Pretend We're Dead

L7

About Pretend We're Dead

"Pretend We're Dead" is a 1992 song by grunge band L7, from the album Bricks Are Heavy. It was written by Donita Sparks. It was the first single from Bricks Are Heavy and achieved moderate international success. It spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, peaking at #8. It also reached #21 on the UK Singles Chart and charted in Belgium and Australia. It has been featured in the video games Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Rock Band 2, as well as numerous TV programs and films. A documentary about L7 directed by Sarah Price and titled L7: Pretend We're Dead was released in 2016. The film covers the band discussing challenges associate with producing the video for "Pretend We're Dead" including a crane failure that injured Suzi Gardner and heavy handed video producers that stifled the creative vision of Sparks. 


Year:
1992
3:53
236 
#2

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What's up with what's going down
In every city, in every town
Cramping styles is the plan
They've got us in the palm of every hand

When we pretend that we're dead
When we pretend that we're dead
They can't hear a word we've said
When we pretend that we're dead

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on come on

Turn the tables with our unity
They neither moral nor majority
Wake up and smell the coffee
Or just say no to individuality

When we pretend that we're dead (pretend that we're dead)
When we pretend that we're dead (pretend that we're dead)
They can't hear a word we've said (pretend that we're dead)
When we pretend that we're dead (pretend that we're dead)

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on come on

When we pretend that we're dead (pretend that we're dead)
When we pretend that we're dead (pretend that we're dead)
They can't hear a word we've said (pretend that we're dead)
When we pretend that we're dead (pretend that we're dead)

Come on, come on, come on, come on
Dead (pretend that we're dead)
Dead (come on, come on, come on, come on)
Dead (pretend that we're dead)
Dead (come on, come on, come on, come on)
Dead (pretend that we're dead)
Dead (come on, come on, come on, come on
Dead (pretend that we're dead)
Dead (come on, come on, come on, come on)
Dead (pretend that we're dead)
Dead (come on, come on, come on, come on)
Dead (pretend that we're dead)
Dead (come on, come on, come on, come on)
Dead (pretend that we're dead)
Dead (come on, come on, come on, come on)
Dead (pretend that we're dead)

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L7

L7 was an American grunge band from Los Angeles. They were active from 1985 to 2001. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s, though they were initially a heavy metal act. more »

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Written by: Donita Sparks

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Pretend We're Dead" is a song by "L7", an American punk rock band that was formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California by Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner.
Song Details
"Pretend We're Dead" is the band's biggest hit, released as the first single from their third studio album, "Bricks Are Heavy", in 1992.
Chart Rankings
The song reached the Number 8 position on the UK Singles Chart and Number 21 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.
Genre Classification
Despite L7 being predominantly categorized as grunge or punk, "Pretend We're Dead" often gets classified as alternative rock.
Music Video
The music video for "Pretend We're Dead" features the band performing the song on an animated, rotating platform, interspersed with clips of ordinary life and destructive behavior.
Song Writer
The song was written by Donita Sparks, who is also one of the band's vocalists and guitarists.
Influence
The song has had a strong influence on pop culture and has been featured in various movies, video games, and television shows, including "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas".
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered "Pretend We're Dead", including the all-female tribute band "The Ms. Fits".
Reunion Performance
During L7's reunion tour in 2015, "Pretend We're Dead" was a staple in their set list, showcasing its lasting popularity and influence.
Live Performances
It's known for its energetic live performances and has become an anthem for the band.
Social Commentary
Lyrically, the song is thought to be a commentary on apathy and the disillusionment of the American Dream.
Commercial Success
"Pretend We're Dead" is L7's most successful single to date, aiding in the commercial breakthrough of "Bricks Are Heavy" which reached number 160 on the Billboard 200.

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