(instrumental opening)

I am the Great Pretender
and I know just where I stand.
Of all of my emotions
I seem to be in command.
Pretending what I'm doing
is that I'm doing well.
But you know the game
you'll see through the shame.
My need is such
I pretend too much.
I'm lonely, and you can tell.
Oh, whoa.

I am the Great Pretender
and I've had to pay my price.
A woman I went out with once
I now am missing twice.
Aw, but still she comes to haunt me.
in the shade of an old freeway.
So I'll rent a house
and I'll feel like a louse
and I'll miss her a bunch
as I pack my lunch
and go to work each day.
Oh, whoa.

I am the Great Pretender
adrift in my own world.
Imagining the palaces
where I would dance with girls.
I can't remember faces
but I still play the game.
Aw, but with her scheme
I'm alone to dream.
And after a while
with my phony smile
it's to my real shame.

I am the Great Pretender
aware of time gone by.
My friends have tried to tell me
it's just wink of an eye.
Aw, this feeling, make-believing
but it now feels too real.
And the sirens sing
and the church bells ring
and I run through the night
with all of my might
from something my heart can't conceal!

I am the Great Pretender.
I come to do my show.
I've got a flabby body
and a face made for radio.
Aw, it took me years to get where
I'm laughing like a clown.
We had a beautiful song
but our love went wrong
so I seem to be
what I'm not you see
and I pretend she's still around!

I am the Great Pretender.
The actor of my age.
I act like I get honeys
upon my made-up stage.
I'm going try to find me
a girl who knows what laughter means.
But if you are there
say for us a prayer
so that through the din
we'll fill the colors in
for our paint-by-number dreams!

I am the Great Pretender!
And I know just where I stand!
Of all of my emotions
I seem to be in command!
Pretending what I'm doing
is that I'm doing well!
But you know the game!
You'll see through the shame!
My need is such
I pretend too much!
I'm lonely, and you can tell!

(instrumental close)