The Pretenders band photo, highlighting Chrissie Hynde, known for iconic pretenders songs.
My journey into the world of Pretenders Songs took an unexpected detour through Jawbreaker. Like many who grew up with cool older siblings in the 80s, the sounds of The Pretenders were likely in the air, seeping from beneath bedroom doors. However, “Pack It Up” wasn’t a chart-topping single, remaining a deeper cut. It wasn’t until Jawbreaker, the punk band, offered their own spin on it on the “Chesterfield King” EP that the song truly grabbed my attention. Buying that EP directly from the band at ABC No Rio in the early 90s, I was captivated by their rendition, even if their lyrics were replaced with a playful nod to their own discography, singing “don’t play…” followed by a roll call of Jawbreaker song titles. The songwriting credit, “Chrissie Hynde,” stood out, a name unfamiliar in the context of Jawbreaker’s then-underground status.
Discovering the Original “Pack It Up” Among Pretenders Songs
Years later, living in Oakland and navigating San Francisco as a bike messenger, weekends were often spent crate-digging at Amoeba Records in Berkeley with my friend Dominic. The mid-to-late 90s were a vinyl goldmine as CD sales surged, leaving vast vinyl collections behind, often priced at just 99 cents per LP. This era allowed me to amass incredible music – Springsteen, CCR, The Byrds, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, and, crucially, The Pretenders. This vinyl treasure hunt finally closed the loop, revealing the original “Pack It Up”. It was there, a gem hidden on side 2 of “Pretenders II” (1981), a true deep cut within the impressive catalog of pretenders songs. For me, it wasn’t just a deep cut; it was the album’s high point.
Lyrical Power and Meaning within Pretenders Songs
The song explodes into life with a compelling mid-tempo riff, and within seconds, Chrissie Hynde’s voice unleashes, “You guys are the PITS OF THE WORLD !”. The targets of her ire are already decimated before the song truly begins. She declares, “this is no place for me…” and launches into an indictment. The “guys” could be anyone abusing their position – perhaps lovers, perhaps industry figures, all entangled in a world of “jacuzzis, suntans, Porsches,” hinting at record executives and the false promises of the music industry.
Pretenders 'Pack It Up' lyrics excerpt, showcasing Chrissie Hynde's powerful songwriting in pretenders songs.
The first verse culminates in the defiant line, “But I know my place…where’s my suitcase?”, leading into the chorus, a raw expression of self-preservation: “Pack it up or throw it away, what I can’t carry, BURY !”. This resonates deeply with a desire for movement and escape. Travel, touring, and a nomadic spirit hold a powerful allure, and under pressure, the instinct to leave, to “pack it up,” becomes overwhelming. While real life doesn’t always allow for such dramatic departures, the temptation remains potent.
Even without the following verses, the song would be impactful. However, Hynde elevates it further, claiming dignity in departure: “When you pass me in your Porsche, please don’t offer me a ride, I may be a skunk, but YOU’RE a piece of junk!”. Then, “And furthermore…”, she unleashes a litany of grievances, starting with the trivial “I don’t like your trousers” and escalating to the universal condemnation, “all you scumbags around the world, you’re the pits of the world!”. The song circles back to its explosive beginning, the narrator gone, leaving behind only scorched earth. It’s a powerful recognition: even as an underdog, a “dirtbag rock n’ roll urchin,” one can claim agency and dignity. One can always pack it up.
In the landscape of pretenders songs, “Pack It Up” stands out not just as a deep cut, but as a powerful anthem of self-respect and the courage to walk away, qualities that define Chrissie Hynde and the enduring appeal of The Pretenders.
