Pretending

Alec Benjamin's song 'Pretending' delves into the emotional turmoil of a relationship on the brink of collapse. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two individuals caught in a masquerade, hiding their true feelings and the pain of their failing relationship behind a facade. The woman in the song uses 'a little paint' to cover up her heart, symbolizing the way people often mask their true emotions in an attempt to maintain appearances or avoid confronting the reality of a situation. The man, on the other hand, turns to alcohol, 'pulling out a flask,' to numb his feelings and escape the truth.

The chorus of 'Pretending' captures the essence of denial and the struggle to accept the end of a relationship. The repeated line 'But she'd be fine pretending, things were alright' suggests a deep reluctance to face the truth and let go. The words 'All their love is pending' imply that their connection is unresolved and hanging in the balance, with the outcome uncertain. The rhetorical question 'So what is she defending?' prompts listeners to consider why people stay in relationships that are clearly falling apart, and what they might be trying to protect or avoid by doing so.

The song also touches on the perspective of an observer who sees the pain and knows the relationship isn't right, yet feels powerless to help. This observer wishes to offer words of encouragement for the woman to find the courage to move on, acknowledging that there is 'just no way to bring this back to life.' The narrative of 'Pretending' is a poignant exploration of the human tendency to cling to the familiar, even when it's detrimental, and the difficult journey towards accepting the end of something once cherished.