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.
When I Change My Life
The Pretenders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There'll be no more disgrace
The deeds of my past
Will be erased
And you'll forgive me
Then you will come back
Hold my hand and say "I still love you"
When I change my life
And all the scars have faded
I'll be someone you look up to
Not excused when your friends come around
And you'll want me always to be there
You'll be proud to say "I'm with her"
When I change my life
I want a place in the sun - I do
I want to be in love with someone
I want to forget every regret
And all those rotten things that I put you through
When I change my life
And the idiot me
Leaves this town forever
Leaves us to be
Together - for the rest of our lives
Happily forever and ever
When I change my life
The song "When I Change My Life" by The Pretenders is a heartfelt plea for forgiveness and a promise to change for the better. The lyrics express regret and a desire to erase past mistakes in order to win back the love and respect of someone who has been hurt. The singer acknowledges that they have caused disgrace and inflicted scars in the past, but they believe that if they can change their ways and become a better person, they can earn forgiveness and a second chance. They want to be someone that their loved one can be proud of and not someone who is excused or avoided when friends are around.
The lyrics showcase the theme of transformation and redemption. The singer clearly recognizes their past failures, but they also express a powerful desire to do better and make amends. The song's message is one of hope and the transformative power of love. The singer believes that if they can change their life, they can win back their partner's love and build a future together.
Overall, "When I Change My Life" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the complexities of human relationships and the powerful desire for redemption and transformation. The lyrics express the pain of past mistakes but also the hope for a better future, and the song's message reminds us of the power of love to heal and transform.
Line by Line Meaning
When I change my life
I am acknowledging my past mistakes and expressing my desire to change my ways for the better.
There'll be no more disgrace
I will no longer feel ashamed of myself or bring negative consequences to myself and those around me.
The deeds of my past
The wrongs I have done in the past.
Will be erased
I hope to be forgiven and that my actions will no longer haunt me in the future.
And you'll forgive me
I hope that those whom I have wronged in the past will find it in their hearts to forgive me for my actions.
Then you will come back
I hope that my loved ones will return to my life and that our relationships will be restored.
Hold my hand and say "I still love you"
I hope for a reaffirmation of love and support from those I have hurt in the past.
And all the scars have faded
I hope for healing in my relationships and for a chance to start anew with those I have wronged in the past.
I'll be someone you look up to
I hope to become a better person and be looked upon with admiration by those around me.
Not excused when your friends come around
I will no longer be a source of embarrassment and will be welcomed in social gatherings without reservations.
And you'll want me always to be there
I hope to become a reliable and dependable presence in the lives of those who matter to me.
You'll be proud to say "I'm with her"
I hope to make those who stand by me proud of their association with me.
I want a place in the sun - I do
I desire success, happiness, and fulfillment in my life.
I want to be in love with someone
I hope to find love and companionship in my life.
I want to forget every regret
I hope to leave my regrets in the past and move forward towards a brighter future.
And all those rotten things that I put you through
I acknowledge the hurt I have caused my loved ones and the negative impact my actions have had on them.
And the idiot me
I acknowledge my past mistakes and shortcomings.
Leaves this town forever
I hope to distance myself from my past and move on to a better future.
Leaves us to be
I hope to be able to focus on my relationships and improve them without any external distractions.
Together - for the rest of our lives
I hope to have lasting, fulfilling relationships with those who matter to me.
Happily forever and ever
I hope for happiness, joy, and fulfillment in my relationships and life in general.
When I change my life
I reiterate my desire to change my ways for the better and embark on a journey towards a better, happier future.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTINE 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.