Video hit The Pretenders

The Pretenders - I' LL Stand By You (live)

"I'll Stand by You" is a 1994 song recorded by The Pretenders from their sixth studio album, Last of the Independents. Written by Chrissie Hynde in collaboration with the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg (who used the melody from Johann Sebastian Bach's Minuet for Lovers).

The song is a power ballad that pledges love and faithful assistance in times of personal darkness. Since its initial release, "I'll Stand by You" has also become a major hit for British girl group Girls Aloud in 2004 and Carrie Underwood in 2007, both times recorded as a charity single.

Other versions:

The song was also recorded by Patti Labelle on her 2005 album Classic Moments. She performed the song as a tribute to Destiny's Child when they won an award for being the best selling female group of all time. She also performed the song on the NBC show 'Clash of the Choirs, where she had one of her choir members sing the lead vocals.

Rod Stewart covered the song for his 2006 album Still the Same... Great Rock Classics of Our Time.

American Idol Season 6 contestant Gina Glocksen performed the song in the Top 10 round.

In 2009, the cast of Glee covered the song for the episode "Ballad" for Finn's unborn child. The song can be heard on the compilation Glee: The Music, Volume 2.

The girl group "Belle Amie" performed the song in the 2010 X Factor finals.

One of American Idol Season 10 Top 24 Girls, Pia Toscano, performed this song, in which the judges made their first standing ovation of the season.

Kim Wilde released a version of the song in 2011 as a bonus track on her covers album Snapshots".

Girl Group Fifth Harmony performed the song on the second season of The X Factor USA during Thanksgiving week.

The lyrics:

Oh, why you look so sad?

Tears are in your eyes

Come on and come to me now

Don't be ashamed to cry

Let me see you through

'cause I've seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you

You don't know what to do

Nothing you confess

Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

So if you're mad, get mad

Don't hold it all inside

Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide?

I get angry too

Well I'm a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads

And don't know which path to choose

Let me come along

'cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you

And when...

When the night falls on you, baby

You're feeling all alone

You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Take me in, into your darkest hour

And I'll never desert you

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

Won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you