William Gibson has stated that he derived inspiration for the character from the image of Chrissie Hynde on the cover of the first Pretenders album.
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His most well known song is "Breakfast in Bed" which has been recorded many times, most notably by Dusty Springfield and by UB40 with Chrissie Hynde.
The lyrics reference a number of female rock stars, such as Debbie Harry ("Callin me, all the time like Blondie") and Chrissie Hynde ("Check out my Chrissie behind"), and morally assertive slogans, such as "Stay in School" (SIS) which is also a reference to her being a teacher before becoming a musician.
The album is notable for the inclusion of a cover of The Kinks' "I Go to Sleep" (they had covered that band's "Stop Your Sobbing" on their debut album, and band leader Chrissie Hynde would have a personal relationship with Kinks' frontman Ray Davies), as well as the sexually-forward tunes "Bad Boys Get Spanked" and "The Adultress".
"Penelope Please" namechecks The Pretenders frontwoman singer/guitarist Chrissie Hynde in the chorus: "You will still be home in time, to watch Top of the Pops, featuring Chrissie Hynde".
The second CD, titled Live Angle, featured a live set with Alex Madge on drums and Jamie Griffiths on the wheels of steel, and several singles, including Kid 2000 with Chrissie Hynde.
Rolling Stone critic David Fricke wrote that "the bright bite in Mary Lee Kortes' voice has the high-mountain sunshine of Dolly Parton, with a sweet-iron undercoat of Chrissie Hynde."