The Pretender

by Foo Fighters
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Lyrics

(A)Keep you in the dark.

You know they all pre tend.

(A)Keep you in the dark, and so it all be gan.

Send in your ske le tons.

Sing as their bones come march ing in

a gain.

The need you bur ied deep, the se crets that you keep are (D)at the rea dy.

Are you read y?

I’m fin ished mak ing sense, done plead ing ig no rance, that old

de fense.

Spin ning in fi ni ty, but the wheel is spin ning me.

It’s (D)nev er end ing, (Fsus2)nev er end ing.

Same (Dsus2)old (D)sto (G5)ry.

(A)What if I say I’m not like the oth ers?

What if I say I’m not just an oth er (D9)one of your plays?

You’re the pre tend er.

(Fmaj7)What if I say I will nev er sur ren der?

(A)What if I say I’m not like the oth ers?

What if I say I’m not just an oth er (D9)one of your plays?

You’re the pre tend er.

(Fmaj7)What if I say I will nev er sur ren der?

In time, or so I’m told, I’m just an oth er soul for sale.

Oh, well.

The page is out of print.

We are not perm a nent, we’re (D)tem por ar y, (Fsus2)tem po rar y.

Same (Dsus2)old (D)sto (G5)ry.

(A)What if I say I’m not like the oth ers?

What if I say I’m not just an oth er (D9)one of your plays?

You’re the pre tend er.

(Fmaj7)What if I say I will nev er sur ren der?

(A)What if I say I’m not like the oth ers?

What if I say I’m not just an oth er (D9)one of your plays?

You’re the pre tend er.

(Fmaj7)What if I say I will nev er sur ren der?

In time, or so I’m told, I’m just an oth er soul for sale.

Oh, well.

The page is out of print.

We are not perm a nent, we’re (D)tem por ar y, (Fsus2)tem po rar y.

Same (Dsus2)old (D)sto (G5)ry.

(Fmaj7)nev er sur ren der?

I’m the voice in side your head you re fuse to hear.

I’m the face that you have to face, mir rored in your stare.

I’m what’s left.

I’m what’s right.

I’m the en e my.

I’m the hand that will take you down, bring you to your knees.

So who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

(A)Keep you in the dark.

You know they all

pre tend.

(A)What if I say I’m not like the oth ers?

What if I say I’m not just an oth er (D9)one of your plays?

You’re the pre tend er.

(Fmaj7)What if I say I will nev er sur ren der?

(A)What if I say I’m not like the oth ers?

What if I say I’m not just an oth er (D9)one of your plays?

You’re the pre tend er.

(Fmaj7)What if I say I will nev er sur ren der?

(A)What if I say I’m not like the oth ers?

What if I say I’m not just an oth er (D9)one of your plays?

You’re the pre tend er.

(Fmaj7)What if I say I will nev er sur ren der?

So who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

Yeah, who are you?

The Pretender — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

2 people have learned this song

Classic piano notation for "The Pretender" by Foo Fighters as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in A — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 176 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (A) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “The Pretender”

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "The Pretender" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key A, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "The Pretender" by Foo Fighters in?
The backing track is in A at 176 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "The Pretender" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "The Pretender"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "The Pretender", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "The Pretender" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "The Pretender"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "The Pretender"?
"The Pretender" was originally performed by Foo Fighters. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Foo Fighters are available?
Other accompaniments by Foo Fighters: "Something From Nothing". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of A, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "The Pretender" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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