The Great Pretender

Was there a story behind this 1987 Freddie solo single? Any reason to why he did it and why he picked this particular song?

It's no secret that Queen was going through rough times during the 1986 tour. There were arguments and personal problems.

Did he want to kickstart a solo career at that point or was it always meant to be a one off thing?

Think he wanted to record a covers solo album. But that idea was shelfed and it turned into Barcelona.
I think... :)

I think the subconscious reason was to finally say/sing "I am gay" (a.k.a Just laughing and gay like a clown)
Take that with a bit of salt pls.

He explained a lot of times in interviews.
Like he was a pretender on stage, or having double side...On stage and being singer, he was like a force of naturate, and in his personal life he was shy.

[QUOTE] [b]Ron wrote:[/b]

Think he wanted to record a covers solo album. But that idea was shelfed and it turned into Barcelona.
I think... :)[/QUOTE]



I have heard that before............kinda similar actually to what eventually turned into Another World.......that was originally supposed to be Brian's covers album.....

I think the words "pretending that I'm doing well" are key here: I think he was dealing at some level with his illness beginning to take hold.

..................and your conjecture / synopsis on why the Platters recorded it everyone.

Did his school band the Hectics not do some Platters covers? Could have been a nostalgic angle to it too. Or the fact he always liked the song...

I thought it was because Freddie heard it, liked it, wanted to cover it, did a demo, liked it, and recorded it.

I think that was said in the "Freddie Mercury Story" documentary with interviews with Freddie's sister and mom, and Peter Straker that was released a while back. I think DoRo directed it.

Shame he didnt do an album of covers the great pretender was amazing but I think doing Barcelona might have kept him going

[QUOTE] [b]Ron wrote:[/b]

Think he wanted to record a covers solo album. But that idea was shelfed and it turned into Barcelona.
I think... :)[/QUOTE]

Correct. He wanted to do a cover album, but he was contacted by Montserrat and the rest is history

Freddie said SOMETHING LIKE THIS (from my memory, I'm at work): "It's what I do - acting. I'm acting on stage and in the music videoes, I'm pretending..." - and - "When you see me on stage I'm this big macho man, but now (off stage) I'm really quite boring." - and - In the beginning of his career, he felt he had to do different things for the press (when he went out), because that's what Freddie Mercury supposed to do ...He felt like a great pretender, and that the public/fans really didn't know him, so the song was perfect for him.

He also said that The Great Pretender had always been in the back of his head, and he always wanted to do a cover version, but he couldn't do that with Queen, because Queen wrote their own material/songs.