Released 1983 Length 3:40 | Format 7-inch | |
B-side "Fast or Slow (The Law's the Law)" Genre Jangle pop
new wave
Christmas
soft rock Label Real Records (UK)
Sire Records (US) | ||
"2000 Miles" is a song by The Pretenders that was released in 1983 (see 1983 in music) as the preceding single to their 1984 album, Learning to Crawl. 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. While most people believe 2,000 miles is the distance between two long distance lovers who miss each other over the holidays, it is actually meant to be for James Honeyman-Scott, the group's original guitar player, who died the year before the song was released.
"Robbie [McIntosh] plays beautifully on '2000 Miles'," singer Chrissie Hynde recalled. "Anything to avoid listening to my voice and my stupid words."
The official video features Hynde dressed as a member of the Salvation Army in a snowy location.
In December 2014 Hynde released a remake of the song.
Cover versions
Many artists have covered the song, including Coldplay in 2003, with proceeds donated to various causes, and KT Tunstall, who performed the song at the televised Radio 2 Music Club event on December 5, 2007, at the O2 arena. This was made available as a download only charity single. Adalita performed the song on the RockWiz 2009 Christmas Special. In 2010 The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released a cover version of the song on a 7-inch vinyl single. A music video for the track was also released. Also in 2010, Australian singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia released a cover version as a free download on her website. Merrie Amsterburg recorded a version in 1999 on Viva Noel, a Q Division Christmas, a compilation recording with proceeds donated to the Mark Sandman Music Education Fund. Kylie Minogue covered the song for her 2015 Christmas album, Kylie Christmas.
American singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek also covered the song for his 2014 Christmas album, Sings Christmas Carols.
English folk musicians The Unthanks released their version of 2000 Miles as a Christmas single in December 2015.