Formed in 1978 in London, the original band Hynde, lead and rhythm guitarist James Honeyman-Scott (died 1982), bassist Pete Farndon (died 1983), and drummer Martin Chambers. Save for Hynde, a native of Akron, Ohio, the original band members were all from the U.K. This band was fractured by the drug-related deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon. Since then, numerous subsequent personnel changes have taken place over the years, with Hynde as the sole constant.
With Hynde at the helm, the band experienced a critical resurgence with a trio of albums released between the mid-90s and early 00s that explored a more mature side of the band’s classic sound.
In 2008, the Pretenders' album Break Up the Concrete was released through Shangri-La Music. It was the band's first Top 40 album in the US in 22 years.
In September 2012, as part of the entertainment line-up for the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix, the Pretenders re-grouped with Hynde and Chambers from the original line-up, along with Nick Wilkinson, James Walbourne and Eric Heywood.
Creep
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Couldnt look you in the eye
Youre just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
And I wish I was special
Youre so fuckin special
But Im a creep, Im a weirdo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I dont belong here.
I dont care if it hurts
I want to have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When Im not around
Youre so fuckin special
I wish I was special
But Im a creep, Im a weirdo.
What the hell am I doing here?
I dont belong here.
Shes running out again,
Shes running out
Shes run run run running out...
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
Youre so fuckin special
I wish I was special...
But Im a creep, Im a weirdo,
What the hell am I doing here?
I dont belong here.
I dont belong here.
The Pretenders' song "Creep" is a powerful ballad that explores feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and longing. The lyrics paint a picture of a narrator who is deeply attracted to someone "special" but feels unworthy of their attention. The opening lines reveal the singer's inability to meet the gaze of the person they desire, portraying a sense of shame and self-loathing. The image of the angelic figure with skin that makes the singer cry suggests a certain otherworldliness to the desired figure. The singer then goes on to express their desire for perfection in both body and soul and their longing for acknowledgement and recognition from the special person. However, the singer is plagued by the belief that they are a "creep" and a "weirdo," leaving them feeling out of place and undeserving.
The repetition of the line "I don't belong here" emphasizes the singer's sense of displacement and unworthiness. The song also includes the line "Whatever makes you happy, whatever you want," showing that the singer is willing to do whatever it takes to make the desired person happy, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness. The final lines of the song, with the repetition of "I don't belong here" and the sense of someone running away, further drive home the idea of being an outsider and not fitting in.
Overall, "Creep" is a haunting and powerful song that delves deep into the complexities of human emotion and insecurity. It touches on themes of desire, inadequacy, and the longing for acceptance that are all too common in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
When you were here before
I was intimidated by you and couldn't meet your gaze.
Couldnt look you in the eye
I felt insecure and unworthy in your presence.
Youre just like an angel
You are a perfect being, beyond my reach.
Your skin makes me cry
I am overwhelmed by your beauty and it brings me to tears.
You float like a feather
You move effortlessly, as if you are weightless.
In a beautiful world
You live in a world of wonder and harmony.
And I wish I was special
I yearn to be unique and significant like you.
Youre so fuckin special
You are extraordinary and worthy of admiration.
But Im a creep, Im a weirdo.
I don't fit in and feel like an outcast.
What the hell am I doing here?
I am questioning why I am in your world, amongst people like you.
I dont belong here.
I feel like I don't fit in and am not accepted.
I dont care if it hurts
I am willing to endure pain to feel in control.
I want to have control
I desire power and influence over my circumstances.
I want a perfect body
I want to be physically flawless and attractive.
I want a perfect soul
I want to be morally pure and righteous.
I want you to notice
I crave your attention and approval.
When Im not around
I am concerned with how others perceive me and my absence.
Shes running out again,
You are escaping and receding from my proximity again.
Shes running out
You are slipping away from me and I cannot hold on.
Shes run run run running out...
You are quickly departing and evading my grasp.
Whatever makes you happy
I want you to be content and fulfilled on your own terms.
Whatever you want
I will support and enable your choices and desires.
Youre so fuckin special
You are invaluable and deserving of respect and affection.
I wish I was special...
I long to be esteemed and celebrated like you.
But Im a creep, Im a weirdo,
I am a social misfit and do not fit the norms.
What the hell am I doing here?
I question my presence in a world that seems to reject me.
I dont belong here.
I feel out of place and disconnected from those around me.
Contributed by Micah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Pirie
Incredible song by Radiohead...
Then Chrissie comes along, sprinkles her fairy dust and lifts this song to something extraordinary. Just wow!!!
She poured everything into this track.
Thank you.
Beth Faulkner
If you ever have a chance to hear her in concert you'll have no regrets. Beautiful Lady.
Will Long
This is NOT A COVER--it is a rendition, and a superbly beautiful one at that. Indeed, it is the most exceptional rendition of "Creep" that I have heard. To be preformed live and acoustically makes this Pretenders' interpretation of Radiohead's song all the more special.
kleven707
It is called a cover. When anyone does someone else's work, it is always been a "cover"
Will Long
@kleven707 I was presenting a rhetorical evaluation of the art from my own perspective. As of this day, at least 47 people have understood that even if you do not. Then again, perhaps you are merely a troll trying to provoke a semantic pissing contest?
F P S
Nah guys... What will really stick in your craw is whether Creep is a rip, cover, rendition, of The Air That I Breath by the Hollies
Will Long
@F P S Funny that you should mention that particular song, which is exceptional, as it is another example where I personally prefer a (as a sop to kleven707, I'll say "cover") to the original. In this case, it is the Simply Red rendition.
Will Long
Thank you Luciano Werhli.
pat mccormick
I regret I only am allowed to give one thumbs up.This lady sings from the heart.
Andrew M
Best version I've seen so far, outside of Radiohead's original one. Chrissie is simply sensational. I've liked many of the covers I've seen, some not so much, but most are decent or pretty good, but Hynde's taken it to a whole other level of awesomeness, to a wow level all the way.