Criminally Underrated #1

My criteria for a criminally underrated song is it has to appear less then 10 times in mixes at artofthemix.org. The Pretenders aren't really underrated as a group with their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame entry but I never see this song mentioned anywhere. It's not a check mark under the AMG album review or as a recommended song from the Pretenders catalog in those new playlist books coming out. Even Spin Magazine could have listed it under their greatest lost tracks issue they recently released. The thing that bothers me is the first Pretenders album is considered a classic yet no one even mentions this song. I just did a Google search and could only see some typical amazon reviews with mentions of the track ranging from "drags" to "indulgent, long". Ooookay. Here's my review: I've put this song on mixtapes as a highlight. For every time a mix came unlisted, friends have always asked who did "Lovers of Today". I recommend sticking an instrumental or two before the song to make Hynde's introduction seem that much more dramatic or embracing. Also, I often put James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's World" right after as a corny lyrical segue but, hey, it works. The guitar intro is so gentle and the mix is just right under Hynde's voice. Chambers' drum set complements her voice also which croons and aches in only the way Chrissie can make it. This song is so syrupy and coy. When they pull forward then hold back before the three minute point and you're driven by Hynde's lullaby lyrics...oh, I could melt! And then when the song kicks in with Honeyman-Scott's glam riff over the solid melody guitar. Damn! That final minute where Chambers emphasizes the riff with that bass drum thud-thud-thud-thud-thud and Hynde's voice goes under the mix while everything fades away. Mmm-mm. Also, the song makes Hynde's voice sound so much more relevant on the next track "Mystery Achievement" than when you hear that song on the radio or as a single.I think "Lovers of Today" is my favorite Pretenders song just because it feels so good to defend and more importantly, to remind others of the group's wonderful ability to build up in accompaniment.