The Pretenders

The Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in Hereford, England, in March 1978. The original band comprised initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Farndon (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Martin Chambers (drums, backing vocals, percussion). Following the drug-related deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon, the band has experienced numerous subsequent personnel changes, with Hynde as the only consistent member, and Chambers returning after an absence of several years.

Song lyrics
All songs written by Chrissie Hynde, except as noted.

Pretenders (1979)

 * I like the way you cross the street 'cause your precious. Moving through the Cleveland heat, how precious. Taking rides and all the kicks was so precious. But you know I was shittin' bricks 'cause I'm precious.
 * "Precious"


 * Each little tear that falls from your eyes Makes, makes me want To take you in my arms and tell you To stop all your sobbing.
 * "Stop Your Sobbing", written by Ray Davies


 * Kid, my only kid, You look so small, you've gone so quiet. I know you know What I'm about, I won't deny it.
 * "Kid"


 * You asked me for advice, I said use the door. But you're still clinging to somebody you deplore. And now you wanna use me for emotional blackmail. I just feel pity when you lie, contempt when you cry.
 * "Private Life"


 * Gonna use my arms; Gonna use my legs. Gonna use my style; Gonna use my sidestep. Gonna use my fingers; Gonna use my, my, my imagination. 'Cause I gonna make you see There's nobody else here, No one like me. I'm special so special. I gotta have some of your attention. Give it to me.
 * "Brass in Pocket", written by James Honeyman-Scott and Chrissie Hynde


 * Mystery achievement Where's my sandy beach? Yeah. I had my dreams like everybody else, But they're out of reach, I said, right out of reach. I could ignore you, Your demands are unending. I got no tears on my ice cream but you know me, I love pretending.
 * "Mystery Achievement"

Pretenders II (1981)

 * Now look at the people In the streets, in the bars. We are all of us in the gutter, But some of us are looking at the stars.
 * "Message of Love"


 * I'm the adultress. But I didn't want to be and I'm convenient And I make good tea. I stand accused Of the worst crime in history. That's my mystery; I'm the adultress.
 * "The Adultress"


 * You're not supposed to do that; You know you're not allowed to. But you seem to get some kind of kick Out of doing what you're not allowed to. You deliberately defy the rules 'cause the law's upheld by fools. Shit on that. Bad boys get spanked.
 * "Bad Boys Get Spanked"


 * It's not my place to know what you feel. I'd like to know but why should I? Who were you then? Who are you now? Common labourer by night, by day, highbrow. Back in my room, I wonder, then I Sit on the bed, look at the sky. Up in the sky Clouds rearrange Like the talk of the town.
 * "Talk of the Town"


 * Take, take, take, takin' what you don't needYou'll get, get, gettin' what you don't needStand back, take a look and take heedAll the children in God's kingdom bleedSee the networks of concrete and steelThey've no mystery but what they revealTells a story of a future that's void Of the beauty and the majesty that life onEarth is meant to be...
 * "Waste Not Want Not"


 * Talk, talk, talk, talk about the government And not a word about political favorEverything touched is my political choiceThe life you take is your political voice.
 * "Waste Not Want Not"


 * Do unto others as you wish be done to youThere's a million lies 'round everything trueYou slaughter when you feastYou disrespect the beastMake our beds and lie there, take your shareWaste not want not pick it up<BR>Waste not want...
 * "Waste Not Want Not"

Learning to Crawl (1984)

 * The middle of the road is trying to find me. I'm standing in the middle of life with my plans behind me. Well I got a smile for everyone I meet As long as you don't try dragging my bay Or dropping the bomb on my street.
 * "Middle of the Road"


 * I found a picture of you, oh oh oh oh What hijacked my world that night To a place in the past We've been cast out of? oh oh oh oh Now we're back in the fight; We're back on the train. Oh, back on the chain gang.
 * "Back on the Chain Gang"


 * The powers that be That force us to live like we do Bring me to my knees When I see what they've done to you. But I'll die as I stand here today Knowing that deep in my heart They'll fall to ruin one day For making us part.
 * "Back on the Chain Gang"


 * Welcome to the human race, With its wars, disease and brutality> You with your innocence and grace Restore some pride and dignity To a world in decline.
 * "Show Me"


 * I went back to Ohio But my city was gone. There was no train station; There was no downtown. South Howard had disappeared. All my favorite places. My city had been pulled down, Reduced to parking spaces. A, o, way to go Ohio.
 * "My City Was Gone"


 * In these frozen and silent nights, Sometimes in a dream you appear. Outside under the purple sky, Diamonds in the snow sparkle. Our hearts were singing. It felt like Christmastime.
 * "2000 Miles"

Get Close (1986)

 * I know I'm a peasant Dressed as a princess. But that doesn't mean you have To take my clothes away. If I could show you Some happiness, Then I would feel Like a real princess. That to me would be success My baby.
 * "My Baby"


 * I seen you dancin', A natural beauty. You make this dive Seem sublime. You really get To the heart of the music. You're the poetry of time.
 * "My Baby"


 * Don't get me wrong, If I'm looking kind of dazzled. I see neon lights Whenever you walk by. Don't get me wrong, If you say hello and I take a ride Upon a sea where the mystic moon Is playing havoc with the tide. Don't get me wrong.
 * "Don't Get Me Wrong"


 * Once in awhile, Two people meet, Seemingly for no reason, They just pass on the street. Suddenly thunder, showers everywhere. Who can explain the thunder and rain? But there's something in the air.
 * "Don't Get Me Wrong"

Last of the Independents (1994)

 * Oh, why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes. Come on and come to me now, Don't be ashamed to cry. Let me see you through, 'Cause I've seen the dark side too. When the night falls on you, You don't know what to do. Nothing you confess Could make me love you less. I'll stand by you; I'll stand by you. Won't let nobody hurt you, I'll stand by you.
 * "I'll Stand by You", written by Chrissie Hynde, Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly