Lyrics of
Back on the Chain Gang

Back on the Chain Gang was written by Chrissie Hynde, the leader of The Pretenders, in response to the death of James Honeyman-Scott, the bands original guitarist, who died in 1982 due to heart failure caused by cocaine use. With a catchy melody and reflective lyrics, the track became one of the bands biggest hits, expressing feelings of loss and resilience.

see chords
I found a picture of you, ohh oh oh ohh ohhh
 Oh, what hijacked my world that night
 To a place in the past we've been cast out of, ohh oh oh ohh ohhh
 Now we're back in the fight

 We're back on the train, yeah
Oh, oh, back on the chain gang

 Circumstance beyond our control, ohh oh oh ohh ohhh
 The phone, the TV, and the news of the world
 Got in the house like a pigeon from hell, ohh oh oh ohh ohhh
 Threw sand in our eyes, and descended like flies

 Put us back on the train, yeah
Ohhh, ohhhhhhhh
Back on the chain gang

<1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +>
 The powers that be that force us to live like we do
 Bring me to my knees when I see what they've done to you
 And I'll die as I stand here today, knowing that deep in my heart
 They'll fall to ruin one day, for making us part

 I found a picture of you, ohh oh oh ohh ohhh
 Those were the happiest days of my life
 Like a break in the battle was your part, ohh oh oh ohh ohhh
 In the wretched life of a lonely heart

 Now we're back on the train, yeah
Oh oh, back on the chain gang

(repeat to fade)