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.
Cuban Slide
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were doing that old Cuban Slide
All night I tried and tried
I could not master the Cuban Slide
Remember the night I started to weep?
Under lights you did the creep
That night, I could not sleep
Ai, yi, ai, wanna dance but my feet won't let me
Ai, yi, ai, yi, wanna dance would someone help me
Ai, yi, ai, yi, wanna dance but my feet won't let me
Ai, yi, ya
Last night I could not talk
On the street you did the Charring Cross walk
Up and down, I swoop and stalk
Only I can run but I can't walk
Ai, yi, ai, wanna dance but my feet won't let me
Ai, yi, ai, yi, wanna dance would someone help me
Ai, yi, ai, yi, wanna dance, my feet won't let me
Ai, yi, ya
Remember the nights I cried
You were doing that old Cuban Slide
All night I tried and tried
I could not master the Cuban Slide
Ai, yi, ai, wanna dance but my feet won't let me
Ai, yi, ai, yi, wanna dance, would someone help me
Ai, yi, ai, yi, wanna dance but my feet won't let me
Ai, yi, ya
Now dance
The Pretenders' song "Cuban Slide" tells the story of someone who is envious of their partner's dance skills, particularly their ability to do the Cuban Slide. The singer is frustrated that despite their efforts to master the move, they just can't seem to get it right. Meanwhile, their partner is effortlessly gliding across the dance floor, adding insult to injury. The chorus reveals the singer's longing to dance, but their feet won't cooperate. The song ends with an invitation to dance, perhaps as a final attempt to overcome their perceived limitations.
The lyrics of "Cuban Slide" are not entirely literal, as they use dance as a metaphor for the challenges of a relationship. The singer's struggles to master the Cuban Slide represent their inability to keep up with their partner in other aspects of their life together. They feel left behind and inept, which fuels their insecurities and jealousy. The chorus, with its repetitive chant of "Ai, yi, ai, yi," creates a sense of urgency and frustration, reinforcing the theme of the singer being stuck in a rut. The song's upbeat melody contrasts with its bittersweet lyrics, creating a sense of poignant nostalgia for missed opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember the nights I cried
Do you recall the countless times I wept?
You were doing that old Cuban Slide
When you performed that particular dance we all know - the Cuban Slide.
All night I tried and tried
Even though I practiced relentlessly throughout the whole night,
I could not master the Cuban Slide
I still could not perfect the Cuban Slide dance move.
Ai, yi, ai, wanna dance but my feet won't let me
My feet won't allow me to dance no matter how much I desire to do so.
Ai, yi, ai, yi, wanna dance would someone help me
Is it possible for someone to aid me? I yearn to dance.
Remember the night I started to weep?
Do you recall the moment I first broke down in tears?
Under lights you did the creep
You performed the unorthodox dance - the creep - while under the spotlight.
That night, I could not sleep
As a result, I was unable to fall asleep that night.
Oh Lord, how goes the creep?
Oh gracious God, how can someone possibly perform the creep dance move?
Last night I could not talk
Yesterday, I struggled to communicate verbally.
On the street you did the Charring Cross walk
In public, you demonstrated the unconventional Charring Cross walk dance move.
Up and down, I swoop and stalk
Unlike you, I can only move swiftly and unpredictably.
Only I can run but I can't walk
Despite my swiftness, I am incapable of walking.
Now dance
It's time to move to the music!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: James Honeyman-Scott, Christine Hynde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy Wells
on Get Out of London
I don't think this song will do for a studio album.
It's because of the producer, George Acogny. He's the song producer of the movie.