Single:
Message of Love entered the Australian singles chart* on 30 March 1981 and peaked at #15. It was #95 on the Top 100 of 1981.
Album:
The song is on Pretenders II which entered the Australian albums chart* on 31 August 1981 and peaked at #18.
Songwriter:
Chrissie Hynde
Producer:
Chris Thomas
Record label of Australian release:
WEA
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
The Pretenders performing Message of Love live at Enmore Theatre in Sydney on 8 December 2010:
Songfacts:
This rock and roll love song is unlike any other, with no gooey clichés but a heartfelt appreciation for how a loving relationship can strengthen both sides. It was written by Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde, who has a rather pragmatic view of love. Taking Hynde’s ideas, the song was developed by the band in the studio.
At the time, Hynde was dating Ray Davies of The Kinks; they had a daughter together in 1983 but split up soon after and never married.
Brigitte Bardot gets a mention in the lyric:
Oh it’s good, good, good
Like Brigitte Bardot
The French actress was an early animal rights activist, and a big influence on Hynde.
The song quotes Oscar Wilde with the lyric:
We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
Read more: www.songfacts.com/facts/pretenders/message-of-love
Lyrics:
Now the reason we’re here
As man and woman
Is to love each other
Take care of each other
When love walks in the room
Everybody stand up
Oh it’s good, good, good
Like Brigitte Bardot
Click for full lyrics
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