The Great Pretender
Version covered by Freddie Mercury
The Great Pretender chords, transcribed by Shane McDonald
This version of The Great Pretender is as transcribed from the Freddie Mercury album, the key is Ab and there are some notes at the end which the violin plays on the outro which may help also – if you listen to the song you can see what I mean in the outro.
Intro: Ab Db/Ab Eb (Bass note varys between Eb and F) Verses: Ab Db/Ab Eb/Ab Ab
Oh yes, I'm the Great Pretender,
Db Ab
Pretending I'm doing well.
Db Eb Ab Ab/C Db Ddim
My need is such, I pretend too much,
Ab/Eb Eb Ab/C Ab
I'm lonely but no one can tell
Ab Db/Ab Eb/Ab Ab
Oh yes, I'm the great Pretender,
Db Ab
Adrift in a world of my own
Db Eb Ab Ab/C Db Ddim
I play the game, but to my real shame
Ab/Eb Eb Ab/C Ab
You've left me to dream all alone.
Db Ab
Too real is this feeling of make believe,
Db Ab Eb
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal
Ab Db/Ab Eb/Ab Ab
Oh yes, I'm the great pretender
Db Ab
Just lauging and gay like a clown
Db Eb Ab Ab/C Db Ddim
I seem to be, what I'm not, you see,
Ab/Eb Eb Ab/C Ab
I'm wearing my heart like a crown,
Ddmin Eb Ab/Eb Ab
Pre-tending that you're still around
Above chords should do for the remainder of the song, the last "Pretending ..." bit is as follows Ddmin Eb Ab/Eb Ab Pre-tending that you're still around
Ab/Eb Db Ab Pre-tending that you're still around
Outro: Violin : (NOTES) Trill notes, working down through the keybord : (Eb F)x3 (Db Eb)x3 (C Db)x3 (Bb C)x3
Outro Chords: Ab Abdim Db Ddim Ab (trill the notes Ab and Bb 4 times on the Ddim chord)
Chords Shapes used above : Ddim = D F and Ab Abdim = Ab B D