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.
I Wish You Love
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is where our story ends,
Never lovers, ever friends.
Goodbye, Let our hearts call it a day,
But before you walk away,
I sincerely want to say:
To give your heart a song to sing;
And then a kiss, but more than this I wish you love.
And in July, a lemonade,
To cool you in some leafy glade;
I wish you health and more than wealth, I wish you love.
My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never be,
So with my best, my very best, I set you free.
I wish you shelter from the storm,
A cozy fire to keep you warm;
But most of all, when snowflakes fall,
I wish you love.
I wish you bluebirds in the Spring,
To give your heart a song to sing;
And then a kiss, but more than this I wish you love.
And in July, a lemonade,
To cool you in some leafy glade;
I wish you health and more than wealth, I wish you love.
My breaking heart and I agree
That you and I could never be,
So with my best, my very best, I set you free.
I wish you shelter from the storm,
A cozy fire to keep you warm;
But most of all, when snowflakes fall,
I wish you love.
The Pretenders’ “I Wish You Love” is a bittersweet farewell song that follows the ending of a relationship between two people who could never really be lovers, but will always be friends. The song starts with the acknowledgement of the inevitable end of their story and acceptance of the fact that it’s time to say goodbye. The chorus then comes with the well-wishes for the person who's walking away. It offers them wishes for a happy life ahead, filled with joy, love, health, and everything that they may need.
The singer is deeply heartbroken, but is mature enough to understand that staying together isn’t the answer. Instead, they offer warmth, comfort, and the best wishes for a happy life, hoping to cross paths again as good friends. The Pretenders’ leader, Chrissie Hynde, delivers these lines with a poignant, emotional intensity that evokes a great deal of empathy from the listener. With references to seasonal elements, the lyrics are a poetic metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitable ebb and flow of life.
Overall, “I Wish You Love” is a poignant and beautiful song about letting go and wishing someone well. It’s an expression of love and respect for someone you care for deeply, even if that person is not meant to be your partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye, No use leading with our chins,
Farewell, it's pointless to put up a front,
This is where our story ends,
Our tale concludes at this juncture,
Never lovers, ever friends.
Though never romantically involved, let's remain comrades.
Goodbye, Let our hearts call it a day,
Farewell, let's wrap things up emotionally,
But before you walk away,
Prior to your departure,
I sincerely want to say:
I'd like to offer these words with true intent:
I wish you bluebirds in the Spring,
May the arrival of spring bring you joy and renewal,
To give your heart a song to sing;
So your spirits can soar with sweet melodies,
And then a kiss, but more than this I wish you love.
May you experience deep affection and tenderness, more than just a simple kiss.
And in July, a lemonade,
May the heat of summer be quenched by a refreshing beverage,
To cool you in some leafy glade;
So you can relish the comforts of a cool, shaded spot,
I wish you health and more than wealth, I wish you love.
May you have wellbeing and happiness, more than just material riches.
My breaking heart and I agree
Both my emotions and I concur
That you and I could never be,
That we were never meant to be together,
So with my best, my very best, I set you free.
Thus, with my best interest and noblest efforts, I release you.
I wish you shelter from the storm,
May you find protection and safety amidst life's challenges,
A cozy fire to keep you warm;
May you find comfort and warmth even in the coldest circumstances,
But most of all, when snowflakes fall,
Above all else, when winter's beauty descends,
I wish you love.
I wish you an abundance of love and affection.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amoryah
I Wish You Love
Goodbye, no use leading with our chins
This is where our story ends
Never lovers, ever friends
Goodbye, let our hearts call it a day
But before you walk away
I sincerely want to say
I wish you bluebirds in the spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss, but more than this
I wish you love
And in July a lemonade
To cool you in some leafy glade
I wish you health
But more than wealth
I wish you love
My breaking heart and i agree
That you and i could never be
So with my best
My very best
I set you free
I wish you shelter from the storm
A cozy fire to keep you warm
But most of all when snowflakes fall
I wish you love
But most of all when snowflakes fall
I wish you love
I wish you love
I wish you love, love, love, love, love
I wish you love
Compositores: Drew Barfield / Paul Young
Letra de I Wish You Love © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
@jameslacey460
When I learned Dusty was going to sing one of my tunes I cried. It happened but it also took forever. She meanwhile got involved in a big-time confrontation with Phillips Records, had fallen into drugs and alcohol and I gave up any hope she'd ever record it. But I didn't give up on her personally. I knew she wasn't going to just quit because of "x", "y" or "z" and sure enough she didn't. Two years and severalmonths later, there it was..."See All Her Faces", title tune of the album no less. Damn! I should've been doing cartwheels but I shed a couple of tears of joy instead. If I never get another recording I won't care. Knowing that the individual who was my favorite singer of all times, male or female, I am good with that achievement forever. RIP Dusty and thank you so much.
@Hampsonful
One of my favourite Dusty songs too. Among many or course.
@mikegould4039
You wrote a beautiful song and how lucky to have it sung by a beautiful singer...
@jameslacey460
@Consuelo Patagonia WOW! I'm blown away!
@elizabethgeoghegan5167
This song is a treasure, and so was the lovely woman singing it. All my respect and wishing you love 💕
@enjoy7024
One of the best singers that ever walked the earth! Thank you Dusty!!
@OctoberOhio
Black and White Dusty RULES!
@Tenortalker
If only she knew that hundreds of thousands of people are still listening to her singing and loving her music making even years after her passing. Totally Unique Dusty
@loriromano6399
I often wonder about that. She might have realized something towards the end of her career. In terms of what her musical legacy would be. Wish she had that insight around 1975, at age 35, when she probably thought her career was just about over. Bet life would have been easier for her. Thankfully, she had a couple of comebacks. In 1979 and of course from 1987 to the end of her life, she was back in the charts and content. Dusty always measured her success I think in terms of her recordings but also whether or not a record charted. After being on top of the world throughout the 1960's, from 1969 to 1979 her 4 LP releases were not promoted and didn't chart very well. Sadly some record companies folded right after she'd worked so hard to record an LP. It wasn't until 20 years after she recorded the Memphis LP that it started getting the credit it deserved. Better late than never.
She was so ahead of her time and is timeless.
@rugbydazz2264
Really!! I'd say MILLIONS are still listening to her.