Don't You Pretend
Kelly Clarkson Lyrics


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Don't you pretend that you don't need a little more from me
You're actin' like it's nothin'
We both know it's somethin'
Even in the dark everyone can see

So don't you pretend that you're not wishin' I was next to you
Hot and cold as ever, want me but you never
Let your guard down and I need some proof

You make me want, you
But you don't know where this ends
Baby I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, ooh yeah

Try to deny and be cool as you walk away from me
Steady as you go, but tremblin' in your voice
Shows there's a part of you slowly dyin'
I'm not gonna wait and just play victim to your vanities
I don't have the time babe, tell me that you're mine babe
Why you keepin' your feelings from em

You make me want, you
But you don't know where this ends
Baby I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend, ooh yeah

Don't you run and hide
Let's find out tonight
I got a feelin' that you wanna fall
Tell me yes or no
I can't take no more
I want the real thing or nothin' at all

I just wanna see (I just wanna see)
Who you tryin' to be!

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Oh yeah, no no

Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend (I said don't you pretend oh)




(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, oh

Overall Meaning

In "Don't You Pretend" by Kelly Clarkson, the lyrics explore the frustration and confusion in a relationship where one person is putting up a front and hiding their true feelings. The singer pleads with their partner to stop pretending that they don't need more from the relationship, to stop acting like their connection is insignificant when both of them know it's something special. The line "Even in the dark everyone can see" suggests that their feelings are obvious to outsiders, despite the attempts at hiding them.


The verses continue to express the singer's desire for honesty and transparency. The partner is described as being hot and cold, wanting the singer but never fully letting their guard down. The singer wants to love them but is unable to handle the uncertainty and suspense of their actions. They express their frustration by repeating the plea to no longer pretend and to show their true selves.


The chorus highlights the desire for clarity and authenticity. The singer wants to know who their partner truly is, not the person they're trying to be. They're tired of the games and the wall that the partner is putting up. They want to understand the partner's feelings and intentions and are ready to move forward and find out if there is something real between them.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't you pretend that you don't need a little more from me
Stop acting like you don't want or require more from our relationship


You're actin' like it's nothin'
You're pretending like our connection is insignificant


We both know it's somethin'
We both understand that there is significance and value in our relationship


Even in the dark everyone can see
Even when there are obstacles or uncertainties, it's obvious to others that we have a connection


So don't you pretend that you're not wishin' I was next to you
Don't act like you don't desire my presence by your side


Hot and cold as ever, want me but you never
You continue to send mixed signals, expressing desire but never fully committing


Let your guard down and I need some proof
Lower your defenses and show me concrete evidence of your feelings


You make me want, you
You ignite a strong desire within me


But you don't know where this ends
However, you are uncertain about the future of our relationship


Baby I wanna love you
I truly want to experience love with you


But I can't take the suspense
But I can't handle the uncertainty and anticipation any longer


Try to deny and be cool as you walk away from me
You attempt to deny your feelings and act nonchalant as you distance yourself from me


Steady as you go, but tremblin' in your voice
Although you try to remain composed, your voice betrays your inner turmoil


Shows there's a part of you slowly dyin'
Revealing that a part of you is gradually losing vitality


I'm not gonna wait and just play victim to your vanities
I won't waste my time waiting and allowing myself to be a victim of your self-centeredness


I don't have the time babe, tell me that you're mine babe
I don't have the patience for uncertainty, so declare your commitment to me


Why you keepin' your feelings from em
Why are you withholding your true emotions from me?


Don't you run and hide
Don't escape and conceal yourself


Let's find out tonight
Let's discover the truth about our relationship tonight


I got a feelin' that you wanna fall
I sense that you desire to embrace a deeper emotional connection


Tell me yes or no
Tell me definitively if you're committed or not


I can't take no more
I can't handle the uncertainty and lack of clarity any longer


I want the real thing or nothin' at all
I desire an authentic and genuine relationship, or else I don't want anything


I just wanna see (I just wanna see)
I simply want to witness and understand


Who you tryin' to be!
The true identity or persona you are attempting to embody


Oh yeah, no no
An expression of resignation or disappointment




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JESSE SHATKIN, KELLY CLARKSON, MAUREEN MCDONALD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Jessica Rose

❤️LYRICS❤️
Don't you pretend that you don't need a little more from me
You're actin' like it's nothin'
We both know it's somethin'
Even in the dark everyone can see

So don't you pretend that you're not wishin' I was next to you
Hot and cold as ever
Want me but you never let your guard down
And I need some proof

You make me want you but you don't know where this ends baby
I wanna love you, but I can't take the suspense

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me
Who you tryin' to be)

Try to deny and be cool as you walk away from me
Steady as you go, but tremblin' in your voice
Shows there's a part of you slowly dyin'
I'm not gonna wait and just play victim to you vanities
I don't have the time babe, tell me that you're mine babe
Why you keepin' your feelings from em

You make me want you but you don't know where this ends baby
I wanna love you, but I can't take the suspense

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me
Who you tryin' to be)

Don't you run and hide
Let's find out tonight
I got a feelin' that you wanna fall
Tell me yes or no
I can't take no more
I want the real thing or nothin' at all

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me
Who you tryin' to be)



willy nin sosa

LETRAS
Don't you pretend that you don't need a little more from me
You're actin' like it's nothin'
We both know it's somethin'
Even in the dark everyone can see
So don't you pretend that you're not wishin' I was next to you
Hot and cold as ever, want me but you never
Let your guard down and I need some proof
You make me want, you
But you don't know where this ends
Baby I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense
I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, ooh yeah
Try to deny and be cool as you walk away from me
Steady as you go, but tremblin' in your voice
Shows there's a part of you slowly dyin'
I'm not gonna wait and just play victim to your vanities
I don't have the time babe, tell me that you're mine babe
Why you keepin' your feelings from em
You make me want, you
But you don't know where this ends
Baby I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense
I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend, ooh yeah
Don't you run and hide
Let's find out tonight
I got a feelin' that you wanna fall
Tell me yes or no
I can't take no more
I want the real thing or nothin' at all
I just wanna see (I just wanna see)
Who you tryin' to be!
I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Oh yeah, no no
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend (I said don't you pretend oh)
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, oh



Jason Smalls

[Verse 1]
Don't you pretend that you don't need a little more from me
You're actin' like it's nothin'
We both know it's somethin'
Even in the dark, anyone can see
So don't you pretend that you're not wishin' I was next to you
Hot and cold as ever
Want me, but you never let your guard down
And I need some proof

[Pre-Chorus]
You make me want you
But you don't know where this ends
Baby, I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense

[Chorus]
I said, don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, oh yeah

[Verse 2]
Try to deny and be cool as you walk away from me
Steady as you go, but tremblin' in your voice shows
There's a part of you slowly dyin'
I'm not gonna wait and just play victim to your vanities
I don't have the time, babe, tell me that you're mine, babe
Why you keepin' your feelings from me?


[Pre-Chorus]
You make me want you
But you don't know where this ends
Baby, I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense

[Chorus]
I said, don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, oh yeah

[Bridge]
Don't you run and hide, let's find out tonight
I got a feelin' that you wanna fall
Tell me, yes or no, I can't take no more
I want the real thing or nothin' at all

[Break]
I just wanna see, who you tryin’ to be, yeah

[Chorus]
I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Oh, yeah, no, no


[Chorus/Outro]
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
(My love, my love)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
(My love, my love)
Don't you pretend, oh yeah
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend



Duc Luong Do

Don't you pretend that you don't need a little more from me
You're actin' like it's nothin'
We both know it's somethin'
Even in the dark everyone can see

So don't you pretend that you're not wishin' I was next to you
Hot and cold as ever, want me but you never 
Let your guard down and I need some proof

You make me want, you 
But you don't know where this ends
Baby I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, ooh yeah

Try to deny and be cool as you walk away from me
Steady as you go, but tremblin' in your voice
Shows there's a part of you slowly dyin'
I'm not gonna wait and just play victim to your vanities
I don't have the time babe, tell me that you're mine babe
Why you keepin' your feelings from em

You make me want, you 
But you don't know where this ends
Baby I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend, ooh yeah

Don't you run and hide
Let's find out tonight
I got a feelin' that you wanna fall
Tell me yes or no
I can't take no more
I want the real thing or nothin' at all

I just wanna see (I just wanna see) 
Who you tryin' to be!

I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) (don't you pretend)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Oh yeah, no no

Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be) 
Don't you pretend (I said don't you pretend oh)
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)



All comments from YouTube:

Rumbidzai Nyakutambwa

what's wrong with people ...They don't appreciate good music no more ...This album is so 🔥🔥
I wish I could make everyone listen to it

Pauline Duke

Kelly Clarkson: you have reached musical perfection with this album. Fantastic music with this one, woman!

Faith+Hope+Love

So many people slept on this album. Pure soul, love and so much passion from the American Idol herself ❤❤

rac2873

I love this old school R&B vibe from Kelly. I missed the Kelly from Idol and she is back kicking everyone ass.

Danny Ybarra

I can't wait for the live session of this song!! The entire album is my favorite! Great Job Kelly!

Julien

The best vocals of the entire album!

Beto Fenty

Silvio Néstor Gutiérrez best guy on the comments! 😅

Julien

Haha, why?

Beto Fenty

Silvio Néstor Gutiérrez cause you fine :#

Julien

Beto Fenty thanks ❤

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