Pretend (Tinashe song)

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"Pretend"
Single by Tinashe featuring ASAP Rocky
from the album Aquarius
ReleasedAugust 22, 2014
RecordedClockwork Studios (Los Angeles)
GenrePop[1][2]
Length3:55
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Tinashe singles chronology
"2 On"
(2014) 		"Pretend"
(2014) 		"Body Language"
(2014)
ASAP Rocky singles chronology
"Fashion Killa"
(2013) 		"Pretend"
(2014) 		"Multiply"
(2014)
Music video
"Pretend" on YouTube

"Pretend" is a song by American singer Tinashe. It was released as her second single from her debut album Aquarius.[3] The song, which was produced by producer Detail, features a guest verse from Harlem-based rapper ASAP Rocky.

Composition[edit]

"Pretend"
A 23-second sample of "Pretend" by Tinashe featuring A$AP Rocky, where the chorus is heard.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

In an interview with Rap-Up, Tinashe talked about the concept behind the song. She said "The song with Rocky is definitely kind of a contemporary-sounding song, it doesn’t really sound like a lot of other songs on the radio, but it’s a midtempo feel and it’s kinda minimalistic in the track."[4] And when speaking about the song's meaning, she said, ""Pretend" is basically about when you're in a relationship and instead of dealing with the stuff that you deal with in a relationship, you don't want to do that. You're just going to pretend that everything is fine. I think a lot of people can relate."[5]

"Pretend" is a pop song written by Tinashe, Lyrica Anderson and ASAP Rocky and was produced by Detail.[1][2]

Release and critical reception[edit]

"Pretend" premiered on August 22, 2014 online.[6]

Exclaim! editor Gregory Adams complimented the singers vocals saying "Her voice builds up to an emotional cry in the chorus, which finds her praising the concept of "a love that never ends."[7] Chris DeVille from Stereogum was less vocal about ASAP Rocky's appearance on the song but praised Tinashe by saying "her performance is the showstopper here."[6]

Music video[edit]

The song's official music video, directed by Jodeb, was shot on August 19, 2014[8] and released on September 29, 2014.[9]

Credits and personnel[edit]

Recording locations
Personnel
  • Tinashe – songwriter, lead vocals
  • ASAP Rocky – songwriter, guest vocals
  • Detail – songwriter, producer
  • The Order – songwriter, producer
  • Lyrica Anderson – songwriter
  • Héctor el Father – recording, mixing
  • Geebizzy – recording assistant, mixing assistant
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing
  • Ryan Kaul – mixing assistant
  • Maddox Chimm – mixing assistant
  • Contains a sample from "Action", as performed by Orange Krush
  • Dave Kutch – mastering

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Aquarius.[10]

Track listing[edit]

  • Digital download
  1. "Pretend" (featuring ASAP Rocky) – 3:52
  • Digital download[11]
  1. "Pretend Remix" (featuring Jeezy) – 4:16
  • Digital download[12]
  1. "Pretend" (Dave Audé Remix) – 3:40

Charts[edit]

Chart (2014–2015) Peak
position
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[13] 83
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[14] 96
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[15] 36
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] 17
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 34
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[18] 45
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[19] 29

Release history[edit]

Date Format Label
August 22, 2014[20] Digital download RCA

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Listen: Tinashe – 'Pretend' (feat. A$AP Rocky)". August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Clarke, Betty (August 27, 2014). "Tinashe review – bald and bawdy R&B-infused pop". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  3. ^ "Tinashe Announces 'Aquarius' Album + Collaborations with Future & A$AP Rocky". Dope Avenue. April 3, 2014. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "Rap-Up.com – New Music: Tinashe f/ A$AP Rocky – 'Pretend'". Rap-Up.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  5. ^ "Tinashe Speaks On Upcoming A$AP Rocky Collaboration 'Pretend'". April 2, 2014. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Tinashe – "Pretend" (Feat. A$AP Rocky) – Stereogum". Stereogum. August 22, 2014. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Tinashe". Archived from the original on August 25, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "TinasheNC on Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "TINASHE – PRETEND (FEAT. ASAP ROCKY) (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". RapWave. September 29, 2014. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  10. ^ Aquarius (Liner notes). Tinashe. RCA Records. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "iTunes – Music – Pretend Remix (feat. Jeezy) – Single by Tinashe". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). December 3, 2014. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  12. ^ "iTunes – Music – Pretend – Single by Tinashe". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). November 11, 2014. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  13. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201439 into search. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  14. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201439 into search. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  15. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Oct 25, 2014". Billboard. October 25, 2014. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.(subscription required)
  17. ^ "Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart". Billboard. October 25, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2015. (subscription required)
  18. ^ "Tinashe Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "Rhythmic Songs: Dec 13, 2014". Billboard. December 13, 2014. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.(subscription required)
  20. ^ TinasheOfficialVEVO (August 25, 2014). "Tinashe – Pretend ft. A$AP ROCKY". Archived from the original on June 27, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016 – via YouTube.
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