I woke up yesterday with The Pretenders‘ “Stop Your Sobbing” playing in my head, which seems as good a sign as any to feature the song here today. Plus, Chrissie Hynde was and remains a righteous rock chick worthy of high praise.

“Stop Your Sobbing” was issued as The Pretenders’ debut single in the UK in January 1979. Written by Ray Davies of The Kinks, the song had originally appeared on the band of brothers’ 1964 debut album, You Really Got Me. The Pretenders’ take on the tune was produced by English singer-songwriter Nick Lowe (Elvis Costello, The Damned), but Lowe parted ways with the band after that single session, believing The Pretenders weren’t going anywhere.

Subsequent singles (and The Pretenders’ self-titled debut) were produced by Chris Thomas (Roxy Music, Sex Pistols). In the U.S., “Stop Your Sobbing” was the band’s second single on Sire, following “Brass In Pocket,” which had reached #14. But “Stop Your Sobbing” didn’t break the Top 40, retiring at #65. In keeping with English sensibilities, I’m sure the then-quartet kept a stiff upper lip:

In a interesting turn of events, Hynde became romantically involved with Ray Davies a few years after the release of The Pretenders’ cover of “Stop Your Sobbing.” The couple had a daughter together (Natalie Rae Hynde) in 1983.

Purchase The Pretenders – “Stop Your Sobbing” via iTunes, Amazon MP3. The band’s debut is out as a limited-edition gold-disc audiophile pressing on Tuesday.