In 1994, The Pretenders released this ballad about loyalty against all odds. Until this point I don’t think I’d ever heard anything but progressive rock tunes by this band, all of which were always pretty good but never top of any of my lists. And then came I’ll Stand By You. Chrissie Hynde’s voice is so earnest. You know she means every single word. She says all the things we say to the ones we love who are battling their demons. I’d venture a guess that this song is at the top of many people’s list of best songs, as most people can really relate to having that person in their lives who is their rock, their footing. I am lucky, as I can list several names of people who I KNOW would always have my back, would ground me when I need it, would never desert me even at the harshest of times. This song is a dedication to those people, because the same can be said from me to them.
From the historical writing archive. Original date: December 10, 2016. Recovered from local source material; editorial review is still in progress.