What key is "The Great Pretender" in?

"The Great Pretender" by The Platters is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 72 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "The Great Pretender" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "The Great Pretender" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "The Great Pretender"?

This arrangement of "The Great Pretender" uses 11 chords: Ab, Bb7, C7, Cm7, Eb, Eb7, F7, F9, +3 more.

How long does it take to learn "The Great Pretender" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by The Platters can I play here?

Try "THE MAGIC TOUCH", "ONLY YOU", "Earth Angel". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Oh, (Eb)yes, I’m the (Fm)great

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend er,

(Eb7)pre (Ab)tend in’

I’m do in’ (Eb)well.

(Eb7)My (Ab)need

is (Bb7)such, I pre (Eb)tend too (Ab)much; (Fm7)I’m (Eb)lone ly, but (Fm)no one can (Eb)tell.

(Bb7)Oh, (Eb)yes, I’m the (Fm)great

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend er,

(Eb7)a (Ab)drift in a world of my (Eb)own.

(Eb7)I (Ab)play

the (Bb7)game, but to (Eb)my real (Ab)shame, (Fm7)you’ve (Eb)left me to (Fm)dream all a (Eb)lone.

(Eb7)Too (Ab)real is this feel ing of (Eb)make

be lieve, (Eb7)too (Ab)real when I feel what my (Eb)heart can’t con (Bb7)ceal.

Oh, (Eb)yes, I’m the (Fm)great

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend er,

(Eb7)just (Ab)laugh in’ and gay like a (Eb)clown.

(Eb7)I (Ab)seem

to (Bb7)be what I’m (Eb)not,

(Eb)you (Ab)see;

(Fm7)I’m (Eb)wear in’ my (Fm)heart like a (G)crown,

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend in’ (Eb)that (Fm)you’re still a (Eb)roun’.

(Bb7)Oh, (Eb)yes, I’m the (Fm)great

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend er,

(Eb7)pre (Ab)tend in’

I’m do in’ (Eb)well.

(Eb7)My (Ab)need

is (Bb7)such, I pre (Eb)tend too (Ab)much; (Fm7)I’m (Eb)lone ly, but (Fm)no one can (Eb)tell.

(Bb7)Oh, (Eb)yes, I’m the (Fm)great

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend er,

(Eb7)a (Ab)drift in a world of my (Eb)own.

(Eb7)I (Ab)play

the (Bb7)game, but to (Eb)my real (Ab)shame, (Fm7)you’ve (Eb)left me to (Fm)dream all a (Eb)lone.

(Eb7)Too (Ab)real is this feel ing of (Eb)make

be lieve, (Eb7)too (Ab)real when I feel what my (Eb)heart can’t con (Bb7)ceal.

Oh, (Eb)yes, I’m the (Fm)great

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend er,

(Eb7)just (Ab)laugh in’ and gay like a (Eb)clown.

(Eb7)I (Ab)seem

to (Bb7)be what I’m (Eb)not,

(Eb)you (Ab)see;

(Fm7)I’m (Eb)wear in’ my (Fm)heart like a (G)crown,

(Bb7)pre (Eb)tend in’ (Eb)that (Fm)you’re still a (Eb)roun’.

(Bb7)Oh, (Eb)roun’.

The Great Pretender by The Platters

54 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Ab at 72 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Learn how to accompany it· the chords and what each hand plays, on Super Simple Chords ↗

About “The Great Pretender”

What key is "The Great Pretender" in?: "The Great Pretender" by The Platters is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 72 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "The Great Pretender" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "The Great Pretender" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "The Great Pretender"?: This arrangement of "The Great Pretender" uses 11 chords: Ab, Bb7, C7, Cm7, Eb, Eb7, F7, F9, +3 more.
How long does it take to learn "The Great Pretender" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by The Platters can I play here?: Try "THE MAGIC TOUCH", "ONLY YOU", "Earth Angel". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.