About the song
“The Great Pretender” is an iconic song that epitomizes the lush, melodic style of the 1950s and remains a staple of classic pop music. Recorded by The Platters, with Tony Williams delivering a masterful lead vocal performance, this track was released as a single in November 1955. The song was penned by Buck Ram, the Platters’ manager and producer, who was also a celebrated songwriter before transitioning into production and management roles. His ability to craft memorable music is evident in this composition, which showcases his knack for blending heartfelt lyrics with captivating melodies.
Buck Ram’s creation of “The Great Pretender” was a swift and inspired endeavor. Allegedly written in just about 20 minutes while in the washroom of the Flamingo Hotel, Ram was driven by the need to produce a follow-up hit to the success of The Platters’ earlier hit, “Only You (And You Alone).” In a bold claim to music producer Bob Shad, Ram promised an even better song and quickly named it “The Great Pretender,” demonstrating his confidence in its potential before the song itself was even fully composed.
Upon its release, “The Great Pretender” achieved remarkable success, ascending to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 100 and securing the No. 5 spot on the UK charts. The song’s impact was so significant that it was recognized as the best-selling R&B song of January 1956 and was the 12th best-selling single of that year. The Platters’ performance of the song in the 1956 musical film *Rock Around the Clock* and its inclusion in *American Graffiti* further cemented its place in pop culture.
The enduring legacy of “The Great Pretender” is highlighted by its induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002 and its ranking as the 360th greatest song of all time in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004. Its influence is also reflected in notable covers by other artists, including Freddie Mercury, whose version of the song reached No. 4 on the UK charts. Additionally, Sam Cooke’s cover of the song is believed to have inspired Chrissie Hynde to name her band The Pretenders, showcasing the song’s far-reaching impact on the music industry.
Video
Lyrics
Oh-oh, yes, I’m the great pretender
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 played the game but to my real shame
You’ve left me to grieve all alone
Too real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can’t conceal
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
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
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
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
(Still around)