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Jackson Browne – The Pretender Lyrics 14 years ago
Interesting comments. I'm a female in my mid 40's and have been a HUGE JB fan since I was about 12 and my brother introduced him to me. I love how my own interpretation of lyrics that have been with me for so long evolves as I get older.

I too agree with many others comments about this song being about "leading lives of quiet desperation" but I often wonder, what is the realistic alternative? What is on the other side that people think will make them happy? Not having someone to love? Not having a job? Not having a roof over their head? Knowing that JB wrote this when he was in his late 20's makes sense, but not sure he would write the same lyrics 30 years later.

I'm also struck by how many people think that men are the ones who are trapped in these lives (but perhaps it's only men on this forum who comment). I can guarantee you that is not the case.

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