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.
Middle of the Road
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm standing in the middle of life with my plans behind me
Well I got a smile for everyone I meet
As long as you don't try dragging my bay
Or dropping the bomb on my street
Now come on baby
Get in the road
In the middle of the road, yeah
In the middle of the road you see the darnedest things
Like fat guys driving 'round in jeeps through the city
Wearing big diamond rings and silk suits
Past corrugated tin shacks full up with kids
Oh man I don't mean a Hampstead nursery
When you own a big chunk of the bloody third world
The babies just come with the scenery
Oh come on baby
Get in the road
Oh come on now
In the middle of the road, yeah
The middle of the road is no private cul-de-sac
I can't get from the cab to the curb
Without some little jerk on my back
Don't harass me, can't you tell
I'm going home, I'm tired as hell
I'm not the cat I used to be
I got a kid, I'm thirty-three
Baby, get in the road
Come on now
In the middle of the road
Yeah
In The Pretenders' hit song "Middle of the Road," lead singer Chrissie Hynde is expressing her disillusionment with the concept of the middle path in life. The opening line, "The middle of the road is trying to find me," suggests that society is pressuring her to conform to a certain standard or lifestyle, but she refuses to do so. She feels she has been left behind by life and those around her, as she stands "in the middle of life with my plans behind me."
Hynde proclaims she has a "smile for everyone I meet," but draws the line at people trying to bring her down or disrupt her life. She states that if anyone "try dragging my bay or dropping the bomb on my street," she is not afraid to retaliate. Hynde then urges her listeners to "get in the road," which represents a refusal to take the easy way out in life and instead stay true to their own convictions.
In the second verse, Hynde provides a vivid contrast between the wealthy and the destitute, describing "fat guys driving 'round in jeeps through the city/Wearing big diamond rings and silk suits/Past corrugated tin shacks full up with kids." She makes it clear that the babies she sees in the impoverished neighborhoods are not just decoration, as they "just come with the scenery" when you're a wealthy person owning a "big chunk of the bloody third world." The chorus repeats, with Hynde encouraging everyone to "get in the road" and not be afraid to take a stand.
Line by Line Meaning
The middle of the road is trying to find me
The singer feels pressured to conform to the mainstream and is struggling to maintain their personal identity.
I'm standing in the middle of life with my plans behind me
The singer feels stuck in the present moment and unable to progress towards their goals.
Well I got a smile for everyone I meet
The singer puts on a façade of happiness and amiability in social situations.
As long as you don't try dragging my bay
The artist is willing to maintain their outward pleasantness as long as no one threatens their personal space or security.
Or dropping the bomb on my street
The artist is wary of unexpected negative events disrupting their life.
Now come on baby
The singer is addressing someone they are close to or care about.
Get in the road
The singer is urging their companion to join them in their personal journey, which may involve taking risks and stepping outside societal norms.
In the middle of the road, yeah
The artist is emphasizing the unconventional, unpredictable nature of their path.
In the middle of the road you see the darnedest things
The artist is observing the strangeness and absurdity of life from their non-conformist perspective.
Like fat guys driving 'round in jeeps through the city
The artist is noticing how people use material possessions to compensate for personal insecurities.
Wearing big diamond rings and silk suits
The singer is recognizing the superficiality and emptiness of wealth and status symbols.
Past corrugated tin shacks full up with kids
The artist is contrasting the extravagance of the rich with the poverty and hardship of others.
Oh man I don't mean a Hampstead nursery
The singer is pointing out that their observations are not limited to a certain type of environment, but are applicable to all kinds of situations.
When you own a big chunk of the bloody third world
The singer is highlighting the injustice and exploitation that often accompany wealth and power.
The babies just come with the scenery
The singer is criticizing the way that the less fortunate are viewed as mere background elements, rather than as individuals with their own needs and rights.
The middle of the road is no private cul-de-sac
The artist is reminding listeners that true individuality cannot be achieved by simply following the status quo, and that conformity ultimately leads to a lack of authenticity and fulfillment.
I can't get from the cab to the curb
The artist is indicating that even small acts of independence may be met with resistance or disapproval from society.
Without some little jerk on my back
The singer is frustrated with the constant pressure and scrutiny they face as a non-conformist.
Don't harass me, can't you tell
The singer is asking for respect and understanding from those who oppose or misunderstand their lifestyle choices.
I'm going home, I'm tired as hell
The artist is acknowledging the fatigue and stress that comes with challenging societal norms constantly.
I'm not the cat I used to be
The artist has changed and grown as a person due to their unique experiences and perspective.
I got a kid, I'm thirty-three
The artist is highlighting their personal responsibilities and obligations, which impact their ability to lead a non-conventional life.
Baby, get in the road
The singer is emphasizing their desire for shared experiences and mutual understanding with their companion.
Come on now
The artist is urging their companion to act quickly and take advantage of the present moment.
In the middle of the road
The singer is reiterating the unpredictable and unconventional nature of their journey.
Yeah
The singer is expressing enthusiasm and positivity towards the path they have chosen.
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP
Written by: Chrissie 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.