Pretend (feat. A$AP Ferg)

### Writer(s)

A1, A$AP Rocky, Soko7, Detail, Lyrica Anderson, Tinashe, Dre Moon & Sool Got Hits

"Pretend" is a song by American singer Tinashe. It was released as her second single from her debut album *Aquarius.* The song, which was produced by producer Detail, features a guest verse from Harlem-based rapper ASAP Rocky.

## Official versions

* Final version — 3:35
* Demo — 3:33

## Background

In an interview with *Rap-Up*, Tinashe talked about the concept behind the song. She said “The song with Rocky is definitely kind of a contemporary-sounding song, it doesn’t really sound like a lot of other songs on the radio, but it’s a mid-tempo feel and it’s kinda minimalistic in the track." She also spoke about the song's meaning. She said, "Pretend" is basically about when you're in a relationship and instead of dealing with the stuff that you deal with in a relationship, you don't want to do that. You're just going to pretend that everything is fine. I think a lot of people can relate." "Pretend" is a pop song written by Tinashe, Lyrica Anderson and ASAP Rocky and was produced by Detail.

## Release and critical reception

"Pretend" premiered on August 22, 2014 online and the song's official music video, directed by Jodeb, was shot on August 19, 2014 and released on September 29, 2014. *Exclaim!* editor Gregory Adams complimented the singers vocals saying "Her voice builds up to an emotional cry in the chorus, which finds her praising the concept of "a love that never ends." Chris DeVille from *Stereogum* was less vocal about ASAP Rocky's appearance on the song but praised Tinashe by saying "her performance is the showstopper here."

## Music video

The song's official music video, directed by Jodeb, was shot on August 19, 2014 and released on September 29, 2014.

## Lyrics

* Final
* Demo

[Intro: Tinashe]

Love that n-

Love

Love that never ends

You...

[Intro: A$AP Rocky]

Yeah, it's almost like

Can't nobody do it quite, like

I do it right

Give it to you how you live

[Verse 1: Tinashe]

Can we pretend

That everything is like yesterday

What if I just wanna feel you touching me?

Ain't nobody perfect

So if you take a while to make it worth it

I wanna pretend

Let's pretend that we 'boutta break up

To catch the feelings that way we make up

Legs up, suicide, north side

We never count points when we courtside

[Pre-Chorus 1: Tinashe]

Let's pretend I ain't your friend

So we can get it on again

Let's pretend we never met

A good excuse to play forget

Let's pretend you never lied

So I can give it up all night

Swallow my pride, and learn to forgive

When I'm looking for love I pretend

[Chorus: Tinashe]

It's you

A love that never ends

I pretend it's you

That I'm in love with

[Verse 2: Tinashe]

If we pretend that I'm happy when I'm really not

Pretend that I give you everything I've got

Pretend that I'm there when I ain't there

Pretend that I care when I don't care

Once upon a time, I did

Now I admit that I was fucking with a kid

Now I pretend that everything's straight

When everything ain't just covered up like paint

[Pre-Chorus 2: Tinashe]

Let's pretend it's my first time

So you can really blow my mind

Let's pretend we never met

A good excuse to play forget

Let's pretend you never lied

So I can give it up all night

Swallow my pride, and learn to forgive

When I'm looking for love I pretend

[Chorus: Tinashe]

It's you

A love that never ends

I pretend it's you

That I'm in love with

[Verse 3: A$AP Rocky]

To never fool around with you was my best deed

Stand-up guy, heart up on my left sleeve

When I could find another lover by the next week

Besties turn to ex-ies from a pep tease

Fuck what these other n\*\*\*\*s on, I came to flaunt

What's that A$AP, little Saint Laurent?

Probably what you think about, the commas in my bank account

Pretty bitches bring em out, jiggy n\*\*\*\* in the house (ow)

When I caught her dancing by the couch (ow)

With her little booty hanging out (her blouse)

Stickin' something in her stomach

Got her screaming out "I'm coming", frontin' like you really want it

Still my n\*\*\*\* though

[Chorus: Tinashe]

It's you

A love that never ends

I pretend it's you

That I'm in love with

[Outro: Tinashe]

Can we pretend?

Can we pretend?

Can we pretend?

[Intro]

Love that n-

Love that never ends

You...

You-u-u...

[Verse 1]

Can we pretend

That everything is like yesterday

What if I just wanna feel you touching me?

Ain't nobody perfect

So if you take a while to make it worth it

I wanna pretend

Let's pretend that we 'boutta break up

To catch the feelings that way we make up

Legs up, suicide, north side

We never count points when we courtside

[Pre-Chorus 1]

Let's pretend I ain't your friend

So we can get it on again

Let's pretend we never met

A good excuse to play forget

Let's pretend you never lied

So I can give it up all night

Swallow my pride, and learn to forgive

When I'm looking for love I pretend

[Chorus]

It's you

A love that never ends

I pretend it's you

That I'm in love with

[Verse 2]

If we pretend that I'm happy when I'm really not

Pretend that I give you everything I've got

Pretend that I'm there when I ain't there

Pretend that I care when I don't care

Once upon a time, I did

Now I admit that I was fucking with a kid

Now I pretend that everything's straight

When everything ain't just covered up like paint

[Pre-Chorus 2]

Let's pretend it's my first time

So you can really blow my mind

Let's pretend we never met

A good excuse to play forget

Let's pretend you never lied

So I can give it up all night

Swallow my pride, and learn to forgive

When I'm looking for love I pretend

[Chorus]

It's you

A love that never ends

I pretend it's you

That I'm in love with

[Verse 3]

Tears used to hit by my pillow

Just be my enemy and I'm your hero

Lemme love you in the worst way

I wanna exhale like you should see

All I've been in

It's pretend that we make love

It's pretend that when I wake up

It's pretend this ain't the thought

Pretending I don't want it, I want it some more

[Chorus]

It's you

A love that never ends

I pretend it's you

That I'm in love with

## Trivia

* There were two main official remixes released, A new rap version featuring Jeezy and a dance mix by Dave Audé.
	+ A remix contest was also launched by DJBooth.com.
* This song samples Action by Orange Krush.
* There is a demo version of this song without A$AP Rocky.