Hymn to Her

For 'A Hymn to Him', see My Fair Lady.

"Hymn to Her" is a song that was first released from British–American rock band the Pretenders' fourth studio album, Get Close (1986). It was written by Meg Keene, a high school friend of Pretenders' lead singer Chrissie Hynde.^[2] "Hymn to Her" was released as a single in the UK and reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart. According to AllMusic critic Matthew Greenwald, the song has remained popular on adult contemporary radio stations.^[3]

"Hymn to Her"
Single by the Pretenders
from the album Get Close
B-side	"Room Full of Mirrors"
Released	1 December 1986
Genre	Rock[1] folk gospel
Length	4:27
Label	Warner Music Group
Songwriter(s)	Meg Keene
Producer(s)	Jimmy Iovine, Bob Clearmountain
The Pretenders singles chronology
"Don't Get Me Wrong" (1986) "Hymn to Her" (1986) "My Baby" (1987)

Critical reception

According to Spin magazine critic Erik Himmelsbach, "Hymn to Her" is one of the songs presenting "traditional pop sentiments" which Hynde and the Pretenders mixed in with their more vitriolic work.^[4] Spin critic Brian Cullman described it as a "hymn to the eternal feminine."^[2] The Maiden, Mother and Crone that are mentioned in the song are Archetypes of the collective unconscious, specific psychological imaging of the major psychological transitions women undergo over a lifetime.^{[citation needed]} The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism interprets the song as containing pagan themes.^[5] Though the Archetypes of the collective unconscious are not limited to religious belief. Vic Garbarini of Musician magazine suggested that a theme of the song is Hynde "trying to listen to that part of [herself] where all [her] songs come from."^[6] Greenwald considers it "a timeless love song about a life-long love."^[3] According to Greenwald, the melody combines folk music and gospel music elements.^[3]

Cash Box said that it's "a poignant tribute to mothers and womanhood and is the rare non-Hynde composition."^[7] Spin's Cullman evaluated "Hymn to Her" as "a stunner" which combines "the spirit behind 'The Mists of Avalon' with the beauty of Sandy Denny's best work."^[2] Greenwald particularly praised the lyrics, Hynde's delivery, and the refrain.^[3] Ira Robbins and Delvin Neugebauer of Trouser Press described "Hymn To Her" as a "haunting ballad" that was one of the few worthy songs on Get Close.^[8] Author Barbara O'Dair described it as "glorious" and "spine-tingling" and "the best thing" on Get Close.^[9] The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism called it "enchanting."^[5]

Recordings and features

"Hymn to Her" was later included on the Pretenders' compilation albums The Singles in 1987 and Greatest Hits in 2000.^[10][11] It was also included on the multi-artist compilation album Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute in 1997.^[12] Sleeper covered the song as the b-side to "Vegas" and on the related EP in 1995.^[13][14]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1987) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report)[15] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] 25 Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[17] 32 Ireland (IRMA)[18] 8 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 35 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[20] 38 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[21] 46 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[22] 8 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[23] 15 UK Singles (OCC)[24] 8

Year-end charts Chart (1987) Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[25] 63

References

1. "Get Close by the Pretenders – Classic Rock Review". 31 October 2016.
2. Cullman, B. (February 1987). O'Brien, G. (ed.). "Platter du Jour". Spin. pp. 25–27. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
3. Greenwald, M. "Hymn to Her". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
4. Himmelsbach, E. (August 1999). "Pretenders: Viva El Amor". Spin. p. 162. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
5. Rabinovitch, S.; Lewis, J., eds. (2004). The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism. Citadel Press. pp. 170, 172. ISBN 9780806524078.
6. Garbarini, V. (May 1987). "The Annotated Chrissie". Spy. p. 15. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
7. "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. 9 May 1987. p. 9. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
8. Robbins, I. & Neugebauer, D. "Pretenders". Trouser Press. Retrieved 9 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
9. O'Dair, B. (1996). Trouble Girls: The Rolling Stone Book of Women in Rock. Random House. p. 306. ISBN 9780679768746.
10. Greenwald, M. "The Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
11. Prato, G. "Greatest Hits". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
12. Erlewine, S.T. "Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
13. "Sleeper Awakens Interest". Billboard. 11 February 1995. p. 94. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
14. "Vegas". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
15. 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.
16. "The Pretenders – Hymn to Her" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
17. "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 4. 31 January 1987. p. 17. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
18. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hymn to Her". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
19. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 5, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
20. "The Pretenders – Hymn to Her" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
21. "The Pretenders – Hymn to Her". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
22. "SA Charts 1965 – 1989 Songs H–I". South African Rock Lists. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
23. "The Pretenders – Hymn to Her". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
24. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
25. "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report. Retrieved 11 December 2019 – via Imgur.