One of my favourite Pretenders songs in the rate, "My City Was Gone" was released alongside "Back On The Chain Gang" as the band's comeback single after losing founding member James Honeyman-Scott to a drug overdose, and kicking out another founding member, Pete Farndon, over his drug addiction. These songs are taken from the 1984 album, Learning To Crawl.
"My City Was Gone" is a song of social commentary, in which Chrissie tells us how her childhood home has been ravaged by rampant development and pollution to become something completely different to what she knew in her youth.
What the GP had to say:
We turn to lovesong for a bit of lyricism stanning: "The lyrics and the storytelling are brilliant. I love the hit at modern America and it's one of the best social commentary songs." Indeed!
The third single released from Heart's 1985 self-titled album, "These Dreams" featured a couple of firsts for the band. Firstly, it was the first Heart single on which Nancy sang lead vocals instead of Ann; secondly, it was the band's first Billboard #1. (I daren't even imagine how bitter Ann must have been about that!)
The song was written by Martin Page (He's the man responsible for "We Built This City"!) and Berrie Taupin, and was initially offered to Stevie Nicks, who apparently expressed no interest in recording it. Poor that. And that's how it ended up being recorded by Heart.
Also, poor Theus, losing his 10s like this.
What the GP had to say:
Wonderlust tries to shed a little light on what motivated him to give this song a 0. "Why'd you pick this song? It is the epitome of everything I despise in '80s music." Sorry, not sorry. (Also, blame Ace!)
My City Was Gone scores
Its really great, I was so impressed by the lyrics!
