Back on the Chain Gang

~ Recording by The Pretenders

Appears on releases

# Title Length Release Title Release Artist Date Country Label Catalog#
Official
1.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:49 Back on the Chain Gang Pretenders
  • 1982
  • US
Real Records (WEA subsidiary), Sire Records 7-29840, 9 29840-7
1.1 Back on the Chain Gang ?:?? Back on the Chain Gang Pretenders
  • 1982
  • GB
Real Records (WEA subsidiary) ARE 19T
1.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 The King of Comedy Various Artists
  • 1983
  • DE
Warner Bros. Records (“WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across) 9237651
1.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 The King of Comedy: Original Sound Track From the 20th Century Fox Motion Picture Various Artists
  • 1983
  • US
Warner Bros. Records (“WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across) 1-23765, 9 23765-1
1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Learning to Crawl The Pretenders
  • 1984-01-17
  • US
Sire Records 23980-1
1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Learning to Crawl Pretenders
  • 1984-08
  • US
Sire Records 9 23980-2
1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Learning to Crawl The Pretenders
  • 1984-09
  • 1984-09
  • XE
  • US
Sire Records, wea (has logo with just "wea" on it) 9 23980-2
1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Learning to Crawl The Pretenders
  • 1984
  • US
Sire Records, WEA International (imprint of WEA International Inc., not likely used since ca. 1990) W2 23980
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Singles The Pretenders
  • 1987-11
  • US
Sire Records 9 25664-2
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Singles The Pretenders
  • 1987
  • GB
WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below) WX135
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Singles The Pretenders
  • 1987
  • AU
Real Records (WEA subsidiary), wea (has logo with just "wea" on it) 242229-2
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Singles The Pretenders
  • 1987
  • FR
WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below) 242229-1
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Singles The Pretenders
  • 1987
  • DE
WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below) 242229-1
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Singles The Pretenders
  • 1987
  • DE
WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below) 242229-2
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Singles Pretenders
  • 1987
  • GB
WEA Records (imprint of Warner Records International: lower-case “wea” with “records” below), Real Records (WEA subsidiary) 2292-42229-2, 242 229-2
2.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:48 Rock Line Various Artists
  • 1991-05-23
  • FR
Columbia (imprint owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX; owned worldwide by Sony Music Entertainment since 1991 except in JP) COL 468620 2
1.17 Back on a Chain Gang 3:48 Rock Line Various Artists
  • 1991
  • FR
Columbia (imprint owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX; owned worldwide by Sony Music Entertainment since 1991 except in JP) COL 468620 2
2.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Werners Klopper Various Artists
  • 1991
  • DE
Ariola 354 241-263
2.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 The Rock Collection: Hot Rock Various Artists
  • 1992
  • DE
Time-Life Music TL 527/17
1.3 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 The 80's Collection: 1982: Alive and Kicking Various Artists
  • 1994
  • XE
Time-Life Music TL 544/18
2.4 Back on the Chain Gang 3:54 Classic MTV: Class of 1983 Various Artists
  • 1995-01-24
  • US
Rhino (reissue label) R2 71834
1.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Only Dance 1980-1984 Various Artists
  • 1995-08-24
  • US
1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Everything ’80s Various Artists
  • 1995
    		Razor & Tie
    1.12 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Sounds of the Eighties: The Rolling Stone Collection 1982–1983 Various Artists
    • 1995
    • US
    		PolyGram Special Markets, Time-Life Music R988-26
    1.13 Back on the Chain Gang 3:49 Classic Rock: 1982-1983 Various Artists
    • 1996
    • XE
    		Time-Life Music TL 559/06
    2.8 Back on the Chain Gang 3:48 F1 Rock Various Artists
    • 1996
    • GB
    		Telstar Records (UK, mostly compilations) TCD2835
    1.12 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 Triple M Unleashed Various Artists
    • 1996
    • AU
    		Columbia (imprint owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX; owned worldwide by Sony Music Entertainment since 1991 except in JP) 486583 2
    1.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Billboard Top Album Rock Hits 1983 Various Artists
    • 1997-05-27
    • US
    1.21 Back on the Chain Gang 3:49 Going Underground Various Artists
    • 1997
    • GB
    		Crimson Productions CRIMIDCD02
    1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 The Ultimate Eighties Retro Classics Various Artists
    • 1997
    • AU
    		Startel Entertainment STELCD0041
    4.7 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 The Ultimate Rock Collection: Gold and Platinum Various Artists
    • 1997
    • US
    		Time-Life Music, Warner Special Products 8458-2, OPCD-2749A
    2.3 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Modern Rock: 1982-1983 Various Artists
    • 1999
    • US
    		Time-Life Music R828-01
    4.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 The Century of Rock: The Greatest Ever Hits of Rock Various Artists
    • 1999
      		EMI (EMI Records, since 1972) LBSCD 022
      1.19 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Greatest Hits The Pretenders
      • 2000-09-18
      • GB
      		Warner.ESP 8573 84607 2
      1.4 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 Entertainment Weekly: The Greatest Hits 1983 Various Artists
      • 2000-09-26
      • US
      		Buddha Records (1998–2002, formerly known as Buddah Records) 74465 99739 2
      1.19 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Greatest Hits The Pretenders
      • 2000
      • CA
      		Warner.ESP W2 84607
      1.18 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Greatest Hits The Pretenders
      • 2000
      • BR
      		wea music (“wea” logo with “music” below) 857384607-2
      1.18 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Greatest Hits Pretenders
      • 2000
      • AR
      		Warner.ESP 8573 84608 2
      1.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Casey Kasem Presents America's Top Ten Hits: 1980s Various Artists
      • 2001-04-24
      • US
      		Top Sail Productions TSP-71889
      1.15 Back on the Chain Gang 3:48 Generation '80s Various Artists
      • 2001
      • US
      		Warner Special Products
      2.9 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 Pop Revolution: 1982-1983 Various Artists
      • 2001
      • NL
      		Time-Life Music
      5.4 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Like, Omigod! The ’80s Pop Culture Box (Totally) Various Artists
      • 2002-07-02
      • US
      		Rhino (reissue label) R2 78239
      2.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 School Disco.com: End of Term Party Various Artists
      • 2002-11-25
      • GB
      		Columbia (imprint owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX; owned worldwide by Sony Music Entertainment since 1991 except in JP) 509960 2
      2.3 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Hot City Nights Various Artists
      • 2003-09-15
      • GB
      		Columbia (imprint owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX; owned worldwide by Sony Music Entertainment since 1991 except in JP) STVCD167
      1.11 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 Edge of the 80s: 1982-1983 Various Artists
      • 2003
      • AU
      		Time-Life Music TL PRA/01
      1.14 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 Legends: Ultimate Rock Collection: Crank It Up Various Artists
      • 2003
      • US
      		Time-Life Music 19593-2, OPCD-1197
      1.16 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Simply the Best 80s Various Artists
      • 2003
      • MX
      		Warner Music México 66609120
      2.17 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 Absolute Soft Rock Classics Various Artists
      • 2004-10-20
      • SE
      		Absolute (compilation series brand used by Stockholm-based EVA Records) ACCD 3016
      2.4 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 Big Shiny '80s Various Artists
      • 2004-12-07
      • CA
      		EMI Music Canada 7243 8 63738 2 3
      1.7 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 In the Air Tonight Various Artists
      • 2004
      • US
      		Time-Life Music, Sony Music Custom Marketing Group 8460-2, A72819
      3.13 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Just Say Sire: The Sire Records Story Various Artists
      • 2005-09-27
      • US
      		Rhino (reissue label) 74665
      3.5 Back on the Chain Gang 3:49 The Very Best of Legends Various Artists
      • 2005-11-28
      • AU
      		EMI Music Australia (not for release label use!) 0946 3 49894 2 8
      1.5 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Ultimate 16 Originals: The Very Best of Classic Rock Various Artists
      • 2005
      • US
      		Madacy Entertainment 51264
      2.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:54 Pirate Radio The Pretenders
      • 2006-03-14
      • US
      		Real Records (WEA subsidiary), Rhino (reissue label), Sire Records, Warner Bros. Records (“WB” logo, with or without “records” beneath or on banner across) R2 73270
      2.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:54 Pirate Radio The Pretenders
      • 2006-04-10
      • GB
      		Rhino (reissue label)
      1.12 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Superstars of the 80s Various Artists
      • 2006-10-31
      • US
      		Time-Life Records (Time-Life Music subsidiary)
      1.5 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Absolute 80s Hits Various Artists
      • 2006
      • GB
      		Crimson Productions CRIMCD440
      1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Learning to Crawl Pretenders
      • 2007-06-01
      • US
      		Rhino (reissue label)
      5.15 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 100 Hits: 80s Various Artists
      • 2007-10-08
      • GB
      		100 Hits DMG 100 003
      1.7 Back on the Chain Gang 3:45 Magic Decades Various Artists
      • 2007-11-19
      • GB
      		Warner Music TV WMTV064
      1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Learning to Crawl The Pretenders
      • 2007
      • US
      		Rhino (reissue label) R2 101058
      1.20 Back on the Chain Gang 3:49 Rocktober Various Artists
      • 2007
      • AU
      		EMI (EMI Records, since 1972) 5 07849 2
      5.7 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 Fantastic 80s! The Complete Collection Various Artists
      • 2008-12-01
      • GB
      		Rhino (reissue label) 88697425232
      1.3 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 The Best Of / Break Up the Concrete The Pretenders
      • 2009-06-01
      • GB
      		Rhino (reissue label) 2564 68933 4
      2.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:55 80s Music Explosion! Various Artists
      • 2009
      • US
      		Time-Life Music
      3.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Original Album Series Pretenders
      • 2009
      • XE
      		Rhino (reissue label), Sire Records 0825646846160
      3.5 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Classic Rock: The Collection Various Artists
      • 2012-11-19
      • GB
      		Warner Strategic Marketing United Kingdom 5310547165
      1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 Learning to Crawl The Pretenders
      • 2012
      • US
      		Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab UDSACD 2057
      1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 Learning to Crawl The Pretenders
      • 2012
      • US
      		Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-339
      1.5 Back On The Chain Gang 3:52 MoFi Collection 2 Various Artists
      • 2013
      • US
      		Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab SACD S-2
      1.14 Back on the Chain Gang 3:54 Legends: Crank It Up Various Artists
      • 2014-07-01
      • US
      		Audio Fidelity AFZ 178
      3.4 Back on the Chain Gang 3:48 Massive Hits: Eighties Various Artists
      • 2014
      • XE
      		Rhino (reissue label) 825646215003
      7.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 1979–1999 Pretenders
      • 2015-02-16
        		Edsel Records PRETBOX01
        3.17 Back on the Chain Gang 3:48 Rock Classics: The Ultimate Rock Anthems Various Artists
        • 2017-05-12
        • IT
        		Rhino UK (a division of Warner Music UK Ltd.)
        1.15 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 80 Smash Hits of the 80s Various Artists
        • 2018
        • GB
        		Rhino UK (a division of Warner Music UK Ltd.) 0190295694524
        6.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:54 80s Music Explosion! Various Artists
          • AU
          		Time-Life Music
          1.11 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 Classic Drive: At the Drive In (disc 1) Various Artists
          1.1 Back on the Chain Gang 3:44 Greatest Hits Pretenders
          2.4 Back on the Chain Gang 3:52 Rockin’ Down the Highway Various Artists
          1.6 Back on the Chain Gang 3:54 TM Century: GoldDisc 143 Various Artists
          5.11 Back on the Chain Gang 3:50 Young at Heart Various Artists
            • GB
            		Sounds Direct
            Promotion
            1.11 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Selections From "Like, Omigod! The '80s Pop Culture Box (Totally)" Various Artists
            • 2002
            • US
            		Rhino (reissue label)
            (unknown)
            1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:53 Women of Rock Various Artists
            • 2001
            • US
            1.2 Back on the Chain Gang 3:51 Learning to Crawl Pretenders
            • 2015-02-16
            • GB
            		Edsel Records, Rhino Records, Inc. EDSG 8049

            Relationships

            drums: Martin Chambers
            guitar: Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
            Robbie McIntosh (English guitarist for The Pretenders)
            assistant engineer: Jeremy Allom
            background vocals: Martin Chambers
            Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
            engineer: Steve Churchyard
            guest bass guitar: Tony Butler (English rock bassist with Big Country)
            guest guitar: Billy Bremner
            guest background vocals: Tony Butler (English rock bassist with Big Country)
            lead vocals: Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
            producer: Chris Thomas (UK record producer / remixer)
            phonographic copyright by: WEA Records Ltd. (holding company based in the UK) (1982)
            Telstar Records Plc (1996 –)
            recording of: Back on the Chain Gang

            Related works

            Back on the Chain Gang

            composer: Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
            lyricist: Chrissie Hynde (rock singer-songwriter and founder of Pretenders)
            publisher: Al Gallico Music Corp.