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.
Hymn To Her
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into your room
I've heard it's lined
With the things you don't show
Lay me beside you
Down on the floor
I've been your lover
From the womb to the tomb
When the moon becomes round
You be my mother
When everything's gone
And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
Keep beckoning to me
From behind that closed door
The maid and the mother
And the crone that's grown old
I hear your voice
Coming out of that hole
I listen to you
And I want some more
I listen to you
And I want some more
She will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
She will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
Let me inside you
Into your room
I've heard it's lined
With the things you don't show
Lay me beside you
Down on the floor
I've been your lover
From the womb to the tomb
I dress as your daughter
When the moon becomes round
You be my mother
When everything's gone
And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
She will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
The Pretenders' "Hymn to Her" is a song that is open to interpretation. The song's lyrics suggest that there is a maternal and sexual relationship between the singer and the addressed. The line "Lay me beside you/Down on the floor/I've been your lover/From the womb to the tomb" suggests that this connection has been present since birth and will persist until death. The term "womb to the tomb" is an expression that refers to the idea of being with someone from cradle to grave. The singer could be someone who is seeking refuge, comfort, or a sense of belonging. The idea of coming "into your room" may reflect a desire to be immersed in the addressed person's physical and emotional world.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me inside you
The singer wants to get closer to the person they are addressing.
Into your room
The singer wants to be allowed into the person's private space.
I've heard it's lined
With the things you don't show
The singer knows that there are things that the person keeps hidden.
Lay me beside you
Down on the floor
The artist wants to be physically close to the person.
I've been your lover
From the womb to the tomb
The artist has been connected to the person for their entire life, from birth to death.
I dress as your daughter
When the moon becomes round
The singer takes on a different persona for the person, as a daughter figure when the moon is full.
You be my mother
When everything's gone
The singer wants the person to take on a motherly role when things get tough.
And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
The person being addressed is important and has left an impact on the world, even though some things have changed and some things remain the same.
Keep beckoning to me
From behind that closed door
The person is calling out to the artist, but from a distance or closed off place.
The maid and the mother
And the crone that's grown old
The person has taken on different roles in their life, as a young maid, a nurturing mother, and now an older, wise crone.
I hear your voice
Coming out of that hole
The person is communicating with the singer, even though they are far away or in a difficult situation.
I listen to you
And I want some more
I listen to you
And I want some more
The artist is drawn to the person's voice and wants to keep listening and connecting with them.
She will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
The person being addressed will continue to have an impact, even though things have changed and some things remain the same.
Let me inside you
Into your room
I've heard it's lined
With the things you don't show
Lay me beside you
Down on the floor
I've been your lover
From the womb to the tomb
The singer is repeating their desire to be close to the person and to have a lifelong connection with them.
She will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
The person being addressed will continue to be remembered and thought of, even though things have changed and some things remain the same.
She will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
The person being addressed will continue to have an impact, even though things have changed and some things remain the same.
And she will always carry on
Something is lost
But something is found
They will keep on speaking her name
Some things change
Some stay the same
The person being addressed is significant and will be remembered, even though things have changed and some things remain the same.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Meg Keene
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.