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2000 Miles
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = 2000 Miles
| cover = Single Pretenders-2000 Miles cover.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Pretenders
| album = Learning to Crawl
| B-side = Fast or Slow (The Law's the Law)
| released = 18 November 1983
| format =
| recorded = 1983
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Christmas, jangle pop, soft rock
| length =
| label = Real Records (UK)
Sire Records (US)
| writer = Chrissie Hynde
| producer = Chris Thomas
| prev_title = My City Was Gone
| prev_year = 1982
| next_title = Middle of the Road
| next_year = 1983
| misc =
}}
"'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). 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".
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. "Robbie McIntosh plays beautifully on '2000 Miles'," Hynde recalled. "Anything to avoid listening to my voice and my stupid words."'Select', July 1990
The song frequently reappears in the UK Charts around Christmas time staying in the charts for a few weeks over the Christmas period. Similarly, in Poland the song plays everyday in December as part of the Christmas rotation on RMF FM's RMF Classic.
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.
Music video
The official video features Hynde dressed as a member of the Salvation Army in a snowy location. Chrissie Hynde also recorded a version of the song in 1995 with violins and other stringed instruments.
Covers
British rock band Coldplay released a piano cover of the song as a charity single. The track's digital download was available for 1.50 between 16 December 2003 and 1 January 2004, with all royalties being donated to Stop Handgun Violence and Future Forests.
Charts
Certifications
References
Category:1983 singles
Category:American Christmas songs
Category:The Pretenders songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Thomas (record producer)
Category:Sire Records singles
Category:Songs written by Chrissie Hynde
Category:1983 songs
Category:Songs about musicians
Category:British soft rock songs
Category:Music videos directed by Tim Pope
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