We Pretend

Demis Roussos' song "We Pretend" delves into the poignant theme of love lost and the human tendency to cling to the past. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of two individuals who are struggling to come to terms with the end of their relationship. They pretend that the end hasn't found them, holding on to memories and remnants of their shared past. This act of pretending is a defense mechanism, a way to avoid facing the painful reality that their love has faded. The line "Line by line, every rhyme has been written" suggests that their story has reached its conclusion, yet they remain unaware or unwilling to accept it.

The song also explores the idea of unspoken emotions and unresolved feelings. The phrase "gentle sighs went unspoken" indicates that there were things left unsaid between the two, contributing to the sense of unfinished business. Despite their efforts to save their dreams and hold on to what they once had, they find themselves as "silent strangers," unsure of which direction to take. This imagery of being lost and directionless underscores the emotional turmoil they are experiencing.

Roussos uses natural metaphors to illustrate the inevitability of change and the passage of time. The reference to willows bending in the wind and leaves withering away symbolizes the natural course of life and relationships. The acknowledgment that they can't "run to the sun like we used to" signifies that their youthful optimism and the intensity of their past love can no longer be recaptured. Ultimately, the song is a melancholic reflection on the end of a relationship and the difficulty of moving on, even when it is clear that the past cannot be revived.