This is a Masterpiece! I met Todd Rundgren in the late 1980s. He was one of the nicest people that I have ever met ...IN MY LIFE! He even took a picture with me.
This song, and the entire album, are an example of experimenting with music, while still making an entertaining album. Todd, as usual, was ahead of the pack with this one.
Maybe his more main stream HOF recognition now, will steer more ears into the "been hiding in plain sight for decades now" True Musical Genius that has always been TODD RUNDGREN! If you've never heard most of his songs yet, what a great treat and excitement is coming your way. As most of his stuff is timeless, and his pinnacle way of wringing emotions up from the deep recesses of our humanity is his finest of all his accomplished and finely honed tools, and God given Gifts !' Pretending to Care' a Wonderful example of it all. The song is so unique sounding is because of that cutting edge' Emulator' from the time he made this. It's his voice in the background vocals ' Emulated' and layered over dozens of times. The lyrics of course are cut wrenching but sung to a Beautiful 🎵 Song in a Beautiful Way.....
I loved Todd 's Release, "Runt". Especially "We gotta Get You A Woman", &" Baby Let's Swing", (1st verse is about Laura Nyro). I've followed his work. But this song, 'Pretending To Care", I had never heard before. It is so beautiful, and musically harkens back to his, "There Are No Words", also from "Runt". But "Pretending to Care", transcends the earlier piece, IMHO, not only the depth & beautiful lyric, but the harmonic transitions are both seamless, and unpredictable. And yes, as another listener mentions, the moment, at @ 3:05 is the , quote, "true spirit of music".unquote. For me, it's pure. Filled with Todd's own unique & true, soulsound. When I hear it I am for that moment, somewhere else. And grateful for it. Thanks for the post, True Wizard. I subscribed, after listening and reading the lyric you kindly printed. Always appreciate when the words are given their due. I found you through listening to Dale Schmitt's playlist 84-88. Thanks to you both.
Peter: Has it really been a year? Thanks for enjoying my playlist. My idea when creating "8488" was to put together a collection of songs that I thought represented the brighter moments of what I thought was a musically dark period. Peace!
@@peterd.9522 Hi! For me the 1980's was a mostly difficult period--but by the end of the decade I had a better idea of how to be happy. Today, I still would rather remember the seventies and sixties--maybe because I was too young for Vietnam. Back in the eighties, I could sing the high notes on "Pretending to Care." Haven't tried it lately. I imagine I could do it with practice. Apparently Todd still does it, judging by those recent live videos. Be well!
@@daleschmitt2163 Oh I loved the late sixties and late seventies too! It's good to remember the good times. Thanks for responding and reminding me of that Dale
One of the most beautiful songs and performances ever! The record is included in the book as one of the most innovative albums of XX century
I am a 62-year-old man, listening to this track for decades, and my heart aches, I want to cry. Not too many things strike such a cord in my life.
Right there with you...
I'm overdue for a good cry anyway.
This is a Masterpiece! I met Todd Rundgren in the late 1980s. He was one of the nicest people that I have ever met ...IN MY LIFE! He even took a picture with me.
Omg so glad to hear he's a nice guy
💞
This song, and the entire album, are an example of experimenting with music, while still making an entertaining album. Todd, as usual, was ahead of the pack with this one.
Maybe his more main stream HOF recognition now, will steer more ears into the "been hiding in plain sight for decades now" True Musical Genius that has always been TODD RUNDGREN! If you've never heard most of his songs yet, what a great treat and excitement is coming your way. As most of his stuff is timeless, and his pinnacle way of wringing emotions up from the deep recesses of our humanity is his finest of all his accomplished and finely honed tools, and God given Gifts !' Pretending to Care' a Wonderful example of it all. The song is so unique sounding is because of that cutting edge' Emulator' from the time he made this. It's his voice in the background vocals ' Emulated' and layered over dozens of times. The lyrics of course are cut wrenching but sung to a Beautiful 🎵 Song in a Beautiful Way.....
How to put this in words I cannot. I love you and your music ......!
This is so ridiculously beautiful!!!
His ultimate masterpiece
Just stunning in every sense 😘
A masterpiece♥️♥️♥️
that thing where "fade away" fades away
This is such a heartbreaking story
"Would you still be my eyes..or hide everything you see?" 🌟💔
Of course Todd is a master
I loved Todd 's Release, "Runt". Especially "We gotta Get You A Woman", &" Baby Let's Swing", (1st verse is about Laura Nyro). I've followed his work. But this song, 'Pretending To Care", I had never heard before. It is so beautiful, and musically harkens back to his, "There Are No Words", also from "Runt". But "Pretending to Care", transcends the earlier piece, IMHO, not only the depth & beautiful lyric, but the harmonic transitions are both seamless, and unpredictable. And yes, as another listener mentions, the moment, at @ 3:05 is the , quote, "true spirit of music".unquote. For me,
it's pure. Filled with Todd's own unique & true, soulsound. When I hear it I am for that moment, somewhere else. And grateful for it. Thanks for the post, True Wizard. I subscribed, after listening and reading the lyric you kindly printed. Always appreciate when the words are given their due. I found you through listening to Dale Schmitt's playlist 84-88. Thanks to you both.
Peter:
Has it really been a year? Thanks for enjoying my playlist. My idea when creating "8488" was to put together a collection of songs that I thought represented the brighter moments of what I thought was a musically dark period. Peace!
@@daleschmitt2163 Thank You. Those years were, for me, the BEST of Times & the WORST of Times. And music brings it all back so clearly. Be well!
@@peterd.9522 Hi! For me the 1980's was a mostly difficult period--but by the end of the decade I had a better idea of how to be happy. Today, I still would rather remember the seventies and sixties--maybe because I was too young for Vietnam. Back in the eighties, I could sing the high notes on "Pretending to Care." Haven't tried it lately. I imagine I could do it with practice. Apparently Todd still does it, judging by those recent live videos. Be well!
@@daleschmitt2163 Oh I loved the late sixties and late seventies too! It's good to remember the good times. Thanks for responding and reminding me of that Dale
As a teenager listening to this...yes, I did a back flip.
3:05, true spirit of music
Exquisite
The tonality is so difficult.
What would I do to warm up on piano...if I didn't play 'Hello' it's me?
Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite covered this song on his Edge album.
genius, is what.
Todd! Please remove bass vocal track. Distracts from the rest. Otherwise beautiful! (Like you’d ever listen to me!)