The Great Pretender (Extended Version)
Elton John · Other Songs - Elton John
Pretender, pretender, pretender, pretender (ooooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
Pretender, pretender, pretender, pretender (ooooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
Pretender, pretender, pretender, pretender
Pretender, pretender, pretender (ooooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender, pretender, pretender, pretender
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, oh yes (ooooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
Oh yes, pretender, pretender , pretender (ooooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
Pretender, pretender, pretender, pretender
Pretender, pretender, pretender (ooooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh)
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Pretending I'm doing well (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
My need is such
I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no-one can tell
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Adrift in a world of my own (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I play the game
But to my real shame
You've left me to dream all alone
Too real is this feeling of make believe (oooooh, make believe)
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal (oooh, ooh, oooh, ooh, oooh)
Oh, oh yes, I'm the great pretender (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
Just laughing and gay like a clown (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see (oooh, oooh, oh, you see)
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around
Yeah (ooooh-oh-ooh-oh-oooh)
Woo-hoo
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal (real, feel, what my heart)
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're
Still around
Around
Oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh
Oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh
Real, feel, what my heart
Yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown (oooh-ooh-oooh-ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're
Pretending that you're still around
The Great Pretender (Extended Version)
Elton John's rendition of 'The Great Pretender' stands as a testament to his ability to reinterpret classic material with distinct emotional weight. Originally a hit for The Platters, the song has become a staple in John's live performances, where the extended version allows for a more expansive exploration of the track's melancholic themes. This recording showcases his signature piano-driven style, blending rock and pop sensibilities to honor the original while asserting his own artistic identity. Throughout his extensive discography, John has frequently revisited covers and standards, integrating them into a body of work that spans decades of popular music. This particular arrangement highlights his vocal maturity and the dramatic flair that has defined his career, offering listeners a fresh perspective on a timeless piece of songwriting.