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.
Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can feel it
But I want you more than before
So I conceal it
Walk on, walk on baby
Don't look back
This happy face is just a disguise
Oh baby
Nothing breaks like a heart
Nothing breaks like a heart
Glass shatters, even cars fall apart
Nothing breaks like a heart
When you walked out
At first I celebrated
But this footloose, fancy free stuff's overrated
Oh I got my way
Now I'm free to roam
These tears of laughter are just lies
Oh baby
When love dies
Nothing breaks like a heart
Nothing breaks like a heart
Glass shatters, even cars fall apart
Nothing breaks like a heart
Oh, oh, oh
I feel so bad bad bad
Oh, oh oh
I'm so sad sad sad
I wasn't this shook in the L.A. earthquake
How much can one heart break?
You don't love me anymore
I can feel it
But I want you more than before
So I conceal it
Walk on, walk on baby
Don't look back
This crumbling heart is no surprise
Oh baby, when love dies
Nothing breaks like a heart
Nothing breaks like a heart
Glass shatters, even cars fall apart
Nothing breaks like a heart
Oh, nothing breaks like a heart
Oh, nothing breaks like a heart
Oh, nothing breaks like a heart
The lyrics to The Pretenders’ song “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” are about the end of a relationship and the pain that comes with it. The first verse speaks to the feeling of knowing that the love is gone but still wanting the other person. The singer hides their feelings and puts on a happy face, but the chorus makes clear that nothing is as painful as a broken heart. The second verse is more upbeat with the singer initially celebrating their newfound freedom, but realizing its not all it’s cracked up to be. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the universal experience of having a broken heart. The final verse echoes the first with the same sentiments repeated.
Overall, the song explores the idea that while love can bring great joy, it can also bring intense pain. It emphasizes the universality of heartbreak – something most people have experienced at some point in their lives. The chorus emphasizes the idea that nothing is as painful as a broken heart, and the song speaks to the ups and downs of the end of a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't love me anymore
The singer is aware that their partner no longer loves them.
I can feel it
The singer is able to sense the lack of love from their partner.
But I want you more than before
Despite knowing that their partner no longer loves them, the singer still desires them.
So I conceal it
The artist hides their feelings from their partner.
Walk on, walk on baby
The artist is telling their partner to move on and not look back.
Don't look back
The singer is advising their partner to not dwell on the past.
This happy face is just a disguise
The singer is pretending to be happy when they are actually feeling sad inside.
Oh baby
The artist is addressing their partner.
When love dies
The artist is referring to the end of their relationship.
Nothing breaks like a heart
The artist is stating that the pain of a broken heart is difficult to endure.
Glass shatters, even cars fall apart
The singer is using a metaphor to compare the fragility of a heart to that of glass and cars.
When you walked out
The artist is referring to their partner leaving them.
At first I celebrated
The singer initially felt happy about the breakup.
But this footloose, fancy free stuff's overrated
The singer now realizes that being single and carefree is not as great as they had thought.
Oh I got my way
The singer is suggesting that their desire to be single was granted.
Now I'm free to roam
The artist is now able to do what they want without having to consider their partner.
These tears of laughter are just lies
The artist is pretending to be happy, but is actually feeling sad.
Oh baby
The singer is addressing their partner.
When love dies
The singer is referring to the end of their relationship.
Nothing breaks like a heart
The artist is stating that the pain of a broken heart is difficult to endure.
Oh, oh, oh
The artist is expressing their inner turmoil.
I feel so bad bad bad
The artist is feeling extremely sad.
Oh, oh oh
The singer is continuing to express their sadness.
I'm so sad sad sad
The artist is emphasizing their sadness.
I wasn't this shook in the L.A. earthquake
The singer is saying that their heartache is worse than the experience of a physical earthquake.
How much can one heart break?
The singer is questioning how much more pain their heart can withstand.
This crumbling heart is no surprise
The singer is not surprised that their heart is breaking.
Oh baby, when love dies
The artist is referring to the end of their relationship.
Nothing breaks like a heart
The artist is stating that the pain of a broken heart is difficult to endure.
Oh, nothing breaks like a heart
The singer is repeating the line from earlier to emphasize their pain.
Oh, nothing breaks like a heart
The singer is repeating the line once again to drive home the point of the song.
Lyrics © Regard Music, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Billy Steinberg, Chrissie Hynde, Tom Kelly
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.