From the late seventies through the mid-nineties, the rock band The Pretenders took the music world by storm. From the beginning, founder Chrissie Hynde had her finger on the pulse of the music world. She had been in a band in college back in Ohio, but nothing really came of it. 

Hynde graduated from Kent State University and then moved to London in 1973. Her experience back in the states during the counterculture movement made her a unique artist at a unique time to be a rock musician. As Hynde settled into working-class life in London, she got her break when a producer heard a demo tape and suggested she form a band. The year was 1978 as The Pretenders were set to be part of the second British music invasion.

Fun Facts: 

• “I’ll Stand By You” is the seventh track on the 1994 album, Last of the Independents.
• The song reached #16 on the U.S. singles chart.
• “I’ll Stand By You” also gained international attention, reaching the top 20 in Australia, Canada, Iceland, Belgium, and the UK. 
• The song has been performed for charity twice—once in 2004 by Carrie Underwood for Girls Aloud and again in 2010 by Shakira for Hope for Haiti Now. 
• Chrissie Hynde got the name for her band from Platter’s song “Great Pretender,” which was her boyfriend’s favorite song.
• The Pretenders’ first hit was “Brass in Pocket,” which reached number one in the U.K. and five in the States in 1980.
• Their first two albums (The Pretenders 1 and 2) were huge global successes.
• Sadly, two founding members died in 1982, forcing the band to find new members. The Pretenders enjoyed massive success in the U.S. with the new members.

Lyrics 

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

So if you’re mad, get mad

Don’t hold it all inside

Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide?

I get angry too

Well, I’m a lot like you

When you’re standing at the crossroads

And don’t know which path to choose

Let me come along

‘Cause even if you’re wrong

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you

And when, when the night falls on you, baby

You’re feeling all alone

You won’t be on your own

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you, yeah

(Won’t let nobody hurt you)

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

Baby, into your darkest hour

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you