Jesse Lynn Madera - Sweet Pretender (radio version)

4 Sweet Pretender 4:37: Brian Whelan’s (Dwight Yoakum) guitar lines after the choruses, reminiscent of 90’s line dancing music, stand out, as do the hand claps by Jesse - an amusing afterthought in the studio but ultimately instrumental in defining the song. After witnessing the unraveling of a friend’s marriage, the song began to write itself. Jesse got together with her friend, co-writer Rob McCulloch, and the song transformed from a sad pining song to a raucous, bull-by-the-horns, dancing number. An anthem of freedom and release, calling to mind Linda Ronstadt’s 1975 ‘You’re No Good’ era.