The album has an electronic sound, mostly influenced by the 80's rock scene, but it also had blues songs like "Before You Accuse Me", "Running On Faith" and "Hard Times". The strongest single from this album was "Bad Love," which earned him the 1990 Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Grammy Awards, and reached the #1 position on the Album Rock Chart. "Pretending" also reached the #1 position on the Album Rock Chart the previous year, remaining at the top for 5 weeks ("Bad Love" had only stayed for 3 weeks).
The album was a moderate commercial success, reaching just the 16th position on the Billboard 200 chart, but becoming his first solo studio album to go double platinum. This is one of Eric Clapton's favourite albums.
Pretending
Eric Clapton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How many times must we fall?
Living in lost memory you just recalled
Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right
Two go out work
Three stay home at night
That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
That's when I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Satisfied, but lost in love
Situations change
You're never who you used to think you are
How strange
That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
That's when I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending (pretending, pretending)
I get lost in alibis
Sadness can't prevail
Everybody knows how love can't fail
Don't be pretending
'Bout how you feel
Don't be pretending
The love is real
Don't be pretending
'Bout how you feel
Don't be pretending
To love is real
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending (pretending, pretending)
The lyrics to Eric Clapton's song Pretending express the idea that people often pretend to be something they're not or pretend to understand things they don't actually understand. The first stanza of the song suggests that we've all heard the same story multiple times and have failed many times before, but we must try again. The second verse highlights the difficulties of working together with others, as the band struggles to perfect their sound. The third verse talks about how people can get caught up in their own success, only to later realize that they don't truly understand what's happening.
The chorus of the song, "That's when she said she was pretending/Like she knew the plan/That's when I knew she was pretending/Pretending to understand", reveals that Clapton has been hurt by someone who falsely claimed to understand him. The repeated use of the word "pretending" emphasizes the idea that pretense can be harmful, particularly in romantic relationships. The second half of the song echoes this sentiment and urges listeners not to pretend about their feelings or the state of their relationships.
Overall, the lyrics of Pretending provide a commentary on the importance of authenticity and honesty in relationships. The song suggests that pretending to be someone you're not or pretending to understand something you don't can lead to heartbreak and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
How many times must we tell the tale?
How many times must we repeat the same old story?
How many times must we fall?
How many times must we fail?
Living in lost memory you just recalled
Living in a forgotten past that suddenly resurfaces
Working on the sound of the band
Trying to improve the music produced by the band
Trying to get the music right
Attempting to perfect the sound of the music
Two go out work
Two members of the band go out to work
Three stay home at night
Three members of the band stay at home at night
That's when she said she was pretending
The moment she admitted to pretending
Like she knew the plan
As if she understood everything
That's when I knew she was pretending
That's when I realized she was faking it
Pretending to understand
Faking comprehension
Pretending
Faking
Satisfied, but lost in love
Content, but unsure about love
Situations change
Circumstances alter
You're never who you used to think you are
You're not who you thought you were
How strange
How unusual
I get lost in alibis
I get caught up in making excuses
Sadness can't prevail
Depression cannot triumph
Everybody knows how love can't fail
Everyone knows that love cannot go awry
Don't be pretending
Do not fake
'Bout how you feel
About your emotions
The love is real
The love is authentic
To love is real
Loving is a true experience
Pretending
Faking
Pretending
Faking
Pretending
Faking
Pretending
Faking
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Lynn Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
01 Eric Clapton - Pretending Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
How many times must we tell the tale
How many times must we fall
Living in lost memory, you just recalled
Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right
Two go out working
Three stay home at night
That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
When I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Satisfied, but lost in love
Situations change
You're never who you used to think you are
How strange
That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
That's when I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
I get lost in alibis
Sadness can't prevail
Everybody knows strong love can't fail
Don't be pretending
'Bout how you feel
Don't be pretending
Your love is real
Don't be pretending
'Bout how you feel
Don't be pretending
That your love is real
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending (Pretending, Pretending)
Anonymous
02 Eric Clapton - Anything For Your Love Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
Gods got a plan, makin' it clear
Sweet little love song in your ear
Like hearts made of diamonds
Love will prevail
Put a little wind in your sail
I'd do anything, anything you can dream of
I'd do anything, anything for your love
For your love
Listen now baby, tell you true
Just how much that I love you
I gotta sweet feelin',
I know it's real
Kind of love you can't conceal
I'd do anything, anything you can dream of
I'd do anything, anything for your love
For your love
Musical Interlude
I'd do anything, anything you can dream of
I'd do anything, anything for your love
For your love
For your love
For your love
For your love
For your love
For your love
For your love
For your love
Anonymous
03 Eric Clapton - Bad Love Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
Oh, what a feeling I get when I'm with you
You take my heart into everything you do
And it makes me sad for the lonely people
I walked that road for so long
Now I know that I'm one of the lucky people
Your love is making me strong
I've had enough of bad love
I need something I can be proud of
I've had enough of bad love
No more bad love
And now I see that my life has been so blue
With all the heartaches I had 'till I met you
But I'm glad to say now that's all behind me
With you here by my side
And there's no more memories to remind me
Your love will keep me alive
I've had enough of bad love
I need something I can be proud of
I've had enough bad love
No more bad love
Musical Interlude
I've had enough of bad love
I need something I can be proud of
I've had enough of bad love
No more bad love
Had enough of bad love
I need something I can be proud of
I've had enough of bad love
No more bad love
I've had enough
I've had enough
No more bad love
Had enough
I've had enough
No more bad love
Anonymous
04 Eric Clapton - Running On Faith Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
Lately I've been running on faith
What else can a poor boy do
But my world will be right
Love comes over me
Lately I've been talking in my sleep
Can't imagine what I'd have to say
Except my world will be right
Love comes back your way
I've always been
One to take each and every day
Seems like by now
I'd find a love who cared, just for me
Then we'd go running on faith
All of our dreams would come true
And our world would be right
When love comes over me and you
Musical Interlude
I've always been
One to take each and every day
Seems like by now
I'd find a love who cared, just for me
Then we'd go running on faith
All of our dreams would come true
And our world will be right
Love comes over me,
Me
Yes it would
And love comes over you
And when love comes over you
Love comes over you
All our dreams babe will come true
Love comes over you
All our dreams will come true
I said love come over you,,,,,,,,,,
Anonymous
05 Eric Clapton - Hard Times Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
My mother told me
'Fore she passed away
Said, "Son, when I'm gone
Don't you forget to pray for"
'Cause there will be hard times
All those hard times
Who knows better than I
I soon found out
Just what she meant
When I had to pawn my clothes
Just to pay the rent
Talkin' 'bout hard times
All those hard, hard times
Who knows better than I
Musical Interlude
I had a woman
Who was always around
But, when I lost my money
She put me down
Talkin' 'bout hard times
All those hard yeah, yeah
Who knows better than I
Lord
One of these days
There'll be no more sorrow
For when I pass away
And no more hard times
No more hard yeah yeah
Who knows better than I
Anonymous
06 Eric Clapton - Hound Dog Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' round the door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' round the door
You can wag your tail
Ain't gonna feed you no more
You told me you was high class
I could see through that
You told me you was high class
I could see through that
And baby, I know
You ain't no real cool cat
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' round the door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' round the door
You can wag your tail
Ain't gonna feed you no more
Musical Interlude
You made me feel so blue
You made me weep and moan
You made me feel so blue
And you make me moan
'Cause I'm looking for a woman
All you're lookin' for is a home
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
Been snoopin' round the door
You ain't nothing but a hound dog
And you snoopin' round the door
Wag your tail
I don't feed you no more
Musical Outro
Anonymous
07 Eric Clapton - No Alibis Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
I beg your pardon,
Hello darlin'
This is me you're talkin' to
Sit down and tell me about it
And you don't have to shout it at me
Tell me what you really want to do
Don't give me no alibis
No untrue stories you're tryin' to justify
Don't want no alibis
Just another reason for another lie
And it gets steeper, the hole you dig gets deeper
You better stop, climb out (yeah)
Tryin' to give it all to you (all to you, but baby)
Baby, I can see right through you
Sometimes you lose what it's all about
Don't give me no alibis
Can't go through life (through life) tryin' to justify (justify)
Don't want no alibis
Just another reason for another lie
Musical Interlude
Don't give me no alibis
No untrue stories you're tryin' to justify
Don't want no alibis
Just another reason for another lie (lie)
The mountain gets steeper, the hole you dig is gettin' deeper
You better reach and pull yourself out
No one's ever gonna love you the way that I love you
I never want to see you doin' without
Don't give me no alibis
No untrue stories you're tryin' to justify
Don't want no alibis
Just another reason for another lie (alibis)
No untrue stories you're tryin' to justify
Don't want no alibis
Just another reason (reason) for another lie
Musical Outro
Anonymous
08 Eric Clapton - Run So Far Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
You fly
Out as your smile wears thin
And I sigh
Knowing the mess you're in
And you know that you can't get away
And you know you can't hide it from yourself
Lonely days, heavy heart
No escape, can only run so far
I know
Something I ought to say
Stuck here
Trying to find a way
And you know that you can't get away
And you know you can't hide it from yourself
Lonely nights, blue guitar
No way out, can only run so far
Lonesome tears, at the bar
One way street, can only run so far
I pray
That you might make it through
Those teardrops
Now seems a part of you
And you know that you can't get away
And you know you can't hide it from yourself
Fallin' down, under par
Can't get out, can only run so far
Lonely days, heavy heart
No escape, can only run so far
Lonesome tears, at the bar
One way street, can only run so far
Anonymous
09 Eric Clapton - Old Love Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
I can feel your body
When I'm lying in my bed
Too much confusion
Going 'round through my head
Makes me so angry
To know that the flame still burns
Why can't I get over?
When will I ever learn?
Old love
Leave me alone
Old love
Go on home
I can see your face
But I know that it's not real
Just an illusion
Caused by how I used to feel
Makes me so angry
To know now that the flame will always burn
Never get over
Know now that I'll never learn
Old love
Leave me alone
Old love
Go on home
Take me home, boys
Musical Interlude
Old love
Leave me alone
Old love
Go on home
Musical Outro
Anonymous
10 Eric Clapton - Breaking Point Lyrics From the 1989 - Eric Clapton - Journeyman
Well I just don't get it,
Can't make the pieces fit
I might just as well forget it,
But my heart won't let me quit
You say it's only a part of love, That's right
But I get a little worried sometimes when I start to lose
Tired of holding it together, when I know I'm going to blow another fuse
I'm at my breaking point, at my breaking point
I'm at my breaking point, at my breaking point
Well you're never gonna get it,
If you don't get up and try
Try and spread those wings around me,
Honey let me see you fly
You say it's only a part of love, That's right
But I get a little worried sometimes when I start to lose
Tired of holding it together, when I know I'm going to blow another fuse
I'm at my breaking point,
I'm at my breaking point
I'm at my breaking point,
My breaking point
I'm at my breaking point,
My breaking point
(My breaking point
My breaking point
My breaking point
My breaking point
My breaking point)
Maybe someday you'll recover,
I can see it in your eyes
One more thing that you'll discover, That you'll finally realize
I'm at my breaking point,
My breaking point
I'm at my breaking point, at my breaking point
My breaking point,
I'm at my breaking point, my breaking point
I'm at my breaking point, my breaking point
I'm at my breaking point, I'm at my breaking point…….
Musical Outro