Lyr Add: The Great Pretender

Subject: Lyr Add: The Great Pretender
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 07:32 AM

I sang this great song just off the top of my head at yesterday's afternoon session & it went down well with the listeners.

Here it is to share:

The Great Pretender [Buck Ram, 1955]

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Pretending I'm doing well
My need is such
I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no one can tell

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
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
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown

Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal

Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around


& here's the superb Platters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdM5yHkYkAU

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Great Pretender
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 08:54 PM

Thanks. Boy, that brings back the memories.

From Wikipedia:

"The follow-up (to the song 'Only You'), "The Great Pretender", with lyrics written in the washroom of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas by Buck Ram, exceeded the success of their debut and became the Platters' first national #1 hit. "The Great Pretender" was also the act's biggest R&B hit, with an 11-week run atop that chart. In 1956, The Platters appeared in the first major motion picture based around rock and roll, Rock Around the Clock, and performed both "Only You" and "The Great Pretender".

You can see the performance from the movie on YouTube.

This song is certainly worth bringing back.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Great Pretender
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 07:37 AM

L,

Thanks

I'll be including it in my performance tonight as well!


P.S. Why don't you become a member?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Great Pretender
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 09:33 AM

I could be a member if I logged in, and occasionally I do. For example, if a person wants to play a piece of music I have, I log in and send them the MIDI via PM.

However, I usually keep my distance because when I was a member, a person sent me demanding, vaguely nutty PM's, and it made me uncomfortable.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Great Pretender
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 09:38 AM

Seem to remember a wonderful piss-take of this by Stan Freeberg - could be wrong!
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Great Pretender
From: GUEST,Rog Peek
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 10:44 AM

Stan Freberg

Rog