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.
The Wait
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The wait child pinball child pool hall child hurts
The wait child pacing child forth back now hurts
The wait child neon light late night lights hurt
Oh gonna hurt some child child
Gonna hurt some whoa my baby
The wait child crest felled child tear eyed child hurts
The wait child bus stop child late come child hurts
The wait child platform walk idle talk hurts
Oh gonna hurt some child child
Gonna hurt some whoa my baby
I said child, child staring into the streetlight
Messed up child lonely boy tonight
Kick the wall turn the street and back again
Oh boy you've been forgotten
I said the wait child pacing child forth and back now hurts
The wait child bus stop child late come child hurts
The wait child pool hall child pin table now hurts
The wait child magic child work it on out now work it
Oh gonna hurt some, child, child, child, child, child
Gonna hurt some whoa my baby
The Pretenders' "The Wait" is a song about the physical and emotional pain caused by waiting for something, be it a person, an event, or simply an end to a difficult situation. The lyrics are fragmented and repetitive, mirroring the restless and anxious state of the singer. The first verse introduces a series of child archetypes - the magic child, the pinball child, the pool hall child, the pacing child - all of whom are hurting in some way. The use of child imagery highlights the vulnerability and helplessness we often feel when we're stuck in a difficult situation and can't seem to make progress. The chorus repeats the phrase "gonna hurt some child" as if to suggest that the wait has become unbearable and someone or something is going to have to bear the brunt of the singer's frustration and pain.
The second verse focuses more squarely on the singer's own experiences. They are bruised, pride-slapped, and tear-eyed, suggesting that they have been in a fight or argument with someone. The mention of a bus stop and a platform suggests that they are waiting for someone to arrive, but they are idle and lonely in the meantime. The repeated use of "hurts" reinforces the physical and emotional toll of waiting. The final verse adds a layer of desperation and abandonment, with the singer addressing a "messed up child lonely boy" who has been forgotten by someone. The song ends on the same note of restlessness and unresolved emotion that it began with.
Overall, "The Wait" is a powerful and raw portrayal of the frustration and pain that comes with waiting. It captures the sense of helplessness and impatience that we've all experienced at some point, and highlights the toll that waiting can take on both our bodies and minds.
Line by Line Meaning
Said the wait child magic child work it on out now work it
Urging someone to work it out and keep themselves busy during the wait.
The wait child pinball child pool hall child hurts
The pain of waiting with only distractions like pinball and pool to occupy one's time.
The wait child pacing child forth back now hurts
The physical discomfort of continuously pacing back and forth while waiting.
The wait child neon light late night lights hurt
The emotional pain of waiting in the harsh glow of neon lights late into the night.
Oh gonna hurt some child child
Gonna hurt some whoa my baby
The promise of causing pain to others, possibly out of frustration from waiting.
Said the wait child bruised ball child pride slapped child hurts
Feeling hurt and degraded, as if one's pride has been stripped away.
The wait child crest felled child tear eyed child hurts
The pain of losing something important, represented by a fallen crest and tears.
The wait child bus stop child late come child hurts
The frustration of waiting for someone who is late or might not even show up.
The wait child platform walk idle talk hurts
The discomfort of idle chatter and small talk while waiting on a platform.
I said child, child staring into the streetlight
A description of someone lost in thought, possibly while waiting.
Messed up child lonely boy tonight
Feeling troubled and alone while waiting.
Kick the wall turn the street and back again
A description of nervous energy and restlessness during the wait.
Oh boy you've been forgotten
Feeling neglected and ignored while waiting for something or someone.
The wait child pacing child forth and back now hurts
Reiteration of the physical discomfort of pacing back and forth while waiting.
The wait child bus stop child late come child hurts
Reiteration of the frustration and pain of waiting for someone who is late or might not even show up.
The wait child pool hall child pin table now hurts
Reiteration of the pain of waiting with only distractions like pool to occupy one's time.
The wait child magic child work it on out now work it
Reiteration of the urgency to work it out and keep oneself busy during the wait.
Oh gonna hurt some, child, child, child, child, child
Gonna hurt some whoa my baby
Reiteration of the promise of causing pain to others, possibly out of frustration from waiting.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Christine Hynde, Peter Farndon
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.