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The Pretenders — My City Was Gone
Album: Learning To Crawl
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2878









Released: 1983
Length: 5:21
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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
Way to go, Ohio

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
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The farms of Ohio had been replaced by shopping malls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
Way to go, Ohio
Comments (288)add comment
 andydanilo wrote:

What a nice bassline !




Yes!  I  Agree!
Still one of the best songs of the 80s.
What a nice bassline !
A great vibe coming off this one folks.
unclehud wrote:
Damn, I love her voice. Don't care if you guys are sick of hearing me swoon.

bruceandjenna wrote:

Swoon about Chrissie or other women too?

Well, I do swoon for perhaps a dozen other women, but my wife owns me -- heart and soul.
 tonecar wrote:
Rush was definitely one of the greatest Americans of the last 100 years. 

I'm just going to assume you're being sarcastic. 
I used to commute between San Jose, California and Columbus, Ohio. Played this song and "Goin' Back to Cali" on my mp3 player on the plane.
 kurtster wrote:

You're history is misleading and incomplete.  Chrissie gave her blessings to Limbaugh as her parents were fans of his.  They agreed on a licensing contract where the fees from Limbaugh went to PETA.

From a local just a couple of klicks away from Cuyahoga Falls.



Stop trying to give them the facts, it's a waste of time.  They won't listen.

But thanks, that is interesting, I've always wondered about it.  It's a great fcking song.  10 from me.
 antennadad wrote:
sfyi2001 wrote:

SO cool that Rush Limbaugh allowed the Pretenders to put his theme song on their record. 



My City Was Gone was recorded in 1983 and released in 1984. The insufferably pompous Rush Limbaugh and subsequent EIB Network stole (unlicensed)  the song's intro from The Pretenders after 1984.  Get your history straight.
 
You're history is misleading and incomplete.  Chrissie gave her blessings to Limbaugh as her parents were fans of his.  They agreed on a licensing contract where the fees from Limbaugh went to PETA.

From a local just a couple of klicks away from Cuyahoga Falls.
 sfyi2001 wrote:

SO cool that Rush Limbaugh allowed the Pretenders to put his theme song on their record. 



My City Was Gone was recorded in 1983 and released in 1984. The insufferably pompous Rush Limbaugh and subsequent EIB Network stole (unlicensed)  the song's intro from The Pretenders after 1984.  Get your history straight.
 BikeCoachDave wrote:

Chrissie Hynde is the female Lou Reed. She could sing the phone directory and it would be made cool.
 




I Agree!
 Jon_Lucas wrote:

I love Rush, and I love RP. And I love you too, my liberal friends.


Never was much of a fan, but I thought "Subdivisions" was one of their best songs.
 tonecar wrote:


Rush was definitely one of the greatest Americans of the last 100 years. 


Sorry.  Rush was a Canadian band.  A good one, though...
 chinacat wrote:


I'm sorry. I have always loved the Pretenders but evder since Limbaugh started using it, this particular song has been ruined for me for life. Sort of makes me cringe.



I always loved this tune!  Rush is gone ...good riddance!  I will NEVER let him ruin this tune for me!!
 sfyi2001 wrote:

SO cool that Rush Limbaugh allowed the Pretenders to put his theme song on their record. 



I'm sorry. I have always loved the Pretenders but evder since Limbaugh started using it, this particular song has been ruined for me for life. Sort of makes me cringe.
I think that's the first time I've ever heard a complete fadeout on that song.  Thanks RP for keeping it real.
 
 jef wrote:

Try "Carry Me Ohio" by Sun Kil Moon.....

thanks - great lyrics dripping with sorrow

THE OHIO GERRYMANDERED GOVERNMENT THAT HAS NO PRIDE
This is one of those songs I drop everything to turn it all the way up! Fantastic tune, dripping with sarcasm.
Try "Carry Me Ohio" by Sun Kil Moon.....
 bagadonutz wrote:

    The Rush Limbaugh intro version actually slowed down the tempo a bit.    I loved the song when it first came out.    Now when I hear it I am reminded of traveling around the southern USA for my job back in the '90s in the middle of the day and hearing the great one broadcasting from behind the golden EIB microphone.     Miss my city (grew up not far from Cleveland) and miss Rush too Regardless of politics he was one of best broadcasters ever.    At his core he was an optimist.   



The a-hole is DEAD.  Thank God!!!!
 bagadonutz wrote:

    The Rush Limbaugh intro version actually slowed down the tempo a bit.    I loved the song when it first came out.    Now when I hear it I am reminded of traveling around the southern USA for my job back in the '90s in the middle of the day and hearing the great one broadcasting from behind the golden EIB microphone.     Miss my city (grew up not far from Cleveland) and miss Rush too Regardless of politics he was one of best broadcasters ever.    At his core he was an optimist.   



Rush was definitely one of the greatest Americans of the last 100 years. 
 bethslave wrote:

Bill it's just not cool to criticize a man you disagree with politically for being overweight. This is the 'peace and love' of the Left?



The city was gone, not his tummy.   Fat fuck with no brain.
    The Rush Limbaugh intro version actually slowed down the tempo a bit.    I loved the song when it first came out.    Now when I hear it I am reminded of traveling around the southern USA for my job back in the '90s in the middle of the day and hearing the great one broadcasting from behind the golden EIB microphone.     Miss my city (grew up not far from Cleveland) and miss Rush too Regardless of politics he was one of best broadcasters ever.    At his core he was an optimist.   
This album. *sigh* yeah yeah yeah it's great, but such a huge step down from P2 and that was a mighty plummet from P1. I'm not normally a "their early stuff was better" guy but it's true sometimes.

Still Chrissie though, and that's more than most bands will ever have.
Great Tune! Great bass line!  ICONIC!
 bethslave wrote:

Bill it's just not cool to criticize a man you disagree with politically for being overweight. This is the 'peace and love' of the Left?




There is a shortage of "peace and love" on both sides of the aisle. Am I to understand from negative inference that the Right cares nothing for peace and love? But I agree, it is not relevant or persuasive to mock someone for their appearance, politics notwithstanding.
have always preferred C.Hynde's music to Patti Smith's but think they both bring something incredible to everything they do
 pshand wrote:







However, evil does have orders of magnitude... therefore making it insidious, if not fatal,  for those who would know not of such things.
Thanks rush for screwing up this song
 Stetsonman wrote:
possible the worst female singer to get recorded
 
What?!
possible the worst female singer to get recorded
Getting to play a bassline like this one is why I need to get a bass and learn to slapp it! LLRP
Funny.  Her take on her hometown feels a lot like what it is to be an American today.  Apart from those who are happy with what's happening, I think the rest of us are feeling that we went back to our country, but our country was gone.
 h8rhater wrote:

Do you get "flown over" much?
 
I don't bristle at the "flyover" portrayal of the interior of the States, I just think it should be more inclusive and include the coasts, as well.  To be fair. 
 ppopp wrote:
I wish the same could be said for your songs. The Pretenders bore me to the point of wanting to replace my back-scrubber with a box jellyfish.
 
Go to Australia - plenty of box jellyfish there to help you with species improvement

Wow. The first two verses sure lend a different meaning in a post-Covid-19 world.
Hey haters:

ya gotta admit, Rush must have good taste.

 bethslave wrote:
Bill it's just not cool to criticize a man you disagree with politically for being overweight. This is the 'peace and love' of the Left?
 

 bethslave wrote:
Bill it's just not cool to criticize a man you disagree with politically for being overweight. This is the 'peace and love' of the Left?
 
Especially when there are so many, many, many more reasons to criticize that bloated, drug-addicted, hypocritical buffoon. 
 sfyi2001 wrote:


SO cool that Rush Limbaugh allowed the Pretenders to put his theme song on their record. {#Smile}Limbaugh used it without permission and Chrissie took him to
court and won a judgement against him. But Chrissie was cool
she took $1 in punitive damages but stipulated that the fee for
use would be $100,000 a year payable to PETA, a frequent object
of Limbaugh's derision...

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.

 

 

The Pretenders. The first band I ever saw in concert. Was maybe 13, so this would have been in the early '70s. At The Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento. Chrissie in her black leather pants and top--so sexy. Great concert. Music has brought more joy into my life than anything else.
 ImaOldman wrote:

H8r, while I often agree with you, criticizing someone for illegal drug use seems a little extreme since probably 95% of RP's listening audience either does so regularly or did at some point in the lives. Just saying...
 
Perhaps, but it's unlikely many of them ever publicly declared on air and in print that illegal drug users should be imprisoned, as Limbaugh had many times.
 h8rhater wrote:

Yeah!, there are so many better reasons to criticize Rush than his gross obesity.  There's the racism.  Or, maybe, the misogyny.  Or the illegal drug use.  Or the laws broken in pursuing that drug habit.  Or the purpetual lies broadcast to millions.  Or the attacks on the disabled. 

Or... this is growing tiresome.
 
H8r, while I often agree with you, criticizing someone for illegal drug use seems a little extreme since probably 95% of RP's listening audience either does so regularly or did at some point in the lives. Just saying...
 unclehud wrote:
Damn, I love her voice.  Don't care if you guys are sick of hearing me swoon.
 
Swoon about Chrissie or other women too?
Rush ruined this song going to hit NEXT
 LowPhreak wrote:
Bill, thanks for telling the uninformed that Pretenders did not give Mr. Limpdick permission to use this tune. He just glommed it for his idiotic show.

That ought to settle it boys and girls. Now get over it!

 
Well, maybe not LowPhreak.  Rush has spoken publicly about this with much more detail than you provide with your comment.  Care to clue us in as to what you know about the situation other than, "yeah! what Bill says!" https://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2011/05/13/origins_of_the_eib_theme_song/ 

RUSH LIMBAGH IS A BIG FAT IDIOT
THIS SONG ROCKS BUT MAKES NO SENSE
RUSH ALSO MAKES NO SENSE
SO MAYBE THAT MAKES SENSE 
 h8rhater wrote:

Yeah!, there are so many better reasons to criticize Rush than his gross obesity.  There's the racism.  Or, maybe, the misogyny.  Or the illegal drug use.  Or the laws broken in pursuing that drug habit.  Or the purpetual lies broadcast to millions.  Or the attacks on the disabled. 

Or... this is growing tiresome.

 
Wahhhh, Boohoo.
 djengs wrote:
  

You know this song was quite immortal well before that pompous turd started using it, right? If you don't listen to him, you can easily enjoy this song as it is meant to be.

 

Yep... ruined.  It's currently on mute..... I also downgraded it.  Sorry Pretenders. Maybe they don't have control of their music but I'm just being honest.  The song is ruined.  Don't want to hear it again.  
 (Banned) wrote:

Lately they've been playing with the speed.  It's kind of funny...

 
The speed thing is because they compress the content to squeeze in another minute of commercials.


 bethslave wrote:
Bill it's just not cool to criticize a man you disagree with politically for being overweight. This is the 'peace and love' of the Left?

 
Yeah!, there are so many better reasons to criticize Rush than his gross obesity.  There's the racism.  Or, maybe, the misogyny.  Or the illegal drug use.  Or the laws broken in pursuing that drug habit.  Or the purpetual lies broadcast to millions.  Or the attacks on the disabled. 

Or... this is growing tiresome.
 daigoro wrote:
Really? Now the DJs here have to get political? So sick of it. Don't you know one of the reasons people come to RP is to get away from that noise?

 
Do you get "flown over" much?
I loved this song before Limpballs took it over.  Since I don't listen to the dick ever, it's still CH's song, and for all time.  I mean, what's the point?  She's fantastic and he isn't.  Doesn't that just about cover it?
Bill it's just not cool to criticize a man you disagree with politically for being overweight. This is the 'peace and love' of the Left?
 daigoro wrote:
Really? Now the DJs here have to get political? So sick of it. Don't you know one of the reasons people come to RP is to get away from that noise?

 
Oh go fuck yourself.  And there aren't DJ's here; it is only Bill and he owns it.  Don't like it, go away.
She is always sexy and on top form.
 daigoro wrote:
Really? Now the DJs here have to get political? So sick of it. Don't you know one of the reasons people come to RP is to get away from that noise?

 
If the enormous douchebag Rush Limpballs hadn't glommed the Pretenders' song for his propaganda spew, no one here would have mentioned him.
Really? Now the DJs here have to get political? So sick of it. Don't you know one of the reasons people come to RP is to get away from that noise?
Not to the big fat guy in front of the microphone. Yes! But next time tell us how you really feel !!!
Damn, I love her voice.  Don't care if you guys are sick of hearing me swoon.
 Skydog wrote:
 Rush Limbaugh has to cut Chrissie and crew a check everytime he uses it for his "theme" song, 
and then Chrissie gives those royalties to PETA, I hope Rush has to personally sign the checks 

 
Lately they've been playing with the speed.  It's kind of funny...
 kingart wrote:
Is she singing of Seneca OH to Cuyahoga Falls OH — because (according to my Rand McNally road atlas) there IS no Seneca, OH. There is a SenacaVILLE, south of Cambridge, south of the I-70 (east-west) / I 77 (north-south)  junction. Cuyahoga Falls is north of Akron on I-77. So it's a straight drive north of for a few hours — but that leaves a lot of OH west to the border of IN and east to PA (where there is a Seneca near the booming metropolis of Oil City) that according to these lyrics may not have so many shopping malls. Chrissy has childhood memories of rust belts and working stiffs and blue collar dive bar coal town humpers. 

Anyway, so long as OH and a bunch of other American states that are still somewhere in the first half of the 20th century—preventing women, voting, health care, etc.—I won't be going to or through them anytime soon.
Just sayin', Chrissy, and I'm sure you agree with me. 

 
Duh!  There is a Seneca County (they are places too) in Ohio that also contains the town of Fort Seneca. 

That being said, the area that the song describes is likely from Seneca Avenue, in southern Akron OH, to Cuyahoga Falls (on the northern border of the city).  Akron being the town Chrissie (the real spelling for Ms. Hynde's first name) is from. Imagine that.  She actually is singing about her home town.

Maybe you should try using the internets instead of your dog-eared Rand McNally.  ...or maybe just get out of your Brooklyn bubble.  That might also help you in not stereotyping ALL of the people from a particular state.  "Just sayin'" (ugh).
Nostalgia... a 10 for me, but this is completely subjective
 Spiderwoman wrote:
Question: Did Rush ever acknowledge the irony of his using this song?

 
 Skydog wrote:

Rush Limbaugh has to cut Chrissie and crew a check everytime he uses it for his "theme" song, 
and then Chrissie gives those royalties to PETA, I hope Rush has to personally sign the checks 

  
Bill, thanks for telling the uninformed that Pretenders did not give Mr. Limpdick permission to use this tune. He just glommed it for his idiotic show.

That ought to settle it boys and girls. Now get over it!
Question: Did Rush ever acknowledge the irony of his using this song?
When this starts up, I reflexively start to change the station, before realizing that Rush (who I detest) won't be following it.  Other than that, a solid 8.
Bill, love the song but it's to soon,.....
 to many Rush thoughts 

SO cool that Rush Limbaugh allowed the Pretenders to put his theme song on their record. 

 Spliff wrote:
Rush Limbaugh has ruined this song for me.

  
LawDude wrote:

He helped immortalize it.

  

You know this song was quite immortal well before that pompous turd started using it, right? If you don't listen to him, you can easily enjoy this song as it is meant to be.
I am pretty certain, that Trump will not use this song as one of his anthems at his rally. It would remind him of his failed casino in Atlantic City, NJ.{#Moon}
Rush Limbaugh ha ha ha 
 kingart wrote:
..... 

Anyway, so long as OH and a bunch of other American states that are still somewhere in the first half of the 20th century—preventing women, voting, health care, etc.—I won't be going to or through them anytime soon.
....
 
Preventing women from doing what?   Please name the states and reasons why you will stay away.  Your American co-citizens may hate you but those of us from afar are dying of curiosity.  
Is she singing of Seneca OH to Cuyahoga Falls OH — because (according to my Rand McNally road atlas) there IS no Seneca, OH. There is a SenacaVILLE, south of Cambridge, south of the I-70 (east-west) / I 77 (north-south)  junction. Cuyahoga Falls is north of Akron on I-77. So it's a straight drive north of for a few hours — but that leaves a lot of OH west to the border of IN and east to PA (where there is a Seneca near the booming metropolis of Oil City) that according to these lyrics may not have so many shopping malls. Chrissy has childhood memories of rust belts and working stiffs and blue collar dive bar coal town humpers. 

Anyway, so long as OH and a bunch of other American states that are still somewhere in the first half of the 20th century—preventing women, voting, health care, etc.—I won't be going to or through them anytime soon.
Just sayin', Chrissy, and I'm sure you agree with me. 
*Yawn*
I find myself tapping my foot to this = like = 8 for now 
 wintergaard wrote:
Love this song....can't stand the guy who uses it for a theme song.

 
Rush Limbaugh has to cut Chrissie and crew a check everytime he uses it for his "theme" song, 
and then Chrissie gives those royalties to PETA, I hope Rush has to personally sign the checks 
 Proclivities wrote: 
THANKS!  Seems like a "doable trip", as long as I don't have to listen to MUZAK the entire way.
 LawDude wrote:

He helped immortalize it.
 

 
Excellent and most true point!
Dang.  This song is well over 30 years old.  Still moves me.

Rush Limbaugh originally used it without permission, but eventually they reached a a financial agreement, and Chrissie's proceeds go to PETA.  She gave permission because Rush supported PETA against the EPA for some chemical testing issue.  Odd bedfellows.
My city looks like 3 ring circus.
 Spliff wrote:
Rush Limbaugh has ruined this song for me.

 
He helped immortalize it.
 
How sad! A classic (in both senses of the phrase){#Sunny}
 treatment_bound wrote:
Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls?  Because it seems like I could have completed the trip by the time the song ended.

 
One hour, forty-five minutes.
Best bass line this side of Talking Heads.
Alongside Pat Benatar, Chrissie's voice, IMHO, is the quintessential female rock voice (though I tend to think CH's is the cooler of the two).
None of that affected raspiness that so many wannabes do, a la Joan Jett.
Might's well just keep it rockin from R.L. to Eric to here...{#Motor}
Love this tune!
 treatment_bound wrote:
Does anyone know how long it talkes to drive from Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls?  Because it seems like I could have completed the trip by the time the song ended.
 
From Seneca, SC, Google says it would take about 9 hours.  I'd listen to it for that long.  She's that good, man.
 ppopp wrote:
Even more boring than Graham Parker's Don't Ask Me Questions. Extraordinary.The Pretenders must've fallen asleep recording this one.

 
Are you nuts? This is a great tune. Chrissy gets the inflection just right, the guitar work is good, and of course a great tempo and bass line.


Really like this song and so much of her/their work.  Which really makes me happy to hear Stockholm, her latest, and find it so gotdam good.
 kps wrote:
Let's send this out to LeBron James

 
Too late, he's back.  

And the team ain't doing very well either. 
Even more boring than Graham Parker's Don't Ask Me Questions. Extraordinary.The Pretenders must've fallen asleep recording this one.
Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Seneca to Cuyahoga Falls?  Because it seems like I could have completed the trip by the time the song ended.
 Spliff wrote:
Rush Limbaugh has ruined this song for me.
 
Why are you even listening to that bombastic, egotistical, anti-American doofus?  Listen to Chrissie!  Your quality of life will improve immeasurably.
 bakerboy wrote:
didn't like it when it came out and I still don't like it
 
I don't like green eggs and ham. I don't like them, Sam I Am.
Let's send this out to LeBron James
didn't like it when it came out and I still don't like it
Very nice!
 TheKing2 wrote:
No.

I'm unsure why the Pretenders are popular at all. Unelegant, repetitive, boring.  

 
Verily, "elegance" is quite important in rock 'n' roll.
 Spliff wrote:
Rush Limbaugh has ruined this song for me.

 
Totally. I hope they paid them a lot
I wish the same could be said for your songs. The Pretenders bore me to the point of wanting to replace my back-scrubber with a box jellyfish.
Awesome drumming and the BEST rock chick voice.
Play this every day, please, Mr G?
Rush Limbaugh has ruined this song for me.
Always! 
Love the guitar in this...

8/8/14: still great. Lovely ringing tone with bent notes and slide work...
 moodfood wrote:
Saw them do this in Frankfurt,1984.  They were shakin that Deutsche foundation!

 
Saw them in Cuyahoga Falls, many summers ago at Blossom.

Hometown girl does good ... music ...



Saw them do this in Frankfurt,1984.  They were shakin that Deutsche foundation!
 BikeCoachDave wrote:
Chrissie Hynde is the female Lou Reed. She could sing the phone directory and it would be made cool.
 
 
RIP Lou!
wintergaard wrote:
Love this song....can't stand the guy who uses it for a theme song.

 
He who will remain un-named.......
 Lazarus wrote:

marvelous song...  reminds me of this—

Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863

Photo

 

 
Myself knows this as the 1863 Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble assault, but let's not be pedantic about it shall we?
 stevendejong wrote:
 BKardon wrote:
{#Doh}
 
Okay, SHE. Can SHE stop saying UH and DAH after every line SHE sings?

"My family was gon-uhhh..."
"Stunned and amazeduuuuhhhh my childhood memoriezah!" 

 
Uhhhh... NO-ahhh.  It's part of the song performed as intended.  Quit your cryin'.
One of the best from a great band(s).
 kcar wrote:


Owner and proprietor of Sasha's dream bar...hey, it's a classy place! 

Donald Trump yelling 
"You leave that sarcasm and irony at the door, pal! Chrissy's a national treasure!"

 

Yo, what the hell is that freaky thing on that guy's head???
 BKardon wrote:
{#Doh}
 
Okay, SHE. Can SHE stop saying UH and DAH after every line SHE sings?

"My family was gon-uhhh..."
"Stunned and amazeduuuuhhhh my childhood memoriezah!" 
Good song, great band and lead singer. 'nuff said.
Love this song....can't stand the guy who uses it for a theme song.
 Sasha2001 wrote:


Now and then? I would fight you if I overheatd you say that in a bar. Even if you were being cheeky we'd throw down, because it would also be the sort of place where sarcasm and irony weren't welcome.
 

Owner and proprietor of Sasha's dream bar...hey, it's a classy place! 

Donald Trump yelling 
"You leave that sarcasm and irony at the door, pal! Chrissy's a national treasure!"