The Great Pretender
The Platters
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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've 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 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)
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11 facts about this song
Year and Label"The Great Pretender" was recorded and released by The Platters in 1955 under the Mercury Records label.
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SongwriterThis popular song was written by the distinguished songwriter and producer, Buck Ram.
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Peak PerformanceThe song achieved great success by peaking at number one on the R&B and Pop charts.
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Significance"The Great Pretender" solidified The Platters' status as one of the top vocal groups of the 1950s and played a significant role in defining the doo-wop genre.
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Cover VersionsMany artists have covered "The Great Pretender," including Dolly Parton, Queen, and Sam Cooke, making it a cross-genre standard.
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International AcclaimNot only did the song establish The Platters as a significant force in the USA, but "The Great Pretender" also reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.
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Cinematic Appearance"The Great Pretender" was featured in the opening credits of Martin Scorsese's film "The King of Comedy" (1982), enhancing the song's fame even further.
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Rolling Stone MagazineThis iconic song was ranked number 360 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time" in 2004.
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Appearance in LiteratureStephen King named a novel "The Great Pretender" as a tribute to The Platters' song and its enduring popularity.
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Grammy Hall of Fame"The Great Pretender" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, underscoring its historical significance and lasting impact on popular music.
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ThemePenned during a period of significant racial tensions in the United States, "The Great Pretender" arguably explores themes of disguise, deceit, and hiding one's true self — resonating social themes for many listeners.
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Citation
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"The Great Pretender Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/19078788/The+Platters/The+Great+Pretender>.
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