Roy Orbison’s interpretation of “The Great Pretender” is a remarkable and deeply emotional rendition of a classic pop song. Originally written and first recorded by Buck Ram and performed by The Platters in 1955, “The Great Pretender” became an instant hit and one of the defining songs of the era. Orbison’s version, released in 1964, reimagines the song through his unique voice and emotional depth, bringing a fresh perspective to a song already laden with meaning. His performance transforms “The Great Pretender” from a catchy pop tune into a heartfelt ballad, filled with complexity and vulnerability.
At its core, “The Great Pretender” is about a person who hides their emotional pain behind a mask of pretension, pretending to be fine while silently suffering. The lyrics describe a man who pretends to be confident and unaffected by a lost love, even though his heart is broken. The theme of emotional concealment and inner turmoil resonates with the universal experience of masking one’s true feelings for fear of vulnerability. The character of the “great pretender” is someone who hides behind a facade to protect themselves from the world, even though the charade is painful.
Orbison’s version of “The Great Pretender” captures the core of the song’s emotional complexity in a way that no other version can quite match. Known for his operatic voice and mastery of conveying deep emotion, Orbison brings a sense of vulnerability and melancholy to the song that elevates it from a pop tune into a deeply introspective exploration of heartache. His voice, with its rich baritone and soaring high notes, is both fragile and powerful, perfectly suited to the song’s theme of hiding one’s pain behind a mask of composure. Orbison’s delivery is tinged with a sense of sadness, but it also conveys the strength of someone who is unable to let go of their dignity, even as they endure inner suffering.
The orchestration in Orbison’s version is lush and dramatic, with sweeping strings that emphasize the emotional gravity of the song. Unlike the more upbeat, doo-wop influenced arrangement of The Platters’ original, Orbison’s rendition has a more orchestral, almost cinematic quality, which deepens the emotional weight of the lyrics. The arrangement allows Orbison’s voice to take center stage, letting each word hang in the air, full of meaning. This spacious, emotional setting complements the lyrics of the song, giving them a sense of grandeur and gravity.
Lyrically, the song’s chorus—“I’m the great pretender, pretending that I’m doing well”—is a powerful expression of the internal conflict faced by someone who is hiding their true feelings. Orbison’s delivery of this line, with its perfect balance of restraint and emotional release, adds a layer of depth to the character of the “pretender.” His performance suggests not just a person pretending to be okay, but someone who has built an entire identity around this illusion, even though it’s breaking them from within. There’s a sense of desperation in his voice, as though the pretender is on the brink of collapsing under the weight of their own deception.
In the broader context of Orbison’s career, “The Great Pretender” fits perfectly with his reputation as an artist who could translate raw emotion into song. Whether expressing the pain of unrequited love in “Only the Lonely” or the devastation of heartbreak in “Crying,” Orbison’s voice could convey both vulnerability and grandeur. “The Great Pretender” is no exception; it is a song that captures the duality of human experience—the desire to appear strong and composed in the face of emotional turmoil, while also acknowledging the painful truth beneath the surface.
Released as a single in 1964, Orbison’s version of “The Great Pretender” became another hit for the artist, demonstrating his ability to take well-known material and make it his own. While The Platters’ version remains iconic, Orbison’s rendition is often hailed for its emotional depth and the way it brings new life to a classic song. His performance of “The Great Pretender” is a powerful reminder of his incredible vocal range and his ability to convey the complexities of the human heart.
In the years since its release, “The Great Pretender” has continued to resonate with audiences, and Orbison’s version remains a beloved classic. Through his emotional delivery, Orbison’s interpretation of this timeless song elevates it beyond its pop roots, transforming it into a poignant meditation on the cost of emotional repression and the painful reality of pretending to be something you’re not. In a career full of memorable moments, Roy Orbison’s “The Great Pretender” stands as one of his most emotionally compelling and artistically significant performances.
