort wrote:

Absolutely LOVE the back beat drumming!! Martin just kills it!!




Yes! Big time!  Along with that walking bass line!  Thanx RP!  
brilliant way to end the work day this friday. Shining Star by EWF into this by the Pretenders. YES YES YES.
 TheKing2 wrote:

It's a pity there are no negative rating numbers ....


And yet your occupation is a ripoff of one of their early songs.
 jim15 wrote:

"We are all of us in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars."
Oscar Wilde

Great song! Great!



I only recently learned that they didn't like that lyric.
 jim15 wrote:

"We are all of us in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars."
Oscar Wilde

Great song! Great!


I learned something today! 

"We are all of us in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars."
Oscar Wilde

Great song! Great!
Radio Paradise, this is telepathy! I was thinking of this song a few hours ago.
 Montreal_Mort wrote:

Absolutely LOVE the back beat drumming!! Martin just kills it!!




I agree!! ..And I also love that walking bass line!!
My first Valentine's Day with my boyfriend (now husband), we showed up at the Fillmore in San Francisco and tried to get tickets for the Pretenders. But it was sold-out. I went to the KFC on the corner with my books, as I was in law school at the time, and not ten minutes later he comes back with two tickets. And, to top it off, I won the poster for the show, signed by the band (there's a raffle at every show, with proceeds going to the Bill Graham Foundation). 
 PopKombo wrote:
when love walks in the room everybody stand up oh it's good, good, good like
Bridget Bardot

You mean it isn't "like greasy butter"? damn...all these years....
 justin4kick wrote:


No, it's a pity that there are listeners that want to give negative rating numbers. To any song played here.



I AGREE!! They are probably miserable people, that wonder why nobody wants to talk with them!
Absolutely LOVE the back beat drumming!! Martin just kills it!!
 eileenomurphy wrote:

I love that walking bass line!




ME TOO!!!
 TheKing2 wrote:

It's a pity there are no negative rating numbers ....



No, it's a pity that there are listeners that want to give negative rating numbers. To any song played here.
I love that walking bass line!
 rock_a_rolla wrote:
I C O N  I C !



You bet!!
Had a buddy from London staying with me and the gang at the SF commune when the San Francisco State College Radio premiered this song for us. I can STILL remember throwing myself around the house and howling at the ecstatic joy of the song... Great Days!
🥸🥸🥸🥸
Someone a few songs ago wanted more profound lyrics.  Here you go
 Far wrote:


If she lived in Hollywood, she would still look the same - privatised medicine you know :)
 
Lets see you at 80 


I C O N  I C !
Saw the very last show of the original four in Oakland. Small place; on the floor dancing. OMG the were tight
 PopKombo wrote:
https://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/9/21/1253554603150/Brigitte-Bardot-in-And-Go-001.jpgwhen love walks in the room everybody stand up oh it's good, good, good like
Bridget Bardot



 

 Dj_Yonke wrote:
 
I wonder where Claudia Winkelman got her look from...?
 Proclivities wrote:
 TerryS wrote:
bbBridget, you say. 


Well, she is 80 years old - and her name is spelled "Brigitte".
Great tune.
 

If she lived in Hollywood, she would still look the same - privatised medicine you know :)


         PETE  FARNDON 
                        and                            
JAMES  HONEYMAN  SCOTT

           



 idiot_wind wrote:
Listen to this. The RP previous song was some tripe by Arcade Fire.

What more contrast do ya need?   

 
Yeah, compare that 7.4 average rating with that 7.4 average rating.  Clearly nobody likes The Pretenders.
Listen to this. The RP previous song was some tripe by Arcade Fire.

What more contrast do ya need?   
35 years ago, I was in love with Chrissie. {#Roflol}
a lot of Pretenders and Chrissie lately
that's good,  
 
isch liäb disch immer noch Chrisssiiii
That needs a Thanksgiving bump. That's simple but meaningful, shoe-thumpin sing along rock and roll. 
8 > 9.  
The Pretenders have better songs.
 TerryS wrote:

bb

Bridget, you say. 


Well, she is 80 years old - and her name is spelled "Brigitte".
Great tune.

Bridget, you say.


Heavy indeed. Sid Vicious called her the greatest.
 
So heavy.
Bill, I don't think that was Alt-J.

Unless they're...pretending
Heard her new single this week.  Something dreadful has happened.
What a heavy groove.
Chills.
Before they took her hometown away and she got all pouty. Go Chrissie!!
great album!
https://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/9/21/1253554603150/Brigitte-Bardot-in-And-Go-001.jpgwhen love walks in the room everybody stand up oh it's good, good, good like
Bridget Bardot



Takes me back to my first car, VW Bettle , wbhen summers were long and I had no cares..... Top tune. 
 
 {#Dance}
*throws audio system across room against wall and hopes the time it takes to replace it will be long enough for The Pretenders song to be over*
 +1


Keef wrote:
The average rating speaks for itself.  The first 2 Pretenders albums are classics.

 


Can't possibly sit still and be listening to this song, no way!  Those drums, that voice, that wild sexy slinky syncopation thing they do 'sGOOD GOOD GOOD Yeah I loveya I loveya I loveya                -- ROCK IT ON, Chrissie!
Oh yeah, chair dancing! Great song.
{#Dancingbanana} 
The average rating speaks for itself.  The first 2 Pretenders albums are classics.
 TheKing2 wrote:
It's a pity there are no negative rating numbers ....

 

I fully understand that people's musical tastes differ, and I try to accept without passing judgment that some people will dislike songs that I really like and vice-versa.  Still.....every once in a while I gotta wonder, as in this case, what benighted planet is this guy from?
It's a pity there are no negative rating numbers ....

Bridget Bardot! - I love you, I love you, I love you.....


 kurtster wrote:

Friends don't let friends listen to Clear Channel.


 
Awesome, and I'm not even in the broadcast range of Clear Channel!! (Nope, none of 'em!)

Kurtster, you should print that up as a bumper sticker!
So much negativity in these posts .... loved Chrissie Hynde then, love her now. Pretenders music was a breath of fresh air in a sea of 80's synthesized crap. One of the few female rockers from that time who stands with a *unique* sound. 
 Foot wrote:

Agreed, but this is one of their worst tracks ever...30+ years later, it isn't getting better w/ age.

 

There are many worse Pretenders tracks than this one.  This is probably left over from the first album but didn't fit  because of the space allowed on vinyl.  It has much of the feeling of those songs.  The first album bleeds Cleveland.  This song has that quality and stands up well over time with that thought in mind.
 LowPhreak wrote:
The best Pretenders albums were their first 2, before they lost Honeyman-Scott and Farndon.

 
Agreed, but this is one of their worst tracks ever...30+ years later, it isn't getting better w/ age.
The best Pretenders albums were their first 2, before they lost Honeyman-Scott and Farndon.
She's da bomb.  Still.  Probably always.
PSD.....please......{#Beat}
 Charlie_rijsel wrote:
Distressingly bad. Please make them all go away back to the 80s where they belong{#Frown}
 

{#Beat}

Chrissie Hynde inhabits the short list of the greatest women rockers, nay, rockers of all-time. Shame her brilliance escapes you. You'll be happy to know that, unlike The Pretenders,  Muse is probably out on tour somewhere right now.
 johnjconn wrote:


Shirley Manson
Alanis Morisette
Patti Smith

 
Kate Bush, Aimie Mann, Patty Larkin, Joan Osborne, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Kathleen Edwards, the list goes on.....
Distressingly bad. Please make them all go away back to the 80s where they belong{#Frown}
This takes me back
Love this band
THE voice of the 80s. 
No One Can SING this way when she sang that way!
 kingart wrote:
When a great song walks in the room, everybody stand up! 
 
.....bouncing............
one of he best live bands around (love them)
What a drummer!
{#Dancingbanana_2}
 kingart wrote:
When a great song walks in the room, everybody stand up! 
 

 fingerpin wrote:
The reason we're here... :)
 
to take care of each other...
It's so good!
When a great song walks in the room, everybody stand up! 
 lemmoth wrote:


Stop listening to the bloody radio and don't deny those of us who only listen to RP - and our own collections - the opportunity to occasionally here great great great songs that happened to be played on the bloody radio a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Perhaps he should have rephrased that in the past tense. I am still sick of constant airplay songs from 30 years ago!!!  I have not listened to commercial radio since the 90s as I would gather most sophisticated music listeners would not have either with the advent and proliferation of wonderful college radio.
I initially rated this a 9. What was I thinking? {#Arrowu} 10.
Solid 10++++++++++
NOW the caffeine is kicking in..... gonna be a good morning!
 stevetheshoe wrote:
Kind of silly all of the complaints of overplay on "regular" radio. If you didn't listen to "regular" radio that would not be a problem.
 
Many people do not have much of a choice - especially while driving or on the job.  However, when I do (grudgingly) listen to "popular music" or "regular" radio, I hear a lot of Eagles, Journey, Elton John, Tom Petty, etc., but I rarely hear this song.


Love it....keep on playing it.
Good music from the 80'

NICE!
Man, this set sounds like a cassette tape I mixed in the 80s! Lovin' it. :)
 Seconded - this song epitomizes C. H.'s amazing stuff.  I gotta say, it made the end of my day to hear this one.  I feel so much better now, thank you.

pomalley wrote:

yeah... what he said.  I agree.  Stop listening to the bloody radio!
 


 lemmoth wrote:


Stop listening to the bloody radio and don't deny those of us who only listen to RP - and our own collections - the opportunity to occasionally here great great great songs that happened to be played on the bloody radio a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
yeah... what he said.  I agree.  Stop listening to the bloody radio!
 CasaE wrote:
Stop playing this song! It's already played enough on the radio! Don't play it ever again on RP!{#Frustrated}
 

Stop listening to the bloody radio and don't deny those of us who only listen to RP - and our own collections - the opportunity to occasionally here great great great songs that happened to be played on the bloody radio a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wish I would never have to hear that again.
It's funny - when I think of excellent living female rock n roll singers (we're not talking Adult Alternative), Chrissie is the only one that comes to mind (though I am sure that I am missing someone).

 stevetheshoe wrote:
Kind of silly all of the complaints of overplay on "regular" radio. If you didn't listen to "regular" radio that would not be a problem.
 
Friends don't let friends listen to Clear Channel.

Kind of silly all of the complaints of overplay on "regular" radio. If you didn't listen to "regular" radio that would not be a problem.
 apd wrote:
Save it for Later into Message of Love is one of the great seques. Nice job, Bill.
 

Yes it is.
Just not a big fan of them, sorry...
<3 Chrissy
I like The Pretenders, even saw one of their very 1st shows in the US, but this track is in serious danger of overplay on RP.  I'd dial back on the rotation.
I never tire of The Pretenders, no matter how many times they're played on the radio.  The songs seem as fresh as they did when they were new.
...some of us are lookin at the stars  
The reason we're here... :)
Save it for Later into Message of Love is one of the great seques. Nice job, Bill.
 LowPhreak wrote:
Yes, Melissa really belts it out on those, but Chrissie is THE rockin'est chick singer in the whole fuckin universe. 
Yes sah! {#Dancingbanana_2}
The Pretenders are one of my favourit groups. I remember 1979 "Brass in Pocket" i heard it nearly every day at Radio AFN-Frankfurt. From 1979 to June 1980 this was my at the army.....For all fans of the Pretenders buy the 4 CD Compilation"Pirate Radio" Pretenders from 1979-2005

Perhaps you both need some more love in your life...try dancing!

 
mirland wrote:

Seconded.
 



 johnjconn wrote:
Dead guys, please step to the rear.

 
{#Lol}  Good one!

annoying...
 GT66 wrote:
Another innocent victim of Clear Channel. If I never heard another Pretenders "hit" again I'd still have heard three lifetimes worth.
 

I agree for some reason though they did not destroy this one for me, but the rest of their "popular" tunes, yes, sadly, yes.
Another innocent victim of Clear Channel. If I never heard another Pretenders "hit" again I'd still have heard three lifetimes worth.
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
Boy does this take me back to the early 80s!!
 
Yes, today is 80s day!!

Everybody stand up! You heard the woman.

Boy does this take me back to the early 80s!!
I want to send a message of love to RP listeners.
 CasaE wrote:
Stop playing this song! It's already played enough on the radio! Don't play it ever again on RP!{#Frustrated}
 
Seconded.
Stop playing this song! It's already played enough on the radio! Don't play it ever again on RP!{#Frustrated}
ziakut wrote:
What an odd, dumb, irritating song....but...I admit...I like it. Chrissy Hynde is an under rated band leader...singer. Definitely has her place in Rock history.
Odd? Check. Irritating? Individual results may vary. Dumb? Any song containing an Oscar Wilde quote cracked a book somewhere along the way.

I like it, too.


What an odd, dumb, irritating song....but...I admit...I like it. Chrissy Hynde is an under rated band leader...singer. Definitely has her place in Rock history.
 That_SOB wrote:


Adding Bonnie, Tracey, Aretha, Grace (for her pioneering work) & Patsy Cline.

 

Agreed!
How 'bout Wanda Jackson?


 zenhead wrote:
i just saw the pretenders on the "later with jools holland" show. she's lost a little of the edge from her voice, but they still rock. she's one of my all time favorite vocalists and writers. i once went sailing with her (and a bunch of other people) on the charles river in boston, but unfortunately didn't recognize her until it was too late.

 
Betcha that based on your mental state at the time, you might not have even recognized you!

 apd wrote:

Oscar + Chrissie + feckin  = 8? I was expecting more. C'mon Fred, you can do better than that...

 

Fred is leading the campaign against grade inflation.
 bpkengor wrote:

I concur that ranking is not really possible.  It is all a matter of individual tastes as all of us RP posters will concur.  But i was forced to rank female rock and roll singers, Melissa would likely not even make my top 20.     To my ears, she is melodramatic and way oversings in a Michael Bolton kind of way.  For me, there is something not authentic about her.  And yes, I've heard those Melissa songs and many others.   Chrissy, Exene, Janis, Annie Lennox, Ashley Cleveland, Joan Armatrading, & such are much stronger voices for this humble listener. 
 

Adding Bonnie, Tracey, Aretha, Grace (for her pioneering work) & Patsy Cline.

 rjewyo wrote:

I can sympathize (you living in Oxnard)...living in the beautiful Ventura!  BTW, they're great

 
Pah!  Those places are metropoli compared to Santa Paula and Fillmore!