She first came to the spotlight when she released her single “Why Did You Lie?” in 2017. Since then she has released “Only One” which has become her biggest hit climbing the Spotify Viral Charts, and, Spotify’s Today’s Top Hits chart. The song peaked at 23 on Today’s Top Hits Chart.
Pretender
Carlie Hanson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mirror in the fog
Watch it wearing off
Talk, all you do is talk
Everything's a front
It's funny 'til it's not
Do do do
Do do do
Pretender, what you are
Do you see yourself at all?
Is your heart so out of touch?
You always swear you're gone
Sayin' that you've had enough
But your feet are stuck
Why you always in the mud?
What the fuck is your problem?
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
I microdose my constant need
To give myself false hope
The fake I've come to know, I need
My tears turn into gold
And I'm pretending that it's worth it all
I'm the pretender (I'm the pretender)
Yeah yeah yeah (pretender)
Yeah yeah yeah (pretender)
Yeah yeah yeah (pretender)
Yeah yeah yeah
Pretender, what you are
Do you see yourself at all?
Is your heart so out of touch? (yeah yeah yeah)
You always swear you're gone
Sayin' that you've had enough
But your feet are stuck
Why you always in the mud?
What the fuck is your problem?
Pretender what you are
Mirror in the fog
Watch it wearing off
Do do do
Do do do
Do do do
In "Pretender" by Carlie Hanson, the lyrics express a sense of disappointment and frustration towards someone who puts up a facade and pretends to be someone they're not. The song begins by calling the person a "pretender" and compares them to a mirror in the fog, suggesting that their true identity is obscured or unclear. The line, "Watch it wearing off," implies that the singer sees through the person's act and becomes aware of their true intentions.
The lyrics continue to criticize the person's constant talking, suggesting that everything they say is insincere and merely a front. The humor in their pretense is highlighted, but it quickly turns sour when it becomes apparent that this behavior is not genuine or authentic. The repetition of "do do do" following these lines acts as a musical interlude, allowing the listener to absorb the meaning behind the words.
The chorus reinforces the theme of the person being a pretender and questions whether they can see themselves for who they truly are. It questions their emotional awareness and suggests a detachment from their own heart. The lyrics mention that this person frequently claims they've had enough and are ready to move on, but they always find themselves stuck, unable to break free from their own patterns and problems.
The bridge delves deeper into the singer's perspective, revealing that they themselves have a constant need to give themselves false hope. They rely on this "fake" image they have created and become comfortable with it. The mention of their tears turning into gold symbolizes the transformation of their pain and vulnerability into something valuable. Despite understanding that this pretense is not genuine, they convince themselves that it is worth it.
The song ends by reprising the chorus, emphasizing the frustration and confusion toward the person who continues to deceive themselves and others. The repetition of "do do do" in the last lines provides a sense of continuity and closure to the song.
Overall, "Pretender" is a song that explores the deceptive nature of someone who consistently portrays themselves as someone they are not. It delves into the singer's frustration and disappointment in this person while also acknowledging their own participation in the act of pretending.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretender, what you are
You are pretending to be someone you're not
Mirror in the fog
You are a reflection that is unclear and hard to understand
Watch it wearing off
The illusion and façade you're putting up is starting to fade away
Talk, all you do is talk
You only communicate using empty words and promises
Everything's a front
Your entire persona is just a fake image you portray
It's funny 'til it's not
Your pretense may seem amusing, but it becomes serious when the truth is revealed
Do do do
Repetitive non-meaningful sounds
Pretender, what you are
You are pretending to be someone you're not
Do you see yourself at all?
Are you even aware of who you truly are?
Is your heart so out of touch?
Have you become disconnected from your own emotions?
You always swear you're gone
You constantly claim that you will leave or change
Sayin' that you've had enough
Stating that you are fed up with the situation
But your feet are stuck
You find it difficult to move forward or make a change
Why you always in the mud?
Why do you consistently find yourself in troublesome or stagnant situations?
What the fuck is your problem?
What is the underlying issue that is causing your behavior?
Yeah yeah yeah
Empty expressions of agreement or acknowledgement
I microdose my constant need
I incrementally indulge in my constant desire
To give myself false hope
To deceive myself into believing in something unrealistic or unlikely
The fake I've come to know, I need
I have become accustomed to the fake version of myself and I depend on it
My tears turn into gold
I turn my emotional pain into something valuable or desirable
And I'm pretending that it's worth it all
I am pretending that all the pretending and fake persona is worth the effort
I'm the pretender (I'm the pretender)
I am the one who pretends to be someone I'm not
Yeah yeah yeah (pretender)
Empty expressions of agreement or acknowledgement (pretender)
Pretender, what you are
You are pretending to be someone you're not
Do you see yourself at all?
Are you even aware of who you truly are?
Is your heart so out of touch? (yeah yeah yeah)
Have you become disconnected from your own emotions? (empty expressions of agreement or acknowledgement)
You always swear you're gone
You constantly claim that you will leave or change
Sayin' that you've had enough
Stating that you are fed up with the situation
But your feet are stuck
You find it difficult to move forward or make a change
Why you always in the mud?
Why do you consistently find yourself in troublesome or stagnant situations?
What the fuck is your problem?
What is the underlying issue that is causing your behavior?
Pretender what you are
You are pretending to be someone you're not
Mirror in the fog
You are a reflection that is unclear and hard to understand
Watch it wearing off
The illusion and façade you're putting up is starting to fade away
Do do do
Repetitive non-meaningful sounds
Do do do
Repetitive non-meaningful sounds
Do do do
Repetitive non-meaningful sounds
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carlie Hanson, Gabe Reali, LIXA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@codyturner9813
So good . This one is definitely got that 90s alt rock vibe that I cherish so much
@casper8849
Same
@KayF25
Carlie is so underrated, love her music sm:) been listening to her nonstop.
@WhimsicalASMR60
Is it just me or does this have so much angst still a bop nonethless love you Carlie ❤️🔥
@gustavohernandez-mi1yi
Heard this on Instagram just wanna say keep doing what you do. This is amazing this inspired me to write music again.❤
@Xtrememunkie
Amazing vocals, heart and sound. Keep it up, forever a fan.
@mementomori7446
This gave me chills!! Absolutely amazing!❤
@dorostd1901
I love you and your whole team for this beautiful nice song! On repeat today the whole ride back home from school... tomorrow again! 😂😅❤ amazing voice! ❤ :DD
@kiki_heartz
This is so good🖤 Definitely one of my favourites from you
@atomokee8423
Nostálgico y genial pero con un aire fresco esto es loco lo amo.