About The Song
The Platters achieved historic success as the first African-American pop supergroup in the early 1950s. The original lineup, consisting of David Lynch, Zola Taylor, Herb Reed, and Paul Robi, was formed in 1952, and Tony Williams joined as the lead vocalist in 1953.
Despite initial chart failures, producer and songwriter Buck Ram took charge as the group’s manager, instigating changes and securing a record deal with Mercury Records. This marked the turning point, propelling The Platters to become the most prosperous vocal group of their era.
Buck Ram’s compositions, “Only You” and “The Great Pretender,” emerged as the group’s initial chart-toppers. Released at the close of 1955, “The Great Pretender” soared to No. 1, showcasing the group’s ascendancy.
“The Great Pretender” is a poignant composition, characterized by Tony Williams’s distinctive opening line and captivating high-register harmonies. The lyrics narrate the story of a man coping with heartbreak by masking his pain with a facade of joy. Buck Ram swiftly penned this song as a follow-up to their earlier hit, “Only You,” while at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.
In 1987, Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, revitalized “The Great Pretender” with his rendition. Although it didn’t gain significant traction in America, it reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. In a poignant interview, Mercury hinted that the song resonated with his career and stage persona, likely influenced by his undisclosed HIV diagnosis shortly after filming the music video.
Over the years, numerous artists have covered “The Great Pretender,” yet The Platters’ rendition remains unparalleled. Witness one of their remarkable performances in the video below.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Oh-oh, yes I’m the great pretender
Pretending that I’m doing well
My need is such I pretend too much
I’m lonely but no one can tellOh-oh, yes I’m the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I’ve played the game but to my real shame
You’ve left me to grieve all aloneToo real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can’t concealYes, I’m the great pretender
Just laughin’ 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 aroundToo real is this feeling of make-believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can’t concealYes, I’m the great pretender
Just laughin’ 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