The Great Pretender

The song 'The Great Pretender' by The Platters, a popular doo-wop group from the 1950s, is a poignant portrayal of emotional disguise and unrequited love. The lyrics speak of a person who puts on a facade, pretending to be fine and happy in the aftermath of a lost love. The narrator admits to pretending 'too much' and being 'lonely but no one can tell,' highlighting the depth of their inner turmoil and the effort it takes to maintain this deception in front of others.

The use of the term 'great pretender' suggests a mastery of feigning happiness, to the point where the pretense becomes a world of its own. The narrator is 'adrift' in this make-believe reality, unable to reconcile the act with the pain that lies beneath the surface. The repeated lines 'Too real is this feeling of make believe / Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal' underscore the conflict between the outward show and the inescapable truth of heartache that the narrator cannot hide from themselves.

The metaphor of 'wearing my heart like a crown' while pretending that a lost love is still present adds a layer of irony to the song. It suggests that the narrator's feelings are not just hidden but are paradoxically on display in a grandiose yet tragic manner. The song resonates with anyone who has ever had to put on a brave face during difficult times, making 'The Great Pretender' a timeless classic that speaks to the universal experience of coping with emotional pain.