Most people have engaged in pretending at some point in their lives. It could be a means to get away from reality, investigate new personas, or just have fun. We all appreciate the freedom and creativity that come with pretending, whether it’s pretending to be a superhero, a musician, or a well-known actress. Following this theme, this article is all about the best songs about pretending.
Music is one medium that has been used to communicate pretending in popular culture. Many musicians have explored the themes of imagination, fantasy, and make-believe in their songs about pretending by using their creative talents. These songs, which range from the silly to the serious, encapsulate the heart of what it means to pretend and encourage us to participate in the enjoyment.
We’ll look at some of the best songs about faking in this article. We will examine the lyrics, concepts, and musical genres that distinguish these songs in more detail. You’re likely to find something that speaks to you whether you enjoy pop, rock, hip-hop, or any other genre.
As we look at how these songs reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the eras in which they were written, we’ll also look at the cultural and historical environment in which they were composed. We will examine the diversity and richness of the music that celebrates the fun of pretending, ranging from vintage hits to modern chart-toppers.
So relax, put on your headphones, and get ready to learn about the best pretending-related music that will take you somewhere else.
15 Best Songs About Pretending – Here are our recommendations!
15: How I Look On You – Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande talks about the difficulty of pretending to be someone she’s not in her song “How I Look On You.” The song’s lyrics imply that Grande is having a hard time maintaining her act and that she longs for someone to see right through her mask.
The song may be intended to convey a warning about the perils of living a lie or the value of being honest with oneself. Delivered with both honesty and vulnerability, it is a strong message. This song demonstrates Grande’s profound awareness of the human condition, which is just one of the many factors contributing to her success as an artist.
14: Hands Off The Man – Laura Nyro
This song by Laura Nyro is about pretending. In order to impress people, a man pretends to be someone he’s not in the song’s lyrics. In the song the man is called slang for someone who isn’t actually a tough guy. He’s merely acting the part. Although the song criticises the man, it also expresses some pity for him.
The man is clearly unhappy with his situation, and by posing as someone else, he is attempting to run away from it. The song concludes with the man recognizing that he can’t maintain his façade forever and that he must confront his true self.
13: Gatekeeper – Cancer Bats
The Canadian rock group Cancer Bats has a song called “Gatekeeper.” Dead Set on Living, the group’s fourth studio album, featured the song as its lead single (2012). The song “Gatekeeper” is about playing it cool. The song’s lyrics speak of someone who lies about who they really are in order to obtain acceptance or fit in. According to certain interpretations, the song is about “putting up a front” and being untruthful.
It has additionally been interpreted as a statement on the music business and how individuals frequently need to appear to be someone they are not in order to succeed. Critics gave “Gatekeeper” positive reviews, praising its memorable hook and witty lyrics. The song was also a commercial triumph, topping the charts in both Canada and the US. “Gatekeeper” is one of Cancer Bats’ favourite songs to perform live, and it has grown to be a crowd favourite when they perform it.
12: Hallucination – Regard, Years & Years
Regard and Years & Years’ song Hallucination is about pretending to be happy in order to win over others. The song’s lyrics speak of someone who is putting on a brave exterior but internally suffering. The song’s gloomy and unpleasant atmosphere, which mirrors the narrator’s inner anguish, belies its joyful melody.
The song finally addresses the pressure we all experience to maintain a positive attitude even while we are having a hard time. It serves as a reminder that we are not alone in our troubles and that seeking assistance is perfectly acceptable. Regard’s song Hallucinations is significant because it raises awareness of the often silent battle with mental illness.
11: Fake Love – Drake
Being in love is a sensation that many people have had, and for many, it is raw and strong. Drake examines the complexity of this situation in his song “Fake Love.” He talks on the frustration and disappointment that might result from loving someone who doesn’t actually feel the same way about you. “This love isn’t real,” declares Drake.
However, despite the negative feelings he sings about in this song, there is still a spirit of tenacity and hope. He has been hurt repeatedly, yet he still has hope that he may find genuine love in the future. Drake’s “Fake Love” is a potent exploration of one of life’s most difficult emotions thanks to its special blend of melancholy, hope, and tenacity.
10: Friends – Raye
The risks of pretending to be in relationships are discussed in Raye’s song “Friends.” The lyrics paint a picture of a situation in which two individuals who aren’t actually friends hurt each other because they’re acting like they are.
The song serves as a caution against attempting to force a friendship and counsels listeners to be open and honest about their genuine sentiments with both themselves and others. The unique and catchy song “Friends” will let listeners reflect on what true friendship really means.
9: Fake Happy – Paramore
The band Paramore wrote a song called “Fake Happy” about feigning happiness. The singer describes how she grins and acts as though everything is fine even though she is actually aching within, in the song. She discusses how, while feeling like she is about to crumble, she puts on a brave face for the rest of the world. The song talks on how difficult and draining it may be to pretend to be someone you’re not.
The vocalist declares that she is determined to find her way out of the darkness, therefore it also carries a message of optimism. Anyone who has ever felt the need to pretend everything was fine while actually struggling would be able to relate to the song. It serves as a reminder that we are all engaged in our own struggles and that it is acceptable to ask for assistance.
8: Fair Trade – Drake
Rapper Drake’s song Fair Trade examines the idea of fake. Drake discusses all the numerous ways that people try to trick other people in the song’s lyrics, utilising anything from outward signs and material possessions to their own words and feelings.
Everyone engages in it, he claims, but no one ever truly feels satisfied at the conclusion of it, therefore it is ultimately a fruitless endeavour. Fair Trade presents a subtle case against deceiving others while evoking a picture of the numerous facades people put on through deft wordplay and striking imagery.
7: Fake Friends – PS1 Ft. Alex Hosking
“Fake Friends” by PS1 is a song that warns against pretending to be friends with someone. The song serves as a caution to others not to be overly trusting by telling the tale of someone who is betrayed by their “friend” in the lyrics.
The song has a straightforward melody, but its lyrics are what make it stand out. The lyrics are depressing and stern, serving as a warning that not all friends are sincere. Everyone may identify with the song “Fake Friends,” and its message will be with you long after the song has ended.
6: FAB – JoJo
FAB is a song about impersonation. The song’s lyrics discuss the different ways we may act as though we had emotions or experiences that we do not actually have. For instance, we may behave as though everything is fine even when it isn’t by flirting with others to make them think we have a crush on them.
This can be particularly risky when we put on a front for a love partner since they might start to rely on our phoney displays of emotion and base their hopes and expectations on them. FAB should therefore serve as a constant reminder to be genuine in our interactions and to avoid manipulating other people’s emotions.
5: Everybody’s Fool – Evanescence
Evanescence’s song “Everybody’s Fool” is about playing it cool. The concept that we can all be pretending to be someone or something we’re not is explored, despite appearances to the contrary.
The speaker talks about their attempts to maintain a façade in front of those around them in the raw, emotive lyrics, which communicate both vulnerability and strength. The song’s main message is that we should all live truthfully rather than just attempting to seem great in every circumstance.
4: Entertainer – Zayn
As a member of the boy band One Direction, Zayn first gained notoriety as a vocalist and composer. R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences have typified his solo career, and themes of love and grief are frequently explored in his songs. The song “Entertainer” is among his best-known.
This song is about putting on a fake face in order to deal with life’s challenges. Zayn sings about battling solitude and identity issues but yet maintaining appearances for other people’s sake. He understands that being an entertainer has its own special set of difficulties, but he eventually offers a message of optimism and willpower.
3: Don’t Need You – Bullet For My Valentine
From their fourth studio album, Temper Temper, English rock group Bullet for My Valentine has a song called “Don’t Need You.” (2013). The song, which was co-written by frontman Matthew Tuck and guitarist Michael “Padge” Paget, was made available as the third single from the album on October 8, 2012.
The topic of fabricating relationships is discussed in the song’s lyrics, “Don’t Need You.” The song is about “people who stay in relationships for all the wrong reasons,” according to Tuck. He continued, “there are a lot of people out there who are just in it for what they can get out of it, whether that be a financial gain or just to be seen with somebody”.
2: Doll Parts – Hole
Courtney Love, the lead singer for the band Hole, examines the concept of faking it in the song “Doll Parts”. The song’s lyrics imply that Love is trying to be someone she is not, probably to win over others. In her song, she talks of putting on a “happy face” and donning a “mask.”
Love obviously feels uncomfortable in her own skin. Her mental health is suffering as a result of her feeling as though she must put on a show for everyone. The song’s lyrics depict a woman who appears to be falling apart yet is desperately attempting to hold herself together.
1: Complicated – Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne, a Canadian singer-songwriter, released “Complicated” as the first single from her 2002 debut album Let Go. Cliff Magness was the song’s producer, and Lavigne wrote the lyrics.
With acoustic instruments, “Complicated” is a power pop and pop punk song. The lyrics of the song discuss adolescence, anguish and surviving life. Its main concept is about pretending to feel things in order to fit in.
Music critics gave “Complicated” largely favourable reviews, with many praising its catchiness. The song was a financial success, peaking in the top ten in a number of nations, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US.
One of the best-selling singles of 2002, “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne became her breakthrough success in the US and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. One of the best pop songs of all time, “Complicated” is still regarded to be Avril Lavigne’s hallmark tune.
15 Best Songs About Pretending – Final thoughts
In conclusion, there are many songs that address the subject of pretending throughout the world of music. These songs offer a window into the human imagination and the many possibilities of make-believe, ranging from the lighthearted to the reflective.
The best songs about pretending have been examined in this article, along with the lyrics, themes, and musical genres that set them apart. As we’ve seen, these songs relate to the general human experience of pretending and imagining as well as the cultural and historical context in which they were created.
Regardless of your preferred musical genre—pop, rock, hip-hop, etc.—you’re bound to find a song about pretending or faking that speaks to you. Perhaps the song brings back memories of your youth or motivates you to dream and create. Alternatively, it may push you to look at yourself in the mirror, if you feel you may be too fake.
Closing Remarks:
Songs about pretending serve as a reminder of the value of imagination and creativity in a society that can sometimes feel confined and restrictive. They encourage us to abandon our inhibitions and embrace the whimsical and fun.
So the next time you feel like you could need a little break from reality, look to music and let the best pretending-related songs take you somewhere else. You never know where your imagination will lead you.
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A music enthusiast who has taken his passion for music to the next level by starting his own blog. He spends most of his free time listening to new albums, attending concerts, and researching emerging artists.
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John’s love for music started at a young age when he discovered classic rock through his father’s vinyl collection. Since then, he has expanded his musical horizons to include everything from indie rock to hip hop and beyond.
As a blogger, John has found a way to share his love of music with others while also providing valuable insights into the industry.