About the song
The Platters, an American doo-wop group known for their smooth harmonies and romantic ballads, released “The Great Pretender” as a timeless love song that has captivated audiences for decades. This heartfelt and soulful track, released in 1955, became a hit single and a defining song for the band’s iconic sound.
With their distinctive harmonies and emotive vocals, The Platters explore the universal themes of love, deception, and the complexities of human relationships. Through introspective lyrics and the group’s soulful performance, listeners are invited to reflect on their own experiences and emotions.
The opening lines, “I love you, yes I do, but that’s a lie I’m telling you,” immediately establish the song’s central theme of deception. The lyrics continue to explore the singer’s conflicted emotions and his struggle to reconcile his love for his partner with his own personal desires. The song’s refrain, “The great pretender, oh yes, I am,” conveys a sense of guilt and shame.
Throughout the song, The Platters’ harmonies and nostalgic sound create a captivating and immersive listening experience. The group’s ability to evoke a sense of longing and introspection makes this song a timeless classic.
“The Great Pretender” is more than just a popular song; it is a cultural touchstone that has influenced countless artists and generations of music fans. The song’s heartfelt lyrics and soulful performance continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless and enduring piece of music history.
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Lyrics
Oh-oh, yes, I’m the great pretender
Pretending that I’m doing well
My need is such, I pretend too much
I’m lonely, but no one can tell
Oh-oh, yes, I’m the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I played the game but to my real shame
You’ve left me to grieve all alone
Too real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can’t conceal
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Yes, I’m the great pretender
Just laughin’ and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I’m not, you see
I’m wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you’re still around
Too real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can’t conceal
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Yes, I’m the great pretender
Just laughin’ and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I’m not, you see
I’m wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you’re still around
(Still around)