The Great Pretender
The Hi-Marks Lyrics
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Pretending that I'm doing well
My need is such I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no one can tell
Oh oh, yes I'm the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I've played the game but to my real shame
Too real is this feeling of make believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal
Yes I'm the great pretender
Just laughin' and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not, you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around
Too real is this feeling of make believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal
Yes I'm the great pretender
Just laughin' and gay like the clown
I seem to be what I'm not, you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around
(Still around)
The Hi-Marks's song The Great Pretender is a poignant story of a heartbroken person who is struggling to come to terms with a failed relationship. The song is sung from the perspective of the person who is pretending to be doing well, whereas, in reality, they are lonely and grieving. The lyrics talk about the person's need to pretend too much as their need for affection and love is so great. They feel as if they are adrift in a world of their own, playing a game which they have lost, and left to grieve all alone.
The song's lyrics convey an important theme of the human tendency to create illusions and pretend to be something we are not. The great pretender in the song is wearing his heart like a crown, and the pain caused by his failed relationship turns into a show of laughter and gayness. The song highlights the danger of living a life of pretense; the person's true feelings become suppressed, and their heartache turns into something artificial, like the persona of a clown.
Overall, The Hi-Marks's song The Great Pretender is a powerful and emotional song about the consequences of living life as a great pretender, covering up one's emotions and true feelings. It reminds us to be honest with ourselves and to embrace our humanity's realness.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh, yes I'm the great pretender
I'm admitting that I'm a great actor in pretending to be someone I'm not
Pretending that I'm doing well
I'm pretending to be in a good place, but the truth is far from it
My need is such I pretend too much
I pretend a lot to fulfill the need of appearing a certain way
I'm lonely but no one can tell
Despite my act, I'm still lonely, but no one notices
Adrift in a world of my own
I'm lost and drifting in a world created by my own imagination
I've played the game but to my real shame
I've tried to play along, but deep down, I feel ashamed of myself
You've left me to grieve all alone
You've left me to suffer the consequences of my pretense all by myself
Too real is this feeling of make believe
Despite trying to keep up with the act, the feelings of loneliness and pain are too real to ignore
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal
Despite pretending, my heart can't hold back the true feelings, and they are too strong to ignore
Just laughing and gay like a clown
I'm pretending to be happy, but the real emotions inside contradict it
I seem to be what I'm not, you see
I'm pretending to be someone I'm not, but it's evident to others
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
I'm displaying my emotions openly, but it's still part of my act
Pretending that you're still around
I'm pretending that someone I care about is still with me, but they're not, and it's painful
(Still around)
The person I care about is still on my mind, even though they're not here physically
Writer(s): RAM BUCK, RAM BUCK
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.