How many times must we tell the tale?
How many times must we fall?
Living in lost memory you just recalled

Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right
Two go out work
Three stay home at night

That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
That's when I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand

Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending

Satisfied, but lost in love
Situations change
You're never who you used to think you are
How strange

That's when she said she was pretending
Like she knew the plan
That's when I knew she was pretending
Pretending to understand

Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending (pretending, pretending)

I get lost in alibis
Sadness can't prevail
Everybody knows how love can't fail

Don't be pretending
'Bout how you feel
Don't be pretending
The love is real
Don't be pretending
'Bout how you feel
Don't be pretending
To love is real

Pretending
Pretending
Pretending
Pretending (pretending, pretending)


Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery

Pretending Lyrics as written by Jerry Lynn Williams

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Pretending song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I loved this song and have misunderstood the lyrics for more than 15 years. That's why I like this site. The message I get is that 'two go out working, three stay home' is that there is somebody else sleeping in his bed! His woman has been 'pretending' about how she feels. Just finished his autobio 'Clapton' and he has really had a tumultuous and confused relationship with sex and women starting from being raised by his grandmother and believing his mother was his sister until he was 11. That'll f you up good! Lots of illegitimate kids and absent parenting on his part, women come and go (3 Italian models, just to name a few). He cheats, it is part of the road life and he feels entitled to it. He pines for years for George Harrison's wife, finally gets and marries her, then realizes she is repulsed by him sexually after all the pain he put her through. His first live-in love was a 16 year-old, who became an addict and alcoholic along with him and spent 20 years holding in her despsing resentment.

    The song is written by a Texas bluesman, Jerry Lynn Williams, if you love 'Pretending' you might want to Google him as he has lots of songs you will know and love recorded by others.

    JayCeezyon December 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hard to believe no one's commented this awesome song. I'm having trouble understanding, but the song seems to tell a story about a girl (in a band, according to the second stanza) who keeps telling herself that her life's all under control, but knows that she's not who she pretends to be and is lost inside. Might also have something to do with a relationship that, although it seems like real love, is just shallow.

    Stone Freeon January 16, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i gathered from this song is that he was with a girl who was just all the things he wanted her to be but it was just more "bad love"

    nathancoxon January 30, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    One of the best Clapton songs in my opinion! Great beginning..awesome guitar..even the bass is great..I friggin love Clapton!

    CynthiaJulianon December 12, 2008   Link

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