The Pretenders is an English-American rock band founded in Hereford, United… Read Full Bio ↴The Pretenders is an English-American rock band founded in Hereford, United Kingdom that came to prominence during the punk and new wave movement of the late 1970s due to their innovative songwriting and charismatic performances. Since then, the band has experienced drug-related losses and numerous subsequent personnel changes, with American-born group founder, songwriter, vocalist, and rhythm guitarist Chrissie Hynde as the only consistent member.

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.

Show Me
The Pretenders Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Show me the meaning of the word
Show me the meaning of the word
'Cause I've heard so much about it
They say, "Hey, you can't live without it"

Welcome to the human race
With its wars, disease and brutality
You with your innocence and grace

Restore some pride and dignity
To a world in decline

Welcome to a special place
In a heart of stone that's cold and gray
You with your angel face
Keep the despair at bay
Send it away, and

Show me the meaning of the word
Show me the meaning of the word
'Cause I've heard so much about it
I don't want to live without it
I don't want to live without it
Oh, I want love
I want love
I want love

Welcome here from outer space
The Milky Way is still in your eyes
You found yourself a hopeless case
One that's seeking perfection on earth
That's some kind of rebirth, so

Show me the meaning of the word
Show me the meaning of the word
'Cause I've heard so much about it
Don't make me live without it
Oh, love
I want love
I want

Love
I want love

Overall Meaning

The song Show Me by The Pretenders is a plea to understand what love truly means. It starts by asking someone to show the meaning of the word 'love' since it is said that one cannot live without it. The lyrics then take a turn to describe the world in its present state with its wars, disease, and brutality. The innocence and grace of the person addressed in the song, according to the lyrics, can restore some pride and dignity to a world in decline.

The song then takes a turn towards reflecting on the person's 'angel face' and how it can keep despair at bay. The singer, seemingly from outer space, is welcomed but is seen as a hopeless case by himself. The lyrics suggest that seeking perfection on Earth is some kind of rebirth. Finally, the song ends as it began - with the plea for love.

The lyrics are a plea for meaning in a world full of chaos and despair. It's both a call to action for a better world, but also a call to understand what truly matters. Through the lens of the lyrics, it is evident that love is what truly matters in a world where everything else seems to be tumbling down.

Line by Line Meaning

Show me the meaning of the word
Help me understand what this word really means

Show me the meaning of the word
Clarify the definition to me

'Cause I've heard so much about it
I've heard many different things, but I want the truth

They say, "Hey, you can't live without it"
People believe this word is essential to live

Welcome to the human race
Greeting to the imperfect human world

With its wars, disease and brutality
A world filled with conflict, illness, and cruel behavior

You with your innocence and grace
You with your purity and elegance

Restore some pride and dignity
Bring back respect and honor to humanity

To a world in decline
A world that is deteriorating

Welcome to a special place
Referring to the cold and dark place in one's heart

In a heart of stone that's cold and gray
A metaphor for a heart that's numb and emotionless