Back on the Chain Gang

Name: Back on the Chain Gang
Duration: 3 min 51 s

~ Recording by Pretenders

Appears on releases

#	Title	Length	Track Artist	Release Title	Release Artist	Release Group Type	Country/Date	Label	Catalog#
Official
1.1	Back on the Chain Gang	?:??	Pretenders	Back on the Chain Gang	Pretenders	Single	GB1982	Real Records (WEA subsidiary)	ARE 19T
1.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:49	Pretenders	Back on the Chain Gang	Pretenders	Single	US1982	Real Records (WEA subsidiary), Sire Records	7-29840, 9 29840-7
1.12	Back on the Chain Gang	?:??	The Pretenders	Direct Hits	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB1982	Telstar Records (UK, mostly compilations)	STAC 2226
1.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	The King of Comedy	Various Artists	Album + Soundtrack	DE1983	Warner Bros. Records (1958–2019; “WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across)	9237651
1.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	Pretenders	The King of Comedy: Original Sound Track From the 20th Century Fox Motion Picture	Various Artists	Album + Soundtrack	US1983	Warner Bros. Records (1958–2019; “WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across)	1-23765, 9 23765-1
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	US1984-01-17	Sire Records	23980-1
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	US1984-08	Sire Records	9 23980-2
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	XE1984-09 US1984-09	Sire Records, wea (has logo with just “wea” on it)	9 23980-2
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	US1984	Sire Records, WEA International (imprint of WEA International Inc., not likely used since ca. 1990)	W2 23980
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:44	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	US1984	Real Records (WEA subsidiary), Sire Records	1-23980, 9 23980-1
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles (club edition)	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	US1987-11-17	Sire Records	W2 25664, W2-25664
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	US1987-11	Sire Records	9 25664-2
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	DE1987	Real Records (WEA subsidiary), WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below)	2292-42229-2
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles (club edition)	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	US1987	Real Records (WEA subsidiary), Sire Records, BMG Direct Marketing, Inc. (BMG company that owned their direct marketing company/club editions)	9 25664-2, D 133248
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	XE1987	WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below), Real Records (WEA subsidiary)	242 229-2, 242229-2
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	AU1987	Real Records (WEA subsidiary), wea (has logo with just “wea” on it)	242229-2
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	FR1987	WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below)	242229-1
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	DE1987	WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below)	242229-1
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	GB1987	WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below)	WX135
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	GB1987	WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below), Real Records (WEA subsidiary)	2292-42229-2, 242 229-2
2.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:48	The Pretenders	Rock Line	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	FR1991-05-23	Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)	COL 468620 2
1.17	Back on a Chain Gang	3:48	The Pretenders	Rock Line	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	FR1991	Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)	COL 468620 2
2.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Werners Klopper	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	DE1991	Ariola (German label, used worldwide in the past)	354 241-263
2.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	The Rock Collection: Hot Rock	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	DE1992	Time–Life Music	TL 527/17
1.3	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	The 80's Collection: 1982: Alive and Kicking	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	XE1994	Time–Life Music	TL 544/18
2.4	Back on the Chain Gang	3:54	The Pretenders	Classic MTV: Class of 1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US1995-01-24	Rhino (reissue label)	R2 71834
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Only Dance 1980-1984	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US1995-08-24
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Everything ’80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US1995	Razor & Tie	OPCD-4560
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	CA1995	Sire Records, wea (has logo with just “wea” on it)	CD 23980
1.12	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Sounds of the Eighties: The Rolling Stone Collection 1982–1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US1995	PolyGram Special Markets, Time–Life Music	R988-26
1.13	Back on the Chain Gang	3:49	The Pretenders	Classic Rock: 1982-1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	XE1996	Time–Life Music	TL 559/06
2.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:48	Pretenders	F1 Rock	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB1996	Telstar Records (UK, mostly compilations)	TCD2835
1.12	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	Triple M Unleashed	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU1996	Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)	486583 2
5.11	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	Young at Heart	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB1996	Sounds Direct	A482/9548 34347 2
1.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Billboard Top Album Rock Hits 1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US1997-05-27
1.21	Back on the Chain Gang	3:49	The Pretenders	Going Underground	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB1997	Crimson Productions (UK budget reissue label; imprint of Crimson Productions Ltd.)	CRIMIDCD02
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	The Ultimate Eighties Retro Classics	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU1997	Startel Entertainment	STELCD0041
4.7	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	The Ultimate Rock Collection: Gold and Platinum	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US1997	Time–Life Music, Warner Special Products	8458-2, OPCD-2749A
2.3	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Modern Rock: 1982-1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US1999	Time–Life Music	R828-01
4.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	The Century of Rock: The Greatest Ever Hits of Rock	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	-1999	EMI (EMI Records, since 1972)	LBSCD 022
1.19	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Greatest Hits	The Pretenders	Album + Compilation	GB2000-09-18	Warner.ESP	8573 84607 2
1.4	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	Entertainment Weekly: The Greatest Hits 1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2000-09-26	Buddha Records (1998–2002, formerly known as Buddah Records)	74465 99739 2
1.18	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Greatest Hits	The Pretenders	Album + Compilation	BR2000	wea music (“wea” logo with “music” below)	857384607-2
1.19	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Greatest Hits	The Pretenders	Album + Compilation	ZA2000	Warner (imprint of Warner (a "W" logo with "WARNER" text under it))	WICD 5311
1.19	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Greatest Hits	The Pretenders	Album + Compilation	CA2000	Warner.ESP	W2 84607
1.18	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Greatest Hits	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	AR2000	Warner.ESP	8573 84608 2
1.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Casey Kasem Presents America's Top Ten Hits: 1980s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2001-04-24	Top Sail Productions	TSP-71889
1.15	Back on the Chain Gang	3:48	The Pretenders	Generation ’80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2001	Warner Special Products
2.9	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	Pop Revolution: 1982-1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	NL2001	Time–Life Music	TL 708/31
5.4	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Like, Omigod! The ’80s Pop Culture Box (Totally)	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2002-07-02	Rhino (reissue label)	R2 78239
2.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	School Disco.com: End of Term Party	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2002-11-25	Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)	509960 2
2.3	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Hot City Nights	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2003-09-15	Columbia (Sony Music, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX)	STVCD167
1.11	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	Pretenders	Edge of the 80s: 1982-1983	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU2003	Time–Life Music	TL PRA/01
1.14	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	Legends: Ultimate Rock Collection: Crank It Up	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2003	Time–Life Music	19593-2, OPCD-1197
1.16	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Simply the Best 80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	MX2003	Warner Music México	66609120
2.17	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	Absolute Soft Rock Classics	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	SE2004-10-20	Absolute (compilation series brand used by Stockholm-based EVA Records)	ACCD 3016
2.4	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	Big Shiny '80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	CA2004-12-07	EMI Music Canada	7243 8 63738 2 3
1.7	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	In the Air Tonight	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2004	Time–Life Music, Sony Music Custom Marketing Group	8460-2, A72819
3.13	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Just Say Sire: The Sire Records Story	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2005-09-27	Rhino (reissue label)	74665
3.5	Back on the Chain Gang	3:49	The Pretenders	The Very Best of Legends	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU2005-11-28	EMI Music Australia (not for release label use!)	0946 3 49894 2 8
1.5	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Ultimate 16 Originals: The Very Best of Classic Rock	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2005	Madacy Entertainment	51264
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Ultimate 80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2005	Madacy Entertainment	MUS2 51251
2.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:54	The Pretenders	Pirate Radio	The Pretenders	Album + Compilation	US2006-03-14	Real Records (WEA subsidiary), Rhino (reissue label), Sire Records, Warner Bros. Records (1958–2019; “WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across)	R2 73270
2.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:54	The Pretenders	Pirate Radio	The Pretenders	Album + Compilation	GB2006-04-10	Rhino (reissue label)
1.12	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	Pretenders	Superstars of the 80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2006-10-31	Time-Life Records (Time-Life Music subsidiary)
1.5	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Absolute 80s Hits	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2006	Crimson Productions (UK budget reissue label; imprint of Crimson Productions Ltd.)	CRIMCD440
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang (2007 remaster)	3:51	Pretenders	Learning to Crawl (expanded and remastered)	Pretenders	Album	AF2007-05-15 AL2007-05-15 (show 211 more) ZW2007-05-15	Rhino (reissue label), Warner Bros. Records (1958–2019; “WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across)
5.15	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	100 Hits: 80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2007-10-08	100 Hits	DMG 100 003
1.7	Back on the Chain Gang	3:45	The Pretenders	Magic Decades	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2007-11-19	Warner Music TV	WMTV064
2.15	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	Countdown: The Wonder Years 2	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU2007	Liberation Music (Australian, big L logo or "Liberation" on one line), ABC Music (Australian Broadcasting Corporation in-house label)	LIBCD9233 2, LIBCD92332
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	Pretenders	Album	US2007	Rhino (reissue label)	R2 101058
1.20	Back on the Chain Gang	3:49	The Pretenders	Rocktober	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU2007	EMI (EMI Records, since 1972)	5 07849 2, 50999 5 07849 2 9
5.7	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	Fantastic 80s! The Complete Collection	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2008-12-01	Rhino (reissue label)	88697425232
1.3	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	The Best Of / Break Up the Concrete	The Pretenders	Album + Compilation	GB2009-06-01	Rhino (reissue label)	2564 68933 4
1.4	Back on the Chain Gang (2009 remastered)	3:53	Pretenders	15 of the Best: Driving Songs, Volume 2	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU2009	Warner Music Australia (AU subsidiary of Warner Music International since 1988)
2.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	80s Music Explosion!	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2009	Time–Life Music
3.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	Pretenders	Original Album Series	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	XE2009	Rhino (reissue label), Sire Records	0825646846160
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	The Singles	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	US2010-11-22	Rhino (reissue label), Warner Bros. Records (1958–2019; “WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across)
3.5	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	Pretenders	Classic Rock: The Collection	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2012-11-19	Warner Strategic Marketing United Kingdom	5310547165
2.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	US2012	Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab	UDSACD 2057
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	US2012	Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab	UDSACD 2057
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:50	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	US2012	Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab	MFSL 1-339
2.5	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	MoFi Collection 2	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2013	Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab	SACD S-2
1.5	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	MoFi Collection 2	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2013	Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab	SACD S-2
1.14	Back on the Chain Gang	3:54	Pretenders	Legends: Crank It Up	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2014-07-01	Audio Fidelity	AFZ 178
2.14	Back on the Chain Gang	3:54	Pretenders	Legends: Crank It Up	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2014-07-01	Audio Fidelity	AFZ 178
3.4	Back on the Chain Gang	3:48	Pretenders	Massive Hits: Eighties	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	XE2014	Rhino (reissue label)	825646215003
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	The Pretenders	Album	GB2015-02-16	Edsel Records, Rhino Records, Inc.	EDSG 8049
7.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	Pretenders	Pretenders 1979–1999	Pretenders	Album + Compilation	XE2015-02-16 GB2015-02-16	Edsel Records	PRETBOX01
2.17	Back on the Chain Gang	3:49	Pretenders	Countdown 10‐9‐8‐7‐6‐5‐4‐3‐2‐1 …Rock!	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AU2015	ABC Music (Australian Broadcasting Corporation in-house label)	536 2259
3.17	Back on the Chain Gang	3:48	The Pretenders	Rock Classics: The Ultimate Rock Anthems	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2017-05-12	Rhino (reissue label)	0190295828196
1.15	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	80 Smash Hits of the 80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AD2018-04-27 AI2018-04-27 (show 45 more) GB2018-04-27	Rhino (reissue label)
1.15	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	The Pretenders	80 Smash Hits of the 80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	GB2018	Rhino (reissue label)	0190295694524
1.13	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	There Is a Light That Never Goes Out: The 80s	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	XW2020-01-10	X5 Music Group
1.8	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	The Pretenders	Freeway Classics	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AF2020-03-06 AL2020-03-06 (show 180 more) ZW2020-03-06	X5 Music Group
1.17	Back on the Chain Gang	3:52	Pretenders	80s Throwback	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	AF2020-04-24 AL2020-04-24 (show 216 more) ZW2020-04-24	Rhino (reissue label)
Promotion
1.1	Back on the Chain Gang	3:49	Pretenders	Back On the Chain Gang	Pretenders	Single	US1982	Sire Records	PRO-A-1085
1.11	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Selections From "Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture Box (Totally)"	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2002	Rhino (reissue label)
(unknown)
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:53	The Pretenders	Women of Rock	Various Artists	Album + Compilation	US2001
1.2	Back on the Chain Gang	3:51	Pretenders	Learning to Crawl	Pretenders	Album	-2013	Warner Music UK (formerly Warner Records Ltd., a branch of WEA International)	[none]

Relationships

engineer:	Steve Churchyard
producer:	Chris Thomas (UK record producer / remixer)
bass guitar:	Tony Butler (English rock bassist with Big Country)
drums (drum set):	Martin Chambers
guitar:	Billy Bremner Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
background vocals:	Tony Butler (English rock bassist with Big Country) Martin Chambers Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
lead vocals:	Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)

phonographic copyright (℗) by:	WEA Records Ltd. (holding company based in the UK) (in 1982)

recorded at:	Air Studios (located at Oxford Street 1970–1991) in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom

recording of:	Back on the Chain Gang

Back on the Chain Gang

lyricist and composer:	Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
dedicated to:	James Honeyman‐Scott

publisher:	Al Gallico Music Corp.

later versions:	Fotos y recuerdos (Back in the Chain Gang)

Back on the Chain Gang

Appears on releases

Relationships

Back on the Chain Gang

Recording information

Rating

Genres

Other tags

Editing

Back on the Chain Gang

Appears on releases

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Related works

Back on the Chain Gang

Recording information

Rating

Genres

Other tags

Editing