Can We Pretend
Withers (Bill) Lyrics

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Can We Pretend
Can we pretend
That from now on
There is no yesterday
Paint a portrait of tomorrow
With no colors from today

[Chorus]

There's a light that shine in your face sometimes
That takes my feeling wraps them around your need
But there's shadow hiding in your heart sometimes
That makes my feelings turn back in on me

Can we pretend
The pain is gone
And go our merry way
Paint a portrait of tomorrow
With the colors bright and gay

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

In “Can We Pretend,” Withers sings about the desire to forget past pain and move forward with positivity. He asks if it’s possible to pretend that “there is no yesterday” and paint a brighter picture of tomorrow. The lyrics suggest a hopeful yet somewhat unrealistic approach to healing and moving on.

The chorus describes conflicting emotions that arise in a relationship. Withers sings about the “light” he sees in his partner’s face that connects them, but also acknowledges the “shadow” in their heart that creates a divide. The lyrics express the difficulty of navigating complex emotions and contradicting feelings in a relationship.

Overall, “Can We Pretend” is a heartfelt plea to leave behind the pain of the past and move towards a brighter future. However, the lyrics also acknowledge the complexity of emotions and the difficulties of navigating relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Can we pretend
Is it possible for us to imagine a different reality

That from now on
Starting from this moment

There is no yesterday
Let's not dwell in the past

Paint a portrait of tomorrow
Imagine a bright future

With no colors from today
Without bringing present problems into the future

There's a light that shine in your face sometimes
I see hope and happiness in you at times

That takes my feeling wraps them around your need
Your positive attitude affects my emotions

But there's shadow hiding in your heart sometimes
However, I sense darkness and sorrow within you sometimes

That makes my feelings turn back in on me
It impacts me negatively and overwhelms me with emotions

Can we pretend
Is it possible for us to imagine a different reality

The pain is gone
Let's forget our past hurts