Freddie Mercury – The Great Pretender

It’s Freddie Mercury’s birthday.

He is probably best known for his work with Queen, but my favourite is The Platters’ song The Great Pretender.

It was often played on the radio when I was taking my children to and from Dunedin Hospital. A couple of lines really resonated with me:  . . . pretending that I’m doing well/My need is such I pretend too much/I’m lonely but no one can tell . . .

It helped to hear someone express something of what I was feeling then. When I hear it now I remember a little bit of how it felt. But rather than feeling maudlin I’m comforted by the knowledge that bad times pass and it is possible to be happy again.