Pretender
Run River North Lyrics
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When everything you say is so hard to believe?
I know you mean well, man you can't sell the shit out of yourself to everyone else
I know you hear me, I hear you too
You're making everything all about you
Realise, realise, real lies, and I caught you cheating on truth
Your foolish tricks, they aren't fooling anyone
Mr Pretender, don't you know who I am?
I am your best friend but I ain't your biggest fan
What do you mean with everything that's been said?
Everything said, it's broken and bent in different
Wait just a minute, I can't believe it
You're repairing yourself in front of everyone else
Mr Pretender, come and see what you've done
Your foolish tricks, they aren't fooling anyone
Mr pretender, don't you know who I am?
I am your best friend, I am your best friend, I am your best friend
And I know you're trying, but the truth is flying out the door
And it hurts my heart when I see how much of me that you, that you are
Mr Pretender, come and see what you've done
Your foolish tricks, they aren't fooling anyone
Mr pretender, don't you know who I am?
I am your best friend, but I ain't your biggest fan
No no no, yeah yeah yeah, no no no
I ain't your biggest fan
No no no, yeah yeah yeah, no no no
The lyrics of Run River North's song "Pretender" tackle the issue of pretense or being inauthentic, particularly in the context of human relationships. The song starts by questioning how someone can keep up with a façade that they have created for themselves when everything that comes out of their mouth is hard to believe. Despite this, the singer recognizes that this person has good intentions, but they are unable to resist "selling the shit out of themselves" to others. The song stresses the importance of realizing the difference between what is real and what is a lie.
The chorus of the song directly addresses the "Mr Pretender" and invites them to see for themselves how their illusions and tricks fail to fool anyone. The singer, who claims to be the "Mr Pretender's" best friend, becomes the voice of reason trying to help the person realize the damage that their behavior is causing. The line "I know you're trying, but the truth is flying out the door" highlights that the person is struggling with the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you say to everyone that you meet
How do you communicate with others when your words lack sincerity?
When everything you say is so hard to believe?
Why do you struggle to convince others of your honesty?
I know you mean well, man you can't sell the shit out of yourself to everyone else
I understand your intentions, but your attempts to impress others with your false image are not fooling anyone.
I know you hear me, I hear you too
I am aware that we are communicating with each other.
You're making everything all about you
You are self-centered and making everything revolve around yourself.
Realise, realise, real lies, and I caught you cheating on truth
Recognize the truth that your deception has been revealed.
Mr Pretender, come and see what you've done
You have been exposed as a fraud.
Your foolish tricks, they aren't fooling anyone
Your attempts to deceive others are not successful.
Mr Pretender, don't you know who I am?
I am someone you should have been honest with.
I am your best friend but I ain't your biggest fan
I care about you, but your behavior is disappointing and untrue.
What do you mean with everything that's been said?
What is the true meaning behind all of the words you've spoken?
Everything said, it's broken and bent in different
Your words have become distorted and unreliable.
Wait just a minute, I can't believe it
I need a moment to process and come to terms with the situation.
You're repairing yourself in front of everyone else
You are attempting to fix your false image in public.
And I know you're trying, but the truth is flying out the door
I recognize that you are attempting to be honest, but the truth is still being revealed.
And it hurts my heart when I see how much of me that you, that you are
It is painful to see how much my trust has been misplaced in you.
No no no, yeah yeah yeah, no no no
A repetition of emotional responses to the situation.
I ain't your biggest fan
My disappointment with your behavior has caused me to lose respect for you.
Writer(s): Daniel Chae, Jennifer Rim, Joseph Chun, Sally Kang, John Chong, Alex Hwang
Contributed by Isabelle H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ahmadsabri6820
"Pretender"
What do you say to everyone that you meet?
When everything you say is so hard to believe
I know you mean well, man you can sell the shit out of yourself to everyone else
I know you hear me, I hear you too
You're making everything all about you
Real eyes realize real lies
And I caught you cheating on truth
Mr. Pretender, come and see what you've done
Your foolish tricks, they ain't fooling anyone
Mr. Pretender, don't you know who I am?
I am your best friend, but I ain't your biggest fan
What do you mean with everything that's been said?
When everything said is broken and bent in different
Wait just a minute, I can't believe it
You're repairing yourself in front of everyone else
Mr. Pretender, come and see what you've done
Your foolish tricks, they ain't fooling anyone
Mr. Pretender, don't you know who I am?
I am your best friend
I am your best friend
I am your best friend
And I know you're trying, but the truth is flying out the door
And it hurts my heart when I see how much of me that you, that you are
Mr. Pretender, come and see what you've done
Your foolish tricks, they ain't fooling anyone
Mr. Pretender, don't you know who I am?
I am your best friend, but I ain't your biggest fan
No no no
Yeah yeah yeah
No no no
I ain't your biggest fan
No no no
Yeah yeah yeah
No no no
No
@JM-gg2qz
Knowing RRN's faith aspect of their first album, the way I interpret this song is that God is speaking to humanity or more specifically Christians who think they have it all together. The three characters in the video, in my mind, represent vanity, addiction/anger, and (maybe) childishness - those not willing to learn from their mistakes.
The song talks about how one sided the relationship is.
("I know you hear me, I hear you too. You're making everything all about you.")
But despite this relationship where we expect God to fix our problems, we still try to fix ourselves - sometimes for other people's pity/approval.
(Just a minute, I can't believe it. You're repairing yourself in front of everyone else.)
So the narrator (God) is asking "Mr. Pretender" to look at himself in the mirror and ask how he expects to get away with it. This explains the mood of the video and why all three characters are dragged into some sort of darkness at the end.
("Mr. Pretender, come and see what you've done. Your foolish tricks, they ain't foolin' anyone.")
As if "God" doesn't already know that "Mr. Pretender" is faking it.
("Mr. Pretender, don't you know who I am?")
And I love the gut punch at the end of chorus.
("I am your best friend, but I ain't your biggest fan.")
Meaning "I love you, but I don't like what you're doing."
I saw RRN for the first time a couple months ago, and this was by far my favorite song from the set. So glad it's out now.
@Nicoffs
I knew this song from the movie "The Lie" (2018)
All lyrics are art to me, really good song!
@runrivernorth
Oh yes
@marcoshenrique6853
I knew too 😊
@jere80337
I heard this gem in Spotify and is actually one of my favorites, idk why you guys aren't famous yet, but that detail makes it better ;)
@FJordn0TM
It's true RRN with some Cage the Elephant thrown in, I like it
@kevinheaven711
RUN RIVER NORTH!!! Woahhh
Love this song!!!
@PhotoLighthouse
This was the opening track last night at the Gramercy Theatre - great show by one of the best bands I've ever seen!
@sram5949
Every single release from the upcoming album just gets me more and more hyped. Seven, Pretender, and Superstition are all amazing songs!
@KrunkCobain
Just saw them play this live, they all gave a hell of performance!
@shiwalogo2
Dang... so dark! Loving it.