Artist page · 05/07/2026
About
Six key albums including 'Learning To Crawl', strong market presence on vinyl with varied pressings and editions.
Pretenders emerged from London's vibrant rock scene in the late 70s and quickly made their mark with a distinctive fusion of punk rock, new wave, and melodic pop rock. Their catalog spans over four decades, from their 1980 debut to recent releases like 2023's "Relentless". Their vinyl pressings are diverse, including original and remastered editions with multiple international releases, making them a staple for rock collectors and audiophiles alike.
The band's musical style bridges intense energy and accessible melodies, reflected in classic albums with production values that have evolved but maintained a core sound. Pressings often vary by region and edition, offering collectors different vinyl weights, gatefolds, and packaging over the years.
Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Parlophone · 2023
BMG · 2020
BMG · 2016
Strobosonic · 2010
Shangri-La Music · 2008
Artemis Records · 2002
WEA · 1999
WEA · 1995
WEA · 1994
WEA · 1990
Real Records · 1986
Real Records · 1984
Real Records · 1981
Real Records · 1980Playlist
The tracks that sum up Pretenders's career.
The essentials
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
A breakthrough 1984 album featuring hits like "Back On The Chain Gang" and "Middle Of The Road", significant for its blend of new wave and pop rock.
Debut album with a punk edge, defined by tracks like "Brass in Pocket" and "Stop Your Sobbing", setting the band's tone and gaining critical acclaim.
Follow-up album injecting power pop into the band's sound with songs like "Message Of Love" and "Talk Of The Town", sustaining their early success.
Go further
Artists who share part of Pretenders's musical DNA.
Collectors
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Face B
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
"I feel that every note needs to have meaning, to convey emotion honestly."— Chrissie Hynde
A notable original LP pressing released in Sweden in 1983 on Real Records, catalog number IS-923980, remains a sought-after edition among vinyl collectors.
The 1981 US club edition of "Pretenders II" was released on Sire Records with catalog SRK 3572, featuring distinctive packaging for fan club members.
"Relentless" came out in 2023 as a limited edition LP on Parlophone in Europe, catalog number 5054197615337, with editions including special and standard vinyl sleeve variations.
The track "Back On The Chain Gang" remains one of Pretenders' most recognized songs, initially released on their 1984 album "Learning To Crawl" with widespread airplay and vinyl circulation.
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Pretenders combine punk rock, new wave, and rock with elements of brit pop and power pop across their discography.
The 1984 album "Learning To Crawl" is essential for new vinyl collectors due to its classic tracks and wide availability in original and remastered forms.
Although many original pressings are from the UK, US, and Europe including Sweden, vinyl collectors in France often find European editions and reissues of Pretenders albums available.
Details on vinyl pressings highlight a variety of pressing locations including Europe, Sweden, South Korea, and the US, with some editions featuring limited or special releases for audiophiles.
The Pretenders’ sound evolved from raw punk energy in their early albums to incorporating more melodic and pop rock elements in later works, as reflected across their vinyl releases.
Yes, numerous limited and special edition vinyl releases exist, such as the 2023 limited edition "Relentless" LP released in Europe on Parlophone.
London is central to their formation and recording history, while pressings and releases have spanned Europe, the US, and other regions notable for specific editions.
Look for label variations and catalog numbers, such as the 1983 Swedish pressing IS-923980 and the 1984 South Korean pressing OLW-309 or 1-23980, to identify different pressings.
Transparency
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
[title]
[message]Love it? Add to your wishlist
Your favorites, all in one place. Shop quickly and easily with the wishlist feature!
