Just Pretend

Album: The Death of Peace of Mind (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Just Pretend" is an alternative metal track crafted by Bad Omen's frontman, Noah Sebastian, and lead guitarist, Joakim Karlsson. It delves into the tumultuous dynamics of a toxic relationship, a relentless push and pull. Things are strained between the couple, but Sebastian masks the pain, avoiding the truth lurking beneath. He's confident that eventually they will reconcile, and in the meantime, he'll just pretend.
  • Sebastian told Kerrang! the song "kind of started ironically." With his characteristic confidence, the Bad Omens frontman aimed to make a point about the predictability of modern active rock music, which often struck him as monotonous. He laid down a simple guitar track and riffed on melodies with an exaggerated, cocky tone, almost mocking the genre's typical macho style. But, as he wrapped up the chorus, he realized the song held untapped potential to be really sick, so he started taking it more seriously. Collaborating with Joakim Karlsson, they refined it over a few days, shaping it into the final product.
  • Sebastian proved his point about how easy it is to write modern active rock music when "Just Pretend" became Bad Omen's first major chart success. It topped both Billboard's Mainstream Rock Songs chart and Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 12, 2023.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

P.F. Sloan

P.F. SloanSongwriter Interviews

P.F. was a teenager writing hits and playing on tracks for Jan & Dean when he wrote a #1 hit that got him blackballed.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.