Writer: Chrissie Hynde
Producer: Chris Thomas
Recorded: Summer 1983 at AIR Studios in London
Released: Fall 1983
| Players: | Chrissie Hynde–vocals, guitar, harmonica Robbie McIntosh–guitar, vocals Malcolm Foster–bass, vocals Martin Chambers–drums, vocals |
| Album: | Learning To Crawl (Sire, 1983) |
The lead-off track and first single from the Pretenders' third album, “Middle Of The Road” reached Number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The raging rocker has an autobiographical edge, as Pretenders' leader Chrissie Hynde reflects on events of the recent past–including the death of her former bandmates Pete Farndon and James Honeyman-Scott and the February 1983 birth of Natalie, her daughter with Kinks frontman Ray Davies.
The Learning To Crawl album introduced new Pretenders Robbie McIntosh on guitar and Malcolm Foster on bass.
The album soared to Number Five on the Billboard 200–the group's best showing ever–and to Number 11 on the U.K. album chart.
Learning To Crawl also launched two other hit singles, “Show Me” and a remake of the Persuaders' “Thin Line Between Love And Hate.”
