Jaffe's musical journey began while attending boarding school in Millbrook, New York. It was during this time that he adopted the name Del Water Gap, inspired by the sight of it handwritten on the back of a box truck. Initially, Jaffe played drums in a noise rock band, where he had limited opportunities to showcase his vocals. Seeking further education in music and sound production, he pursued studies at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU.
While Del Water Gap was originally a band, it eventually transitioned into Jaffe's solo project. The lineup underwent changes during his college years, including a collaboration with singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers, who was involved for a six-month period. Jaffe and Rogers initially connected during their freshman year of college, and they released the song "New Song," recorded in 2014. Collaborations have played a significant role in Jaffe's career, as he also worked with Claud on the single "My Body" and co-wrote and produced Claud's "Never Meant To Call."
In 2018, Jaffe signed with Terrible Records and released the single "Laid Down My Arms." This was followed by the release of the singles "Chastain" and "Theory of Emotion" as a lead-up to his third EP, "Don't Get Dark," also under Terrible Records.
Del Water Gap signed with Atlantic Records in 2020, and subsequently released the tracks "Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat" and "Mariposa." The song "Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat" gained significant attention when actresses Margaret Qualley and Kaitlyn Dever shared an Instagram video of themselves participating in a "socially distant dance party" to the song during the initial summer of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Del Water Gap joined Mom + Pop Music, releasing the single "Hurting Kind" along with a music video co-directed by Charlie Plummer. The video received support from MTV, and images from the shoot were featured in GQ. Del Water Gap's debut album was released with Mom + Pop Music in October 2021, followed by a headline tour and a support tour alongside Jeremy Zucker.
Let's Pretend
Del Water Gap Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At seven in the morning
You fuck me like an old friend
You say your ex was pretty boring,
Well me too
When we walk into bodegas
I thank God they're open late-night
We'll play dress-up and I might need you
And I'll still pretend that I'm your man
And you'll never mind
Me staying out
When you're at home in bed
And it's the fool
Who fell for you
No, it's not me talking,
Don't believe a word he says to you
Oh let's pretend you'll picture me too
So tell me what you're into
And I can do you that way
Throw you back against the window
Leave your clothes all in the hallway
With your shoes
Show me to your best friends
I'll wear a brand new t-shirt
So a better first impression
Is what I leave
When it's all over with you
And I'll still pretend that I'm your man
And you'll never mind me staying out
When you're at home in bed
Oh and it's the fool who fell for you
No, it's not me talking,
Don't believe a word he says to you
Oh let's pretend you'll picture me too
Yeah ooh-sha-la-la,
Ooh-sha-la-la
Ooh-sha-la-la,
Ooh-sha-la-la
Ooh-sha-la-la,
Ooh-sha-la-la
So let's pretend that I'm your man
And you'll never mind me staying out
When you're at home in bed
Oh and it's the fool
Who fell for you
No, it's not me talking,
Don't believe a single word he says to you
Oh let's pretend you'll picture me too
Oh let's pretend you'll picture me too
Oh let's pretend you'll picture me too
The song Let's Pretend by Del Water Gap is a beautiful rendition about the complexities of modern relationships. The opening lines of the song immediately establish the singer's awareness of the multiplicity of the roles they play in their relationship. Despite knowing that their partner is seeing other people and is not fully committed, the singer chooses to accept their role as a side piece, pretending to be their "man". In doing so, they acknowledge the deception in the relationship, but are willing to play along, highlighting the compromises they are willing to make for love.
The song also touches on themes of desire, intimacy and vulnerability. The lines "So tell me what you're into/And I can do you that way/Throw you back against the window/Leave your clothes all in the hallway/With your shoes" are a clear illustration of the singer's willingness to please their partner, no matter how intimate or awkward the situation might be. There is also a sense of loneliness in the song, as the singer imagines being a part of their partner's life in a more meaningful way, even if it's just "playing dress-up".
Overall, Let's Pretend is a captivating exploration of what it means to be in a complicated relationship, filled with longing, desire and the search for intimacy and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you work on weekends
You mention that you are occupied during weekends
At seven in the morning
The time you work on weekends is 7 AM
You fuck me like an old friend
Our intimate relationship is similar to how old friends behave with each other
You say your ex was pretty boring,
Your previous partner was not very exciting according to you
Well me too
I also consider myself unexciting
When we walk into bodegas
When we enter small groceries or convenience stores
I thank God they're open late-night
I am grateful that they operate until late at night
Maybe someday I could date you
There could be a possibility of us dating someday
We'll play dress-up and I might need you
We could dress up and I may require your assistance
And I'll still pretend that I'm your man
I will continue to act like I am your partner
And you'll never mind
You won't be bothered
Me staying out
If I am outside late at night
When you're at home in bed
When you are already asleep in your bed
And it's the fool
It is foolishness
Who fell for you
The person who fell in love with you
No, it's not me talking,
Another person is not speaking here
Don't believe a word he says to you
Do not trust anything he tells you
Oh let's pretend you'll picture me too
Let's imagine that you will visualize me in a certain way
So tell me what you're into
Please share with me what you are interested in
And I can do you that way
I can perform in the way you like
Throw you back against the window
Push you against the window
Leave your clothes all in the hallway
Leave your attire in the hallway
With your shoes
As well as your shoes
Show me to your best friends
Introduce me to your closest friends
I'll wear a brand new t-shirt
I will wear a new t-shirt
So a better first impression
To give a good first impression
Is what I leave
Is my intention
When it's all over with you
After everything is done with us
Yeah ooh-sha-la-la,
Making a sound
Ooh-sha-la-la
Making a sound
So let's pretend that I'm your man
Let's imagine that I am your partner
And you'll never mind me staying out
You won't be bothered if I am outside late at night
No, it's not me talking,
Another person is not speaking here
Don't believe a single word he says to you
Do not trust anything he tells you
Oh let's pretend you'll picture me too
Let's imagine that you will visualize me in a certain way
Contributed by Kennedy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DelWaterGap
NEW SONG IS ALIVE stream and download “ode”: https://found.ee/DWGOde
@nanasouliman
"So tell me what you’re into
And I can do you that way”
Most romantic line I’ve ever heard
@DelWaterGap
<3
@kuddles23
And they say romance is dead...
@victriahall5862
the man whom I loved most recommended it to me. listening to this reminds him, it hurts.... but I think I should move on. enough is enough.
@chantaeguzman9463
This song will never fail to put a smile on my face and make me want to do something outrageous and downright fun
@mrlmaokun
Love from Trinidad ❤️❤️
@mattr6317
This song has been on repeat in my head all week, y’all have such a good sound!
@BrambleHead
mark my words, yall are about to get real popular
@maddied2478
I’ve been obsessed with this song for the past three weeks and I have it on repeat!