The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I believed in once upon a times
Happy ever after fairy tales
I believed a love I thought was mine
Never thought this heart could be so frail
All the shades you are have been shown
When somebody sees them, you will be alone
Will anybody know who I am
When I fall in love?
Will he be my best friend
Does anybody really know who you are
Or do they sometimes pretend they do?
Does love pretend too?
Silver futures that I'm searching for
Is love lucky or is it blind?
Round and round the seasons pass you by
The same thing happens time and time again, I'm asking why
Will anybody know who I am
When I fall in love?
Will he be my best friend?
Does anybody really know who you are
Or do they sometimes pretend they do?
Does love pretend too?
The tears have helped release the fears inside
They tell me I will find a love
And now I'm in a place where all the shades you are have been shown
And still here I am all alone
Does anybody really know who you are
Or do they sometimes pretend they do?
Does love pretend too?
Happy ever after fairy tales
I believed a love I thought was mine
Never thought this heart could be so frail
All the shades you are have been shown
When somebody sees them, you will be alone
Will anybody know who I am
When I fall in love?
Will he be my best friend
Does anybody really know who you are
Or do they sometimes pretend they do?
Does love pretend too?
Silver futures that I'm searching for
Is love lucky or is it blind?
Round and round the seasons pass you by
The same thing happens time and time again, I'm asking why
Will anybody know who I am
When I fall in love?
Will he be my best friend?
Does anybody really know who you are
Or do they sometimes pretend they do?
Does love pretend too?
The tears have helped release the fears inside
They tell me I will find a love
And now I'm in a place where all the shades you are have been shown
And still here I am all alone
Does anybody really know who you are
Or do they sometimes pretend they do?
Does love pretend too?
Lyrics submitted by Simplistic
Pretend Lyrics as written by Steve Dudas Angela Victoria Ammons
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is really personal in a way. I don't know if anyone really knows who I am and I question if they just pretend they do. It's a song about identity and if anyone knows who you really are. I heard Angela wrote this her sophomore high school year. I'm sure it can relate to many people of the same age including myself.