Time to Pretend — MGMT Lyrics

Annotations

"Time To Pretend" was written by Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser when they were seniors at Wesleyan University, which is roughly when college students consider their prime.He's essentially mocking the "typical" life many musicians aspire to: creating music and doing what they love, earning a fortune, and getting married to a model. In addition to subtly mocking this "recipe," he suggests that they should simply follow everyone else and adhere to the formula that has essentially been used in the music industry for ages.They see a life filled with aggressive partying, travel, and drugs.

These words contribute to the band's air of mystery. You can use your imagination freely because you don't truly know them:

Some people believe we use drugs. The tongue-in-cheek element is perceived by others. Confusion is what I want as a lyricist!By mentioning items that pop stars frequently buy, such cocaine and pricey vehicles, the singer carries on the notion of a washed-out rockstar lifestyle in this lyric.Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser stated in an interview with Time Out London that the song was inspired by their humorous idea that they should become artists and sell out in order to enjoy the rewards of celebrity. In 2006, the band agreed to a four-album deal with Columbia Records, a major label.Instead of working a 9–5 job in a cubicle, they would like to deal with the fast-paced world of the music industry.

In addition to feeling stuck in the clichéd "rock star" lifestyle, there's the "rough life but someone's gotta do it" attitude. However, how can they ever return to the life of a cubicle once they are?They are pretending to be excited about a life that involves using drugs of various kinds, staying up late, sleeping, and having absurdly high money. Ironically, none of these things lead to true happiness; they are all things that people aspire to achieve.They are remembering how easy and joyful childhood was. This is reflected in the song's conception by the band:

A praying mantis we had in our home served as the inspiration for the song's melody, which we composed during our last year of college. It died after she laid eggs, and we placed the egg case on the mantle piece of a model pirate ship. When the eggs hatched, all of the baby praying mantises climbed up the ship's rigging, and it was quite weird.Our praying mantis, who enjoyed dancing to The Clash, served as the inspiration for the song's melody, while the lyrics simply describe our fantasies of being rock stars.Being surrounded by people who are solely interested in your material belongings and social standing will not lead to true love. They may always go on to the next alluring woman because life is flexible and nothing is permanent.Like other celebrities, they only associate with the most attractive people as they gain notoriety (they can hire models thanks to their celebrity). Like other well-known celebrities, they will go through each model individually (it's almost like a screenplay at this point), have children with the models, and then fight. Divorce... dispute regarding custody... Locate a different model and repeat the entire process (continuously run its course).

However, the use of fatalistic phrases like "everything must run its course" in reference to something so ostentatious and obviously superfluous likely reveals a more lofty undercurrent. The statement ironically supports the idea that being a celebrity comes with responsibilities and demands, including self-centeredness and self-destruction.Several well-known artists, including Jimi Hendrix, John Bonham, Janis Joplin, Mama Cass, Keith Moon, Billy Murcia, and Bon Scott, have died by choking on their own vomit following a drug overdose and/or excessive drinking.

Having achieved no true value from life, the narrators will die in vain, practically devastated by their own excess.They will keep living an unhappy life, pretending that this is all they ever desired.Here, the narrator says "YEAH," perhaps agreeing with the song's ideas, blasé as they may be.

Song Details and Overview

• Featuring Artists: None


• Producer: Dave Fridmann


• Composers: Ben Goldwasser & Andrew VanWyngarden


• Writers: Ben Goldwasser & Andrew VanWyngarden


• Release Date: August 30, 2005


• Album: Oracular Spectacular


• Track Number: 1


• Label: RED Ink Records & Columbia Records


• Genre: Psychedelic Pop, Synth-Pop, Indie Rock


• Language: English


• Instruments: Synthesizer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar


• Mood: Nostalgic, Dreamy, Reflective

Exploring the Meaning of "Time to Pretend"

The song "Time to Pretend" by MGMT is a satirical yet poignant exploration of the allure and hollowness of a stereotypical rockstar lifestyle. Written during their senior year in college, MGMT channels youthful rebellion, disillusionment, and the bittersweetness of nostalgia. The lyrics paint a fantastical picture of indulgence and hedonism while exposing its emptiness. Beneath its dreamy synth layers, the song is a meditation on the inevitabilities of life, loss, and the human tendency to "pretend" as a coping mechanism.

Themes and Interpretation

• Escapism: The song critiques the romanticized rockstar life, blending surreal fantasies like "shooting heroin and [messing] with the stars" with the reality of fleeting satisfaction.


• Nostalgia: The verses reflect longing for childhood simplicity and familial comfort, juxtaposed against the chaos of adult aspirations.


• Mortality and Futility: Lyrics like "We'll choke on our vomit and that will be the end" highlight the ultimate emptiness of reckless living.


• Satire: MGMT intentionally exaggerates these themes to mock societal ideals of fame and excess.

Meaning and Annotations

• [Verse 1] Describes the excitement and recklessness of pursuing fame, using vivid imagery to capture the wild fantasies of stardom.


• [Pre-Chorus 1] Highlights the freedom of choice to live extravagantly but questions its worth compared to mundane stability.


• [Chorus] Introduces the idea of pretending, symbolizing the sacrifices and facade required to pursue a grandiose lifestyle.


• [Verse 2] Reflects on the longing for simpler, happier times, contrasting with the artificial highs of adult life.


• [Pre-Chorus 2] A cynical acceptance of the inevitable cycles of love, loss, and fleeting happiness.


• [Outro] The repetitive "yeah, yeah, yeah" echoes a resigned affirmation of life's absurdity.

Similar Songs

The themes and style of "Time to Pretend" can be compared to other introspective and satirical tracks:

• "Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi: Explores similar themes of escapism and the pursuit of hollow success.


• "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day: Reflects on isolation and the emotional toll of ambition.


• "No Surprises" by Radiohead: Critiques societal expectations and the monotony of adult life.


• "Rockstar" by Nickelback: Parodies the rockstar lifestyle, akin to MGMT’s satirical approach.


• "Float On" by Modest Mouse: Balances themes of acceptance and resilience with reflective lyrics.

Chart Performance and Awards

- Ranked #493 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
- Featured in major media such as the TV series Skins, the movie Saltburn, and the trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Quotes

Some think we’re druggies. Others see the tongue-in-cheek element. That’s what I hope for as a lyricist: confusion!

MGMT on the interpretation of "Time to Pretend"