Coming from Lansing, Michigan, For the Fallen Dreams signed to Rise Records… Read Full Bio ↴Coming from Lansing, Michigan, For the Fallen Dreams signed to Rise Records during the summer of 2007. The band's 2008 debut release 'Changes' caught the ears and hearts of many, making them one of the biggest acts playing metalcore with a melodic hardcore influence. Their second full length, 'Relentless', was released in 2009. Back Burner was released on May 24, 2011 through Rise Records.

Current members:
Vocals - Chad Ruhlig (Legend) (2006-2008) (rejoined since 2013)
Guitar - Jim Hocking (since 2003)
Bass - Brandon Stastny (Thick As Blood (since 2011)
Drums - Navid Naghdi (ex-ABACABB) (since 2013)

Former members:
Drums - Andrew Tkaczyk (The Ghost Inside) (2003-2011) (songwriter since 2013)
Bass - Chris Ash (2003)
Vocals - Chen BiFlakes (2003)
Vocals - Aaron Long (ex-X-Ray Of A Graveyard (2003-2004)
Bass - Pat Hahn (ex-And Hell Followed With (2004)
Bass - Josh Misch (2004)
Guitar - Chris Croll (2004-2005)
Vocals, Keyboards - Andrew Juhl (2004-2006)
Bass - Scott Sparks (ex-Legend (2005)
Guitar - Josh Dore (2005-2006)
Bass - Scott Green (2006)
Guitar - Marcus Morgan (2006-2007)
Bass/Vocals - Joe Ellis (ex-Too Pure To Die &Legend now in First Blood) (2007-2010)
Guitar - Jason Spencer (ex-From Under The Gallows now in Wilson) (2007-2008)
Vocals - Dylan Richter (ex-From Under The Gallows (2008-2013)
Guitar - Chris Cain (ex-Elysia now in Bury Your Dead) (2008-2009)
Guitar - Kalan Blehm (ex-We Were Gentlemen now in Attila) (2009-2012)
Bass - Richard Neupert (ex-We Were Gentlemen (2010) (fill-in 2011)
Bass - Jaime Cano (2010-2011)
Drums - Will Weatherly [[artist]Kill ´Em All & Horns Become Halos (2011)
Bass - Jordan McPherson (2011) (ex-Through Storms And Struggle)
Drums - Arvin Sarathy (ex-Circle The Sky) (now tech for Motionless In White (2011-2012)
Drums - Dylan Shippey (Legend (2012)

Pretending
For the Fallen Dreams Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fool me once, you'll never fool me again
I'll never give you my hand
You're not even a friend
Let's not pretend that I'll let you in
No, not ever again
No, not again
All your friendships have met their ends
I'm never crawling back again

No, not again
This is the end

Out of sight, and out of mind; the only way that I can get by
No more crawling back to you this time
No, not this time
I need somewhere to run and hide
I need something to pass the time to get you off my mind
No response to your calls next time

Drop this subject

All your friends have gone away
Nothing good ever stays the same
You're fake as fuck
Stop pretending

Stop pretending that your friendships aren't ending

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of For the Fallen Dreams’ song “Pretending” convey a sense of betrayal and loss. The opening line “Fool me once, you’ll never fool me again” shows that the singer has been hurt before and is no longer willing to trust the person in question. The following line “I’ll never give you my hand” suggests that the singer no longer wants to be friends or get close to this person. They declare that “you’re not even a friend” and that they should “not pretend that I’ll let you in”. This shows a sense of finality and the decision to completely move on from this toxic relationship.

The lines “All your friendships have met their ends” and “I’m never crawling back again” show that this is not just one bad experience but a pattern of behavior on the other person’s part. The singer is done with this cycle of betrayal and friendship breakdown. They need to move on and “out of sight, out of mind” is the only way to do that. They declare that they are “never crawling back to you this time”, emphasizing that this is a final decision. The lines “I need something to pass the time to get you off my mind” and “no response to your calls next time” further show how the singer needs to move on and break this cycle for good.

Overall, the theme of this song is about betrayal and loss of trust. It highlights how toxic relationships can be and how it’s important to put yourself first and move on when necessary.

Line by Line Meaning

Fool me once, you'll never fool me again
I won't be deceived by you again

I'll never give you my hand
I won't befriend or trust you

You're not even a friend
You don't have a true friendship with me

Let's not pretend that I'll let you in
I won't allow you back into my life

No, not ever again
I won't forgive or forget what you've done

All your friendships have met their ends
Your relationships with others are short-lived

I'm never crawling back again
I won't beg for your attention or affection

No, not again
I won't repeat the same mistakes

This is the end
Our relationship is over

Out of sight, and out of mind; the only way that I can get by
I can only move on from you by avoiding you entirely

No more crawling back to you this time
I won't attempt to reconnect with you again