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Length: 4:11
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What hijacked my world that night
To a place in the past
We've been cast out of oh
Now we're back in the fight
We're back on the train yeah oh.
A circumstance beyond our control oh
The phone, t.v. and the news of the world
Got in the house like a pigeon from hell oh
Threw sand in your eyes and descended like flies
Put us back on the train yeah oh
Back on the chain gang.
The powers that be
That force us to live like we do
Bring me to my knees
When I see what they've done to you.
But I'll die as I stand her today
Knowing that deep in my heart
They'll fall to ruin one day
For making us apart.
I found a picture of you oh
Those were the happiest days of my life
Now we're back on the train
Oh back on the chain gang.
Like a break in the battle was your part oh
In the wretched life of a lonely heart
Now we're back on the train
Oh back on the chain gang.
One cool thing about this song you might not notice unless you play it is that the minor key bridge leads to a key change from the earlier verse/chorus that makes the final chorus, which finally has upbeat and positive lyrics, sound a bit warmer and more optimistic. You don't find that kind of thing in pop music very often.
Oh yes so it does! Never noticed that before - thank you!
can we address the fact that the singer has an incredibly weak voice
You haven't listened to her "Stockholm" album have you?
can we address the fact that the singer has an incredibly weak voice
You need to broaden your knowledge of her voice. If this link doesn't post, do check out the Pretender's song 'I'm a Mother' to get a sense of just how much power she can unleash:
"Got in the house like a pigeon from hell
Threw sand in your eyes and descended like flies"
Huh?!
can we address the fact that the singer has an incredibly weak voice
Agree!
What a superlative version of this great song. Ms Hynde is waaay cool 😎
I Agree!!
can we address the fact that the singer has an incredibly weak voice
NO!!
can we address the fact that the singer has an incredibly weak voice
Have you ever heard her cover of "I wish you love" You may be surprised.
PhilippeTorres wrote:
True. And the fascinating thing is that this perception (gained from minor to major key + key change) is actually driven by culture and musical habit rather than anything scientific in the brain. I attended a seminar once given by music teachers, anthropologists and neuro scientists and I asked that very question and it turns out that in many cultures in Africa and Asia, minor key driven pieces are equated with joy and happiness. Go figure!
And cely wrote:
One cool thing about this song you might not notice unless you play it is that the minor key bridge leads to a key change from the earlier verse/chorus that makes the final chorus, which finally has upbeat and positive lyrics, sound a bit warmer and more optimistic. You don't find that kind of thing in pop music very often.
One cool thing about this song you might not notice unless you play it is that the minor key bridge leads to a key change from the earlier verse/chorus that makes the final chorus, which finally has upbeat and positive lyrics, sound a bit warmer and more optimistic. You don't find that kind of thing in pop music very often.
True. And the fascinating thing is that this perception (gained from minor to major key + key change) is actually driven by culture and musical habit rather than anything scientific in the brain. I attended a seminar once given by music teachers, anthropologists and neuro scientists and I asked that very question and it turns out that in many cultures in Africa and Asia, minor key driven pieces are equated with joy and happiness. Go figure!
I'd guess Martin Chambers.
Is Lazarus still with us? I haven't seen his posts for a while.
![daisy](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/daisy.gif)
I saw her on that tour in Denver. She's still got it.
I love love love this live "orchestral" version (does a couple of strings make it orchestral?). Gorgeous.
The utter cluelessness of these 2 posts, WHICH do not even belong on a music message board btw, shows how sad the educational system is in this country (or just how lack of knowledge has become a point of pride to some). To not understand the significant differences between socialism and fascism, or to understand their history of conflict with one another, is to show true ignorance. To bandy them about when discussing politics in the US only makes any argument you make all the weaker.
On a lighter note, I really like this stripped down Pretenders version of Back On the Chain Gang. The whole album is great. Pick it up sometime if you like Chrissy and the boys. You wont be disappointed.
But they are both VERY bad right? I mean, they sound bad. Duh!
I do. And those with a broader vocabulary.
damn. that is super cool.
NeilBlanchard wrote:
She was playing a 12-string Gibson (fully wooden) acoustic guitar with a pick-up over the sound-hole. There was another guitarist playing a 6-string with a Markley pick-up popped in the sound-hole. Neither guitar appears to have been "miked" and there doesn't seem to be much EQ set on either guitar, which may be responsible for the "tinny" sound - especially from that 6-string.
Most Ovation guitars are very full-sounding and resonant - especially when plugged in and/or properly miked - Glen Campbell played Ovations for many years. There are some carbon fiber bodied instruments that are more resonant and full-sounding than some wooden ones.
The utter cluelessness of these 2 posts, WHICH do not even belong on a music message board btw, shows how sad the educational system is in this country (or just how lack of knowledge has become a point of pride to some). To not understand the significant differences between socialism and fascism, or to understand their history of conflict with one another, is to show true ignorance. To bandy them about when discussing politics in the US only makes any argument you make all the weaker.
On a lighter note, I really like this stripped down Pretenders version of Back On the Chain Gang. The whole album is great. Pick it up sometime if you like Chrissy and the boys. You wont be disappointed.
Bravo h8rhater! While I wont even start to get into the Political Science aspect, I appreciate your reminding folks of the main gist of this forum; it's for the music! And yes, sometimes the music is political, and not having read all the comments I'm not sure where the original convo started....my point is that I like your point of LEAVE IT TO THE MUSIC.
Chrissy is a great artist, ain't she? My wife looks like a cross of her and Linda R (although her vocal abilities are a bit less; her aural skills are up there though lol)
Long Live RP!
I've come a long way, I've come a long way, I've been 500 miles today
Obama's economic and military/foreign policies have little to do with "socialism". They are more in line with the ideological opposite, a form of fascism, i.e., government in cahoots with corporations and wealthy to the detriment of the average citizen. Or could be called corporatism, oligarchy, kleptocracy. In that respect, Obama is just Clinton II or Bush III.
Get your facts straight, and stop listening to right-wing media propaganda for false definitions.
What? "opposite"? Since when is socialism opposite to fascism? More like twin brothers.
The utter cluelessness of these 2 posts, WHICH do not even belong on a music message board btw, shows how sad the educational system is in this country (or just how lack of knowledge has become a point of pride to some). To not understand the significant differences between socialism and fascism, or to understand their history of conflict with one another, is to show true ignorance. To bandy them about when discussing politics in the US only makes any argument you make all the weaker.
On a lighter note, I really like this stripped down Pretenders version of Back On the Chain Gang. The whole album is great. Pick it up sometime if you like Chrissy and the boys. You wont be disappointed.
What? "opposite"? Since when is socialism opposite to fascism? More like twin brothers.
belive me Brother, you would rather be on the receiving end of socialism than fascism
What? "opposite"? Since when is socialism opposite to fascism? More like twin brothers.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhRE0tGCEAE6F4R.jpg)
HILARIOUS!! The kids these days...
Hey, did you know Paul McCartney was in a band before Wings?
Funny. I like the actual strings in the background, as opposed to the tinny "acoustic" sound of the guitar, which sounds neither electric nor acoustic.
My guess is that it is an Ovation guitar, which is acoustic, but with a fiberglass shell instead of a much more resonant wooden flat backed instrument.
![Ovation guitar shell](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZIpoCaIxZg/T99AByohaKI/AAAAAAAAD9E/nKBS965Ls9U/s1600/ovation-guitar-bowl-back.jpg)
Obama's economic and military/foreign policies have little to do with "socialism". They are more in line with the ideological opposite, a form of fascism, i.e., government in cahoots with corporations and wealthy to the detriment of the average citizen. Or could be called corporatism, oligarchy, kleptocracy. In that respect, Obama is just Clinton II or Bush III.
Get your facts straight, and stop listening to right-wing media propaganda for false definitions.
What? "opposite"? Since when is socialism opposite to fascism? More like twin brothers.
![{#Sick} {#Sick}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_sick.gif)
True. Missed too much in my time. This is great stuff.
Obama's economic and military/foreign policies have little to do with "socialism". They are more in line with the ideological opposite, a form of fascism, i.e., government in cahoots with corporations and wealthy to the detriment of the average citizen. Or could be called corporatism, oligarchy, kleptocracy. In that respect, Obama is just Clinton II or Bush III.
Get your facts straight, and stop listening to right-wing media propaganda for false definitions.
LowPhreak: HA! Not to wax political but welcome to the new Age. The Age of the Corporate State.
Or as was more aptly put in an old song; "Meet the new Boss. Same as the old Boss."
And on and on and on it goes. We never learn. So it goes.
Highlow
American Net'Zen
![{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/bananajam.gif)
Chrissy and the guys seem ageless
![{#Heartkiss} {#Heartkiss}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_heartkiss.gif)
no that just means the state-controlled media was able to foist a full blown socialist ideologue on a half-asleep populace...
Obama's economic and military/foreign policies have little to do with "socialism". They are more in line with the ideological opposite, a form of fascism, i.e., government in cahoots with corporations and wealthy to the detriment of the average citizen. Or could be called corporatism, oligarchy, kleptocracy. In that respect, Obama is just Clinton II or Bush III.
Get your facts straight, and stop listening to right-wing media propaganda for false definitions.
Funny. I like the actual strings in the background, as opposed to the tinny "acoustic" sound of the guitar, which sounds neither electric nor acoustic.
marvelous... love it...
Everybody in my church loves this live version... this song is soooo good...
jocelynsart wrote:
I don't like the original Pretenders of this song much and funny enough, though I usually do not enjoy live renditions, this I actually liked better lol!
cutiepie_jessy wrote:
HILARIOUS!! The kids these days...
 jocelynsart wrote:
I don't like the original Pretenders of this song much and funny enough, though I usually do not enjoy live renditions, this I actually liked better lol!
cutiepie_jessy wrote:
Selena's VERSION was released by EMI Latin on 14 February 1995. Inspired by the Pretenders' 1982 song "Back on the Chain Gang", Selena's brother and music producer A.B. Quintanilla III asked Ricky Vela, the lead keyboardist of Selena y Los Dinos, to transform the song into a Spanish-language cumbia.
cutiepie_jessy wrote:
Wiki knows.....well sometimes reliable
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fotos_Y_Recuerdos
I don't like the original Pretenders of this song much and funny enough, though I usually do not enjoy live renditions, this I actually liked better lol!
cutiepie_jessy wrote:
Ummm... no. This is BAD.
Just because something has nostalgia doesn't mean that we should slow it down and add strings! this isn't clever re-envisioning, just shlockey & hokey!
I can't think of anything I'd like to hear LESS than this version of this song again.
Shame on you, Chrissie...
![{#Crashcomp} {#Crashcomp}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_crashcomp.gif)
![](https://kalyx.com/images/full/images_SP/SP_CL168M.jpg)
no that just means the state-controlled media was able to foist a full blown socialist ideologue on a half-asleep populace...
Oh, Lord... even RP isn't safe. Why doesn't Fox news start a music streaming site?
![{#Drunk} {#Drunk}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_drunk.gif)
But then we elected Obama! So that makes up for it, right?.......Right??
We have a lot farther to go to make up for that 8 years....
Missed my opportunity. Again.
Me, too.
This is a great album to play from beginning to end. In the context of the album, its really great.
But then we elected Obama! So that makes up for it, right?.......Right??
no that just means the state-controlled media was able to foist a full blown socialist ideologue on a half-asleep populace...
Brass In Pocket being the other......
man this is overdone
I am.
No. . .wait. . . you mean on the record.
Oh please! Ratings distribution my ass. Don't resort to the "wisdom of the masses" argument. The Americans elected Bush TWICE! Need I say more?
But then we elected Obama! So that makes up for it, right?.......Right??
With a spoon?
No need for the spoon. This song does it all by itself.
I love the slow delivery. Very effective.
![{#Hearteyes} {#Hearteyes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_hearteyes.gif)
Totally agree. This song reminds me of a great time in my life from a great CD. Merci.
![{#Dance} {#Dance}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/eusa_dance.gif)
![{#Hearteyes} {#Hearteyes}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_hearteyes.gif)
![{#Notworthy} {#Notworthy}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/icon_notworthy.gif)
Yes!!!!
I'm always a big fan of the "At least he wasn't as bad as Hitler" defense of Bush. Really keeps things in perspective.
More in keeping with the theme of this place, I do like this version. Not as much as the original, but the feeling of resignation (as noted by someone else) does add to the feeling of the song. A nice variation on a great song.
And as for lamenting Chrissie's lack of "balls," may I say she's lost more balls than you've ever had. Harrumph!
Yeah, the guitar work is niiiice.
This one sounds like someone had to finally get a job.
You're joking, right?
![{#Sunny} {#Sunny}](https://img.radioparadise.com/emoji/sunny.gif)
Oh please! Ratings distribution my ass. Don't resort to the "wisdom of the masses" argument. The Americans elected Bush TWICE! Need I say more?
You can get off your high horse any time now. Like the leaders of Europe have been so great? You had a few bad ones in the 20th century as I recall. Being from Poland, you should know better than anyone. I understand you may not be comfortable with the pros and cons of the masses having a vote at all, since you've only had a democracy for about 20 years.
Aren't you bored talking about Bush yet?
I think you missed the subtlety of perfection.
If you don't like music, and if you don't like the sound of Humanity singing in a wonderful voice ...why are you listening to Radio Paradise?