“She lifts you up and then beats you down” — Lillasyster’s “Pretender” lyrics tell the story of a toxic relationship

In the second chance round of Melodifestivalen 2021, eight acts will battle it out for four spots in the final. Amongst the contenders is hard rock band Lillasyster, who qualified for Andra Chansen from semi-final one. They’re hoping to represent Sweden at Eurovision with their anthemic rock song “Pretender”.

Scroll down for “Pretender” lyrics. 

Melodifestivalen 2021: Lillasyster “Pretender”

Mello debutants Lillasyster (literally Little Sister) are a four-piece Swedish rock band consisting of Martin Westerstrand on vocals, Andreas Bladini on bass, Ian Paolo-Lira on drums and Max Flövik on drums. They released their debut album Hjärndöd musik för en hjärndöd generation (Brain-dead music for a brain-dead generation) in 2007. They also gained international attention for their cover of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”. Since then, the band have released four studio albums and have nominated for several Swedish Grammys in the hard rock genre.

“Pretender” is co-written by Isak Hallén, Palle Hammarlund, Jakob Redtzer and Lillasyster members Ian-Paolo Lira and Martin Westerstrand. In 2020, Palle Hammarlund co-wrote three Melodifestivalen songs — “Nobody”, “Winners” and “Vamos Amigos”, the latter three of which made it to the final.

Meanwhile, Isak Hallén co-wrote Jakob Karlberg’s Melfest 2020 entry “Om du tror att jag saknar dig”. Drummer Ian-Paolo Lira returns as a Melfest songwriter after a nine year absence; in 2011 he co-wrote Anders Fernette’s “Run”.

Jakob Redtzer and Martin Westerstrand make their songwriting debuts at Melodifestivalen. Although, Jakob Redtzer has some experience working with a Melfest veteran. He worked with 2018 silver medalist Felix Sandman on his song “Relations”.

What do the “Pretender” lyrics mean?

“Pretender” tells the story of man and a woman in a toxic parasitic relationship. The man accuses the woman of being deceitful, claiming she’s got a “pretty face and a dirty mouth” and will “run off with some other guy”. But regardless of her actions, the man finds himself coming back to the woman — he’s addicted to her lies.

“It’s the hardest song this year”, Lillasyster tell SVT. “We wrote it because of the pandemic, since we didn’t have any other gigs. It will rock your ass off.”

In Andra Chansen, Lillasyster will duel against Alvaro Estrella’s “Baila Baila” to earn a spot in the Melodifestivalen 2021.

“Pretender” lyrics — Lillasyster (Melfest 2021)

Pretty face and a dirty mouth
She lifts you up and then beats you down
Get you hooked on her supply
Then run off with some other guy

You’re the sharpest knife
Couldn’t feel when you drove it inside
If I heal with time

You know that I
Remember, remember
The way you bled me out
Pretender, pretender
Addicted to your lies

You’re the sharpest knife
Couldn’t feel when you drove it inside
Pretender, pretender
A snake’s tongue in your
mouth

Got your red hot venom flowing all through my veins
When I open my eyes all I see is your face
You’re so hollow,
Truth I can’t swallow
But I can’t deny
What you’re doing to me
You’re so hollow,
Truth I can’t swallow
That you’re everything I’ll ever need

You know that I
Remember, remember
The way you bled me out
Pretender, pretender
Addicted to your lies

You’re the sharpest knife
Couldn’t feel when you drove it inside
Pretender, pretender
A snake’s tongue in your
mouth

Pretender,
pretender just like me
Pretender,
Pretender you got
One last chance to
Un-break me
Just lay your arms down
Honestly

You know that I
Remember, remember
The way you bled me out
Pretender, pretender

(Oof!)

You know that I
Remember, remember
The way you bled me out
Pretender, pretender
Addicted to your lies

You’re the sharpest knife
Couldn’t feel when you drove it inside
Pretender, pretender
A snake’s tongue in your
mouth

What do you think of “Pretender”? Will Lillasyster defeat Alvaro Estrella in the second chance round? Sound off in the comments below. 

Read more Sweden Eurovision 2021 news here