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.
Get Out of London
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Break an egg, bust my head, maybe it's a warning
Ring on the bell says it's half past eight
Keys in my tea, hey I'm gonna be late
I'm walking on the pavement skipping on the lines
So the bears won't eat me send me to the salt mines
Get on the bus but the bus don't start
I can't open the window 'cuz there ain't no sun
I think somebody's tellin' me to get out of London
My feet's keep movin' and I don't wear any socks
Can't stop singing, head ting a lingin'
I like my housetop, I think I hit a phone box
Makin' coffins out of bits of no woods
Sellin' tea to the council though I know it's no good to be a trader
Collaborator, still I rather be a snitch then a cocktail waiter
Commit my crime now while I?m on my probation later
Okay alright I know I'm doin' wrong but save it till tomorrow
'Cuz I, get out of London
Last night I left my car keys I settled in to revers in a night
Of wed and bliss, I had a bee in my body tiger in my tan
I was on my maiden voyage spent my night with a saint
They call me jack of hearts did some one say a name
My mother was the queen of tarts my baby was a head slave
Parts sellin' records to the red manufacturer
I do myself in public just to get on the action turn to my face see my
Race is run my cars on fire got to get out of London
Oh you don't wear a suit don't wear a smile
Don't wear my spikes said I only go the mile keep my hand on my nine
My eye on my mind keep my heat at feet when I'm racin'
To the front line change bangs racin' on the bits of afar
So I rock my body to the sound of the box
The louder you scream the faster we go
It's an act of battery a boom, boom, boom hands
Still fluttering comin' down soon head banger
Judge thug night of fun slide on my knees
I got to get out of London park
Straight as a crow waiting for my treasure at the lottery
Blues in my pockets rain on the fair the weighs
Are buildin' blacks on a bit of an air
Facin' a photo a beauty is there tears on her cheek
She's livin' a nightmare turn the page to a brand new leaf resolute
Psycho dude, time to be a z okay we do this tons of times
Keep out of sync singin' get out of London
Everybody in the lines stuck waitin' for the tube beg like a puppy dog
Raise like a hedgehog when you come here
Let me tell you the truth tell you a wonder why
They make us look good party
For my friends so they wouldn't be lonely
They wouldn't let me in said it's membership only don't worry bout me
'Cuz I'm doin' fine standin' on my head
And sittin' on a door mine we get crazy three times a day
I got to get out of London
The Pretenders’ song “Get Out of London” seems to be a commentary on the daily grind and disillusionment of life in London. The song describes the chaos of the city and the singer’s growing frustration with it all. The opening lines illustrate this with the imagery of waking up exhausted and feeling like something bad is about to happen (“break an egg, bust my head, maybe it’s a warning”). As he goes through his morning, it only gets worse – the bus won’t start, there’s no sun, and he feels like someone is telling him to leave the city.
Throughout the song, there are also references to seedy characters and illegal activities, such as selling tea to the council, committing crimes during probation, and doing oneself in public. The singer seems to be fed up with this lifestyle (“Okay, alright, I know I’m doin’ wrong, but save it ‘til tomorrow”) and wants to break free from it all by leaving London.
The song’s lyrics, accompanied by a pulsing beat and driving guitar riffs, paint a vivid picture of the turbulence and despair one can experience in a modern city. They encourage listeners to question the value of such a lifestyle and consider the possibility of starting anew.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold tight, one day morning wake up yawning
I wake up feeling tired and unenthusiastic about the day ahead
Break an egg, bust my head, maybe it's a warning
I have a bad start to my day and wonder if it's a sign of things to come
Ring on the bell says it's half past eight
I'm running late for my commitments
Keys in my tea, hey I'm gonna be late
I'm so flustered that I'm starting to make silly mistakes
I'm walking on the pavement skipping on the lines
I engage in superstitious behavior to avoid bad luck
So the bears won't eat me send me to the salt mines
I try to protect myself from danger and unpleasantness
Get on the bus but the bus don't start
More problems arise, causing further delays
My feet are sittin' down my head on the tire
I feel exhausted and defeated
I can't open the window 'cuz there ain't no sun
I feel trapped and claustrophobic in my current situation
I think somebody's tellin' me to get out of London
I am convinced that I need a change of scenery or lifestyle
My feet's keep movin' and I don't wear any socks
I am on the move without any safety or security
Can't stop singing, head ting a lingin'
I try to stay positive and optimistic despite my troubles
I like my housetop, I think I hit a phone box
I am preoccupied with small pleasures and minor accidents
Makin' coffins out of bits of no woods
I engage in futile or self-destructive activities
Sellin' tea to the council though I know it's no good to be a trader
I participate in unsatisfying or unethical work to make ends meet
Collaborator, still I rather be a snitch then a cocktail waiter
I am willing to betray others to get ahead, but not to be subservient
Commit my crime now while I?m on my probation later
I take risks and bend the rules, even when it could have consequences
Okay alright I know I'm doin' wrong but save it till tomorrow
I am aware that my behavior is problematic, but I postpone dealing with it
'Cuz I, get out of London
I believe that changing my environment is the solution to my problems
Last night I left my car keys I settled in to revers in a night
I had a wild or unconventional night, losing control over my belongings
Of wed and bliss, I had a bee in my body tiger in my tan
I experienced intense emotions or sensations, both pleasurable and dangerous
I was on my maiden voyage spent my night with a saint
I tried new things or met new people, possibly with religious undertones
They call me jack of hearts did some one say a name
I have an ambiguous or fluid identity, or receive attention for my reputation
My mother was the queen of tarts my baby was a head slave
I have dysfunctional or oppressive relationships with authority figures and dependents
Parts sellin' records to the red manufacturer
I engage in either mundane or shady business transactions
I do myself in public just to get on the action turn to my face see my race is run my cars on fire got to get out of London
I behave erratically or dangerously to attract attention or cope with stress, while realizing that I'm headed for disaster
Oh you don't wear a suit don't wear a smile
I don't fit in with mainstream or conventional standards
Don't wear my spikes said I only go the mile
I don't follow trends or expectations, and instead focus on my own goals
Keep my hand on my nine
I carry a weapon or other means of self-defense
My eye on my mind
I am alert and concerned about my mental state
Keep my heat at feet when I'm racin'
I try to stay grounded and focused in competitive or high-pressure situations
To the front line change bangs racin' on the bits of afar
I boldly undertake challenges or confrontations, regardless of the odds
So I rock my body to the sound of the box
I rely on music or other forms of entertainment to escape reality
The louder you scream the faster we go
I enjoy adrenaline rushes and excitement, and provoke others to join me
It's an act of battery a boom, boom, boom hands
I participate in violent or aggressive behavior, possibly in a crowd
Still fluttering comin' down soon head banger
I experience physical or emotional pain, but try to endure or ignore it
Judge thug night of fun slide on my knees
I indulge in risky or illicit activities, possibly with unsavory characters
I got to get out of London park
I reach my breaking point and flee my current situation, whether physically or mentally
Straight as a crow waiting for my treasure at the lottery
I hope for an unlikely or random windfall to solve my problems
Blues in my pockets rain on the fair the weighs
I feel weighed down by burdens and obstacles that prevent me from achieving my goals
Are buildin' blacks on a bit of an air
I sense impending doom or destruction, possibly of my own making
Facin' a photo a beauty is there tears on her cheek
I confront an emotional or nostalgic image, possibly involving loss or suffering
She's livin' a nightmare turn the page to a brand new leaf resolute
I witness someone else's struggle or transformation, and aspire to make my own change
Psycho dude, time to be a z okay we do this tons of times
I embrace eccentric or unconventional behavior, even if it's considered crazy or disturbing
Keep out of sync singin' get out of London
I distance myself from conformity or societal norms, and embrace my need to escape
Everybody in the lines stuck waitin' for the tube beg like a puppy dog
I observe the masses following the same routines and struggling to survive
Raise like a hedgehog when you come here
I put up defenses or display aggression to protect myself from danger or unwanted attention
Let me tell you the truth tell you a wonder why
I offer blunt or cynical observations about the state of the world or human nature
They make us look good party
I am disillusioned or cynical about social gatherings or public relations
For my friends so they wouldn't be lonely
I seek to provide comfort or companionship to others, despite my own struggles
They wouldn't let me in said it's membership only
I encounter rejection or exclusion from desirable or elite groups
Don't worry bout me 'cuz I'm doin' fine
I project confidence and independence, even if it's not entirely true
Standin' on my head and sittin' on a door mine
I find creative or unconventional ways to cope with or avoid adversity
We get crazy three times a day
I crave excitement, stimulation or change on a frequent basis
I got to get out of London
I reiterate my need to escape and leave my troubles behind
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tommy Wells
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.