2000 Miles

"2000 Miles" is a song by British-American rock band The Pretenders. Written by lead singer Chrissie Hynde and produced by Chris Thomas, it was released on 18 November 1983 as the second single from their third studio album, Learning to Crawl (1984).[3] It was most popular in the UK, where it peaked at No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart in December 1983. In the US, it was released as the B-side of both the 7-inch single and 12-inch single remix of the band's hit "Middle of the Road".

"2000 Miles"
Single by Pretenders
from the album Learning to Crawl
B-side"Fast or Slow (The Law's the Law)"
Released18 November 1983[1]
Recorded1983
GenreChristmas, jangle pop, soft rock[2]
Length3:40
LabelReal Records (UK)
Sire Records (US)
Songwriter(s)Chrissie Hynde
Producer(s)Chris Thomas
Pretenders singles chronology
"My City Was Gone"
(1982)		 "2000 Miles"
(1983)		 "Middle of the Road"
(1983)
Gatefold image
Cover image of gatefold single release (Real ARE 20F)

Considered a Christmas song, it has been released on various Christmas compilation albums.

Background

While many people believe the song's title and lyrics refer to two long-distance lovers who miss each other over the holidays, it was actually written for James Honeyman-Scott, the group's original guitarist, who died the year before the song was released.[4] "Robbie McIntosh plays beautifully on '2000 Miles'," Hynde recalled. "Anything to avoid listening to my voice and my stupid words."[5]

The song frequently reappears in the UK Charts around Christmas time staying in the charts for a few weeks over the Christmas period.[6]

Critical reception

Dave Marsh, in his 1989 book The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made, ranked "2000 Miles"' as the 630th best rock or soul single to that date. It is one of four songs by The Pretenders listed in the book.[7]

Music video

The official video features Hynde dressed as a member of the Salvation Army in a snowy location.[8]

Charts
Chart (1983/84) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[9] 30
United Kingdom (Official Charts Company) 15

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[10]
Digital sales since 2004 		Gold 400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "News". Record Mirror: 5. 5 November 1983. Retrieved 16 December 2020 – via flickr.com.
  2. "How far would you travel for love? 14 songs that go the distance". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  3. Buskin, Richard (5 September 2005). "CLASSIC TRACKS: The Pretenders 'Back On The Chain Gang' Producer: Chris Thomas • Engineer: Steve Churchyard". Soundonsound.com. SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019. The remainder of the Learning To Crawl album was recorded and mixed through the end of 1983, with plenty of breaks interspersing the sessions while Hynde came up with new material, the last of which was that ethereally beautiful Christmas number '2000 Miles'.
  4. Pareles, Jon (1984-01-22). "CHRISSIE HYNDE MAKES PEACE WITH THE PAST AND MOVES ON (Published 1984)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  5. Select, July 1990
  6. "2000 miles - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
  7. "The Heart of Rock and Soul by Dave Marsh - 1001 greatest singles". www.lexjansen.com.
  8. "The Story Of... '2000 Miles' by The Pretenders". Smooth. Retrieved 2020-12-23.
  9. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 238. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  10. "British single certifications – Pretenders – 2000 Miles". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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