Pretending — a fragile moment when young love realizes it may already be slipping away
When “Pretending” appeared in 1978, it felt like a pause in the whirlwind career of Shaun Cassidy — a moment when the bright smile and effortless charm gave way to uncertainty, hesitation, and emotional doubt. Released as a single from the album Under Wraps, the song reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, confirming Cassidy’s continued popularity while quietly signaling a shift in tone. This was not the exuberant rush of first love; this was the uneasy realization that something once true might now exist only because both sides are afraid to let go.
By the late 1970s, Shaun Cassidy was already a familiar presence in popular culture. His earlier hits had captured innocence, excitement, and youthful confidence, but “Pretending” stood apart. Written by Scott English and Marshall Hain, the song brought a more reflective emotional palette, one that fit an audience slowly growing older alongside him. It spoke to those moments in life when love doesn’t end with drama or betrayal, but with quiet denial — when two people continue simply because admitting the truth feels too painful.
From its opening lines, the song establishes a subtle tension. There is no accusation, no anger — only the heavy awareness that the connection has changed. The title itself, “Pretending,” carries the weight of the entire story. Pretending that feelings are still the same. Pretending that silence isn’t growing louder. Pretending that staying together is easier than facing the loneliness of truth. Cassidy’s delivery is restrained, almost cautious, as if he knows that raising his voice might shatter the fragile illusion the song describes.
What makes the performance especially poignant is how his voice balances vulnerability with restraint. He does not oversing. He does not plead. Instead, he sounds like someone thinking out loud, carefully choosing words so as not to wound — perhaps even himself. It is a voice that understands how love can fade not in a single moment, but gradually, through small compromises and unspoken realizations.
Musically, the song reflects the late-1970s soft pop sensibility: smooth melodies, gentle rhythms, and an arrangement that allows emotion to breathe. Nothing feels rushed. The production supports the story rather than overshadowing it. This simplicity gives the lyrics room to linger, making the song resonate long after it ends. It is the kind of track that invites repeat listening, each time revealing a new emotional detail.
For listeners at the time, “Pretending” may have mirrored experiences they rarely heard reflected in pop music. Not every relationship ends with slammed doors or dramatic goodbyes. Some end quietly, with both people holding on just a little too long. Cassidy gave voice to that experience — the in-between space where love has not fully disappeared, but no longer feels certain.
Within the album Under Wraps, the song occupies a reflective corner, offering contrast to more upbeat material. It suggested that Shaun Cassidy was not merely a fleeting teen idol, but an artist capable of emotional nuance. While it did not reach the top of the charts like some of his earlier hits, its staying power lies elsewhere — in recognition rather than excitement.
Looking back now, “Pretending” feels like a snapshot of emotional maturity arriving earlier than expected. It captures that universal moment when we realize we are acting a role we once believed in — and quietly asking ourselves how long we can keep playing it. For those who have lived through love’s quieter endings, the song still speaks softly, honestly, and with enduring relevance.
In the end, “Pretending” is not about heartbreak alone. It is about awareness. And sometimes, awareness is the most painful truth of all.