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Chrissie Hynde takes a break at the Pretenders to together with an impressive series of singers – including Lucinda Williams, Dave Gahan, Brandon Flowers, Debbie Harry and Shirley Manson – to record their fourth solo album “Duets Special”.
Publication and song selection
“I never thought of making a duet album,” says Hynde in an explanation. “The idea came in 2023. I was talking to Jörn, the husband of Rufus Wainwright. We recommended each other to each other, and for some reason I said: ‘Hey, maybe Rufus and I should do something’, and spontaneously asked Ten songs. Jörn asked Rufus, who immediately promised – that’s how it started.”
“Duets Special” will be released on October 7th. “Always on My Mind” can already be heard with Rufus Wainwright. On the album, Hynde also sings with Cat Power (“First of the Gang to Die”), Julian Lennon (“It’s only Love”), KD Lang (“MR & MRS. Jones”), Alan Sparhawk (“Country Line”) and the late Mark Lanegan (“Can’t Help Falling in Love”).
After a short break during the pandemic, the Pretenders returned to the album “Relentless” and a world tour in 2023. The shows ranged from festival performances to theater headliners to stadium concerts as support for the Foo Fighters and Guns N ‘Roses.
Last shows and climate comments
The last regular concert took place on May 24, 2025 at the C6 Festival in São Paulo, Brazil. A month later, Hynde wrote to her fans that open-air appearances were often extremely exhausting due to the record heat. “I hope you survive the heat waves well,” she wrote. “I’ve remembered the last few years when we supported Guns n ‘Roses and later the Foo Fighters in stadiums-to finance the club shows that I prefer to play. It was so hot that I had to strap out the waist. It became clear to me: Open-Air events will have an end. It’s too hot.”
Track list “Duets Special”
- Me & Mrs Jones (feat. KD long)
- Can’t Help Falling in Love (feat. Mark Lanegan)
- Sway (feat. Lucinda Williams)
- Dolphins (feat. Dave Gahan)
- First of the gang to the (feat. Cat power)
- Always on my mind (feat. Rufus wainwright)
- Every little bit bits (feat. Carleen Anderson)
- I’m not in Love (Feat. Brandon Flowers)
- It’s ONLY LOVE (feat. Julian Lennon)
- Try to Sleep (feat. Debbie Harry)
- County Line (feat. Alan Sparhawk)
- Love Letters (feat. Shirley Manson)
- (You’re my) Soul and Inspiration (feat. Dan Auerbach)