Pretend You Don't See Her (Goodfellas)

Jerry Vale's song 'Pretend You Don't See Her (Goodfellas)' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The lyrics convey a sense of deep inner conflict, as the narrator instructs his heart to ignore the presence of a woman he loves but cannot have. This internal struggle is evident in lines like 'Pretend you don't love her' and 'Pretend you don't need her,' which highlight the painful necessity of masking true feelings to maintain composure.

The repeated advice to 'look somewhere above her' and 'smile and pretend to be gay' underscores the societal pressure to appear unaffected and happy, even when experiencing profound sadness. The use of the word 'gay' in its older sense of 'happy' or 'carefree' adds a layer of irony, as the narrator is anything but. This facade of indifference is a common theme in love songs, but Vale's delivery imbues it with a unique sense of resignation and melancholy.

Culturally, the song resonates with the classic themes of 1950s and 1960s crooner music, where emotional restraint and stoicism were often celebrated. Jerry Vale, known for his smooth voice and romantic ballads, captures the essence of this era, making 'Pretend You Don't See Her' a timeless piece. The song's inclusion in the film 'Goodfellas' further cements its place in popular culture, adding a layer of nostalgia and emotional depth to the movie's narrative. Vale's performance serves as a reminder of the universal experience of heartache and the lengths to which people will go to hide their true feelings.