"Hymn to Her" is a song that was first released from British–American rock band the Pretenders' fourth studio album, ''

Get Close ''Get Close'' is the fourth studio album by Rock music, rock band the Pretenders, released on 20 October 1986 in the United Kingdom by Real Records and on 4 November 1986 in the United States by Sire Records. The album contains the band's two ...

'' (1986). It was written by Meg Keene, a high school friend of Pretenders' lead singer

Chrissie Hynde Christine Ellen Hynde (born September 7, 1951) is an American musician. She is a founding member and the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band the Pretenders, and one of the band's two remaining original members alon ...

. "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.

Critical reception

According to ''

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning * Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis * Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...

'' 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. ''Spin'' critic Brian Cullman described it as a "hymn to the eternal feminine." 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. ''The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism'' interprets the song as containing

pagan Paganism (from classical Latin ''pāgānus'' "rural", "rustic", later "civilian") is a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, or ethnic religions other than Judaism. ...

themes. Though the Archetypes of the collective unconscious are not limited to religious belief. Vic Garbarini of ''

Musician A musician is a person who composes, conducts, or performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general term used to designate one who follows music as a profession. Musicians include songwriters who wri ...

'' magazine suggested that a theme of the song is Hynde "trying to listen to that part of erselfwhere all ersongs come from." Greenwald considers it "a timeless love song about a life-long love." According to Greenwald, the

melody A melody (from Greek language, Greek μελῳδία, ''melōidía'', "singing, chanting"), also tune, voice or line, is a Linearity#Music, linear succession of musical tones that the listener perceives as a single entity. In its most liter ...

combines folk music and

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

elements. ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', was an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' said that it's "a poignant tribute to mothers and womanhood and is the rare non-Hynde composition." ''Spins 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." Greenwald particularly praised the lyrics, Hynde's delivery, and the

refrain A refrain (from Vulgar Latin ''refringere'', "to repeat", and later from Old French ''refraindre'') is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in poetry — the "chorus" of a song. Poetic fixed forms that feature refrains include the vi ...

Ira Robbins ''Trouser Press'' was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow fan of the Who Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" (a reference ...

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''. Author Barbara O'Dair described it as "glorious" and "spine-tingling" and "the best thing" on ''Get Close''. ''The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism'' called it "enchanting."

Recordings and features

"Hymn to Her" was later included on the Pretenders' compilation albums ''

The Singles The Singles may refer to: * ''The Singles'' (Basement Jaxx album) by Basement Jaxx * ''The Singles'' (Bikini Kill album) * ''The Singles'' (Blank & Jones album), 2006 * ''The Singles'' (The Bluetones album), 2002 * ''The Singles'' (Chisato Mor ...

'' in 1987 and '' Greatest Hits'' in 2000. It was also included on the multi-artist compilation album '' Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute'' in 1997.

Sleeper A sleeper is a person who is sleeping. Sleeper may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Characters * Sleeper (Marvel Comics), a Nazi German robot utilized by the Red Skull in Marvel Comics * The Sleeper (Wild Cards), a character in the Wild Ca ...

covered the song as the b-side to " Vegas" and on the related EP in 1995.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

{{Authority control The Pretenders songs 1980s ballads 1986 singles 1986 songs Song recordings produced by Jimmy Iovine Song recordings produced by Bob Clearmountain Rock ballads