Daughter of a part-time secretary and a telephone company worker, Hynde graduated from Firestone High School, admitting "I was never too interested in high school. I mean, I never went to a dance, I never went out on a date, I never went steady. It became pretty awful for me. Except, of course, I could go see bands, and that was the kick. I used to go to Cleveland just to see any band. So I was in love a lot of the time, but mostly with guys in bands that I had never met. For me, knowing that Brian Jones was out there, and later that Iggy Pop was out there, made it kind of hard for me to get too interested in the guys that were around me. I had, uh, bigger things in mind."
Those "things" included Hynde's experimentation with hippie counterculture, psychotropic drugs, eastern mysticism, vegetarianism and of course, joining or starting a band. Soon enough, Hynde joined a band called Sat. Sun. Mat. (which included Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo) while attending Kent State University's Art School for three years. Hynde was on the campus during the infamous "Kent State shootings".
Hynde also developed an interest in NME when she wasn't waitressing or working various other jobs to support herself, eventually saving enough money for the move from Ohio to London in 1973. With her art background, Hynde landed a job in an architectural firm but left after eight months. It was then that Hynde met rock journalist Nick Kent and landed a writing position at NME. However, it was a short gig among many as Hynde soon found herself working at Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's then-unknown clothing store, SEX, where Hynde was summarily fired for a fight with a customer in which Hynde was hit with a bell from the store. Hynde then made a fruitless attempt to start a band in France before her return to Cleveland in 1975.
Hardly discouraged, Hynde resurfaced in France in 1976 for another stab at forming a band. Finding her way to London in the midst of the punk movement, Hynde tried to start a group with Mick Jones from The Clash. After the band failed to take off, Malcolm McLaren placed her as a guitarist in Masters of the Backside. But Chrissie was booted just as the band became The Damned. By that time, Mick Jones had invited Hynde to join his band on their initial riotous tour of Britain. Chrissie's recollection of that period: "It was great, but my heart was breaking. I wanted to be in a band so bad. And to go to all the gigs, to see it so close up, to be living in it and not to have a band was devastating to me. When I left, I said, 'Thanks a lot for lettin' me come along,' and I went back and went weeping on the underground throughout London. All the people I knew in town, they were all in bands. And there I was, like the real loser, you know? Really the loser."
But Hynde's luck soon changed. A demo tape of hers found its way to Dave Hill, owner of the label Real Records. Hill stepped in to manage her career, and began by paying off the back rent owed on her rehearsal room in Covent Garden. Hill also advised Chrissie to take her time and get a band together. In the spring of 1978, Hynde met bassist Pete Farndon through a mutual friend at a bar in Portobello Road. The meeting led to her rehearsal room (described by Farndon as "the scummiest basement I'd ever been in in my life") where they started playing "Groove Me", by King Floyd, followed by two of Hynde's tunes: "Tequila" and "The Phone Call". Hynde and Farndon then hooked up with James Honeyman-Scott and Martin Chambers, put the name Pretenders on the group, -- inspired by the song "The Great Pretender" -- recorded a demo tape (including "Precious", "The Wait" and a Kinks' cover, "Stop Your Sobbing"), handed it to Hynde's friend Nick Lowe, produced a single ("Stop Your Sobbing/The Wait") and performed their first gigs ever in a club in Paris. The single was released in January 1979 and quickly hit the Top Thirty in UK. The band's precocious success was followed by their first gigs in Britain where the band earned wide critical acclaim. In the same spring (1978), The Pretenders recorded their eponymous first album and hit the charts in UK and US with the song "Brass In Pocket".
The Pretenders lineup would change over the years as a result of numerous deaths and internal conflicts. However, Hynde endured, a solid anchor who became the band's eventual leader although Chambers later returned. Her guitar of choice is a Fender Telecaster.
As the rare, successful female bandleader and style-setter in the early days of punk and new wave, Hynde's impact was pervasive & substantial. Her edginess, punk sensibilities (she gave Sid Vicious his trademark lock necklace), musical vision, lyrical candor & truthfulness in interviews earned the respect of fans, musicians and critics alike, inspiring multitudes of young women to follow. Among many collaborations, Hynde's recordings with UB40 (a cover version of "I Got You Babe") and Cheap Trick ("Walk Away") have also registered popular success.
Chrissie Hynde had a daughter Natalie Ray in 1983 with Ray Davies of The Kinks. A cover version of the Davies song "Stop Your Sobbing" had been an early hit for the Pretenders, although Hynde met Davies several years later -- a meeting which bloomed into a long-term relationship. She then married musician Jim Kerr of the band Simple Minds in 1984, and had a daughter Yasmin with him in 1985. They divorced in 1990. She married artist Lucho Brieva in 1997 and lived with him in London until they separated in 2002.
Hynde did a duet with INXS on their album Full Moon, Dirty Hearts in 1993. Hynde appears on the title track of the album.
Hynde sang the vocals on the Moodswings album Moodfood for track #9, "State of Independence Part II" which was played during the closing credits on the soundtrack of Single White Female.
Chrissie Hynde has been in the news in recent years as a high-profile animal rights activist. She is a supporter of PETA [1]
Hynde recorded a duet with Frank Sinatra on Sinatra's 1994 album Duets II. They performed the song "Luck Be a Lady".
In 1995 Hynde made an acting appearance on the US television comedy Friends.
In 1999 Hynde played guitar and sang vocals with Sheryl Crow on the song "If It Makes You Happy" during a concert in Central Park.
Hynde is mentioned prominently in the lyrics of the Terence Trent D'Arby song "Penelope Please."
In 2004 Hynde moved to São Paulo, Brazil for a couple of months in order to play with Brazilian musician Moreno Veloso in an informal tour that lasted until December 2004. She bought a flat in the Copan Building in Sao Paulo's downtown.
In 2005, Hynde collaborated with Incubus on a song called "Neither Of Us Can See". The song is on the soundtrack album for Stealth.
Hynde also recorded a song called "Cry (If You Don´t Mind)" with the Spanish band Jarabe de Palo for their album "Un metro cuadrado - 1m²".
Likewise in 2005, Hynde dueted with Ringo Starr on a song entitled "Don't Hang Up" which can be heard on Starr's most recent album Choose Love.
She was also the vocalist on Tube & Berger's 2004 #1 Dance Top 40 track "Straight Ahead". The track gave Hynde her first US #1 track on the Billboard charts.
She supplied the voice for the clouded leopard in the movie Rugrats Go Wild (2003) in which she sang a duet with Bruce Willis
I Got You Babe
Chrissie Hynde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't find out till we grow
Well I don't know why that's true
'Cause you got me baby, I got you
Babe, I got you babe, I got you, babe
They say our love won't pay the rent
I guess that's so, we don't have a lot
But at least I'm sure of all the things we got
Babe, I got you babe, I got you, babe
I got flowers in the spring
I got you, to wear my ring
And when I'm sad, you're a clown
And if I get scared you're always around
So let they say your hair's too long
I don't care, with you I can't go wrong
Then put your warm little hand in mine
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb
Babe, I got you babe, I got you babe, I got you babe
I got you to hold my hand
I got you to understand
I got you to walk with me
I got you to talk with
I got you to kiss goodnight
I got you to hold me tight
I got you I won't let go
I got you to love me so
I got you, babe
"I Got You Babe" is a romantic love song, performed as a duet between Sonny Bono and Cher in 1965. In 1985, a new version of the song was recorded by Chrissie Hynde and UB40 on their album "Baggariddim," which added a reggae beat to the song. The lyrics in the opening lines "They say we're young and we don't know, won't find out till we grow," express the doubts and uncertainties that young lovers often feel about their relationship. However, the singer counters this with the assertion that they don't need to wait to find out whether their love will stand the test of time because they are confident in their commitment to each other.
The lines "They say our love won't pay the rent, before it's earned, our money's all been spent" acknowledge the material struggles of young couples starting out in life, but the singer values their love and companionship more than material wealth. Despite the challenges they face, the singer is grateful for the simple pleasures that come with being in love – flowers in the spring, someone to wear their ring, a companion to playfully cheer them up, and someone to turn to when they are frightened.
The refrain "I got you, babe" is repeated throughout the song, affirming the singer's love and commitment to their partner. It is a declaration of their loyalty and readiness to face any obstacles that may come their way. The song celebrates the beauty of a love that is not dependent on external factors, but is resilient and enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
They say we're young and we don't know
People may say that we are young and inexperienced, but that's not necessarily true.
Won't find out till we grow
We won't know for sure until we gain more life experience.
Well I don't know why that's true
I don't believe that our youth should discredit the validity of our relationship.
'Cause you got me baby, I got you
We are in this together and we have each other's love and support.
Babe, I got you babe, I got you, babe
I am affirming the fact that I have you, and you have me, and we are committed to each other.
They say our love won't pay the rent
People may believe that our love is not enough to provide for us financially.
Before it's earned our money's always spent
We may struggle financially, but that doesn't diminish the value of our love and commitment to each other.
I guess that's so, we don't have a lot
It's true that we don't have a lot of material possessions, but we have each other.
But at least I'm sure of all the things we got
I am sure of the love and support we have for each other, which is worth more than any material possession.
I got flowers in the spring
I have the beauty of nature to appreciate and share with you.
I got you, to wear my ring
I am grateful to have you as my partner and committed to our relationship.
And when I'm sad, you're a clown
You make me laugh and bring joy to my life even in the tough times.
And if I get scared you're always around
You provide me comfort and security when I am afraid or uncertain.
So let they say your hair's too long
Other people may have their criticisms, but they don't matter to me.
I don't care, with you I can't go wrong
As long as I have you, I feel like everything will be okay.
Then put your warm little hand in mine
I want to express physical intimacy and love for you in this moment.
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb
We can overcome any obstacle together, with our love and support for each other.
I got you to hold my hand
You are my true companion and partner in all aspects of our relationship.
I got you to understand
You are someone who truly understands me, and I appreciate that about you.
I got you to walk with me
I have a companion and partner to journey through life with.
I got you to talk with
I can talk to you about anything and everything. You are my confidant and friend.
I got you to kiss goodnight
I am grateful to have someone to share physical intimacy and affection with, especially at night.
I got you to hold me tight
When I need comfort and reassurance, I can always rely on your loving embrace.
I got you I won't let go
I am committed to our relationship and will strive to make it last forever.
I got you to love me so
I am grateful to have someone to love and who loves me in return. Our love is precious and valuable.
I got you, babe
I am so glad to have you as my partner in life. You are everything to me.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sonny Bono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertoswu
Yo! People, people! For all the listeners of this song in 2024! If you like it, give a shout for all of us in the comments! One of the cool😎est songs (cover) from the UB40! In my opinion... Stay strong brothers and sisters! 💪🏻❤️
@edmaphis9805
Here.
@joseluisrascon8307
Aquí estamos, desde Ensenada, México!!
@barryjudge3417
Will never die
@rafaelfernandez725
shoutout… just saw Chrissie playing with Paul Mccartney “Oh Darling” and it sent me right away here to this master piece
@robertoswu
@@rafaelfernandez725 good stuff bro!👍🏻👌
@tanzagowe128
We don't look for old music . We look for memories they carry . Great song
@percynjeri399
Sure
@dianne1999
Very true
@LSingh-hu6ml
It's not called old. It's classic