I hate to say it but we all are evil. The good deeds we do in life are all for a reason. We just pretend to act nice so that we can get what we want. If we act horrible then we won't get anything that we want. We act nice to better our reputation and the way that people see us. we are "hiding so no one sees" our evil side to us. think about a time where you see a successful person in life who is evil. Very rare. But if you do see it, that person had to pretend to act nice in order to get to that point of successfulness.
For example, think about the last good deed you did. You were doing it for a reason whether you like the fact of it or not.

I get the impression that this song is about a couple that loves each other incredibly but also knows that they do not belong together. They pretend and hope their relationship will work, but deep down know that it won't. This song is amazing because it is absolutely seething with Graffin's emotion and pain. Songs like this are an excellent change of pace, and show a much more emotional, personal side of Graffin.
Also interesting is the intro sounds alot like the chorus to The Lie.

Well, first of all, I gotta say I LOVE this song, definitely should have been on The New America album. As for the lyrics, it seems it deals with the problems of a forced union, also called "society" - you live here, it's give and take, but you also give even if you know you won't like what you get. Take for example, taxes. You also support the war in Iraq if you pay your taxes in the US. Or on a lower level, the communication. You talk, exchange thoughts, but in the end, these people can give you nothing, as you're so different from them. You "duke it out", but in the end, you won't get a consensus. Still, you are all united in this state, have to get along, even if you are discontent about it. We are "pretenders", and some people are doing it perfectly. "Ignorance takes far less energy", sometimes "tolerance" is just "ignorance", but it's the easier way out. You smile, play your game, actually hate it, and you're a perfect pretender doing so. You may have success, but you will never find "your peace of mind" this way, as it is a superficial lifestyle. Just look at the bridge - I can PERFECTLY imagine a all-styled-up teenage girl getting ready for the next cool party - clich?? It's true anyway! Those people are the pretenders, even though it may seem "harsh", but you can in fact not share everybody's point of view, and those who seem to be "everybody's darling" are pretenders - "lost in this charade", they don't know what they actually want and probably lack a real identity as well. They entered the rat race of faking and playing a role rather than being yourself, and they are actually happy doing so - but only because they "live in their dreams".

I think it's about a couple that are trying to make their relationship perfect because they think it's "supposed" to be that way, but in reality, not only is it imperfect, but they don't even really love each other.

A song that I remember when I heard this song is "Maybe She Will". I meantion this because I think Pretenders is about Greg's close relationship with a person of faith. An atheist and a religious mind colliding "We duke it out and change our views" (I believe). Greg also says this person can't give him what he needs (like a long-term relationship that can result in a marriage and being with that person forever) "I know you can't give me what I need". Greg most likely had a heart-breaking relationship with a person of God (and should join my club :) )

This song seems to me to be about how in today's society we are all just hiding behind masks. For instance, the first verse, 'We duke it out, we change our views, we hold so dear our unanimity' Obviously this is saying that through our voting system, we can say we are pro-whatever we want, and argue and argue about it, but in the end, when we're behind the curtain pressing the buttons, we can be as closed minded, and no one knows it was us. The second verse kinda confuses me, so i'm gonna ignore it for now... hehe, anyway. The bridge almost sounds like Graffin is admitting he isn't perfect (sorry folks, gonna have to start tearing that alter down... j/k) by saying he's attacking the way 'you' (being a figure representing mainstream society) is so shallow, but all the while, Graffin is afraid he is the same way. This could also be taken that most of society is afraid they are like someone else, which is such a bad thing, because we are all taught to be unique, but uniqueness has become mainstream, because uniqueness can be bought and sold at the mall.