Pretend to Be: A Father’s Review
I congratulate Jehangir on the release of his new video. I am writing this blog to share with Jehangir’s fans and friends some important insights and reasons behind how this song came to be and that may not be known generally. In a way I am sharing some of the inner thoughts, emotions and catharsis that exist in this beautiful song.
It will not be incorrect to state that from the perspective of the viewers of the video it may only be a four minute combination of music, pictures and rhythm but for Jehangir it is a journey to manhood. The reason is that certain sad events had invaded his protected life, while he was a child. Thus for Jehangir “Pretend to Be” involved the resolution of the trauma and shock that disturbed his placid existence. This crisis was caused by the shock of Jahangir’s father’s persecution at the hands of General Musharraff when the later launched the coup on 12th October 1999.
This song thus portrays Jehangir’s personal confrontation with power on the one hand and the tough childhood in which people changed their attitudes overnight. Jehangir in the first verse of the song encapsulates that painful period by saying, “Standing still, feeding the cold, binding meaning to serve the soul.” Jehangir here is facing a situation where his secure world is collapsing before his eyes. He then relates how he survived this period by banking on his internal strength to remain sane and functional.
Listeners are then taken to the depth of Jehangir’s personal loneliness and persecution when in the second verse he shares his thoughts how he survived by constructing an imaginary world full of peaceful distant places and refers to this “constructionist imagination” by singing “Drifting away to a distant place. We will mould the clay and start a new day.”
The song then points to the conflict of an imaginary world that though peaceful yet interferes with reality of existence. In trying to create a synthesis he sings, “I’m breaking apart the pieces today. I am pushing ‘em so far away,” and then provides an answer by saying “I’ll fill up the spaces with what’s left to feel. I’ll bury the dead and feed on what’s to be.” It is as if Jehangir finally finds himself and begins his new existence with a self that has passed through an epic internal struggle towards new found strength and maturity. At another level the song, “Pretend to Be” is about growing up!
As Jehangir’s father it has been a fascinating privilege to see him mature into a very good and a talented young man. I wish him good luck in his journey of self discovery!
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The essence and beauty of song has increased manifold after this heart touching explanation. I think i am more in love with this song now.
Good luck with your future work.
The lyrics of this song are very deep & meaningful… we love it!
I knew this song was deep the first i heard it. I can relate to it so much as i also went through a phase of loneliness & a tough childhood.
And since now you have given the background of what his thoughts really were its always great to listen to a song with meaning and emotions attached to it.
you must be proud Sir of what your son has achieved or due to achieve.
Wish jehangir all the best for future.
this song is so emotional and deeep, i can always relate to it in my own ways.
jehangirs father gave us amazing person and artist.
i love jehangir and his voice, its so touchyy, it touches my heart
I had tears in my eyes when I was reading this
and anyone can relate to it!
Amazing lyrics Sir!
MashAllah ur son is very talented:)
Yes, thats quite true..i hadn’t thought of it that way baba jee. so Jay found a way out of those miserable days by tuning in to his music n finding solace there. those days were so very traumatic for all of us. So proud of you for fighting the odds in such a brave n dignified way baba jee…. n proud of jehangir for turning the negativity into something positive and constructive.. and for giving us all such brilliant compositions and songs!!
i have tears in my eyes as i read this….its so moving!!!! I wish Jehangir the very best in life and i pray for his success!!
wow….. jehangir does it again. The moment I heard the begining of the composition…. 1 or 2 years back, it was spine chillingly good. I do not not know how to give scoring to a song, but I can say that this song and the music moves my soul. And so 10/10 my little brother. Wish you all the success with this wonderful talent that Allah has given you.
Go and make some more music and rock the world and make us all proud.
Thank you Babaji for lovingly showing, and sharing an insight, into the origins and making of the lyrics. This makes it all fall so perfectly in place.
Nice lyrics and sweet music; and the appreciation is beautiful too. Apart from biographical elements in the song which for sure have deep impacts on Jehangir’s life, every listener will explain and feel in his/her own way. I like the song. Keep it up Jehnagir!
Keats Says:
‘Tis not through envy of thy happy lot,
But being too happy in thine happiness, –
That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees,
In some melodious plot
Of beechen green and shadows numberless,
Singest of summer in full-throated ease.
Best wishes