Dolly Parton released 'The Great Pretender' in 1984 as her twenty-fourth solo studio album. The album was produced by Val Garay, known for his work with artists like Linda Ronstadt and Kim Carnes. The title track is a cover of The Platters' 1955 classic, which Parton reinterpreted with a pop and country style.
The album includes a mix of covers of songs by other artists, such as 'The Great Pretender' and 'Save the Last Dance for Me', along with original compositions by Parton. Although it was not one of her biggest commercial successes, it reached number 7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 73 on the Billboard 200.
The album cover features Dolly Parton in a red dress with a dramatic pose, reflecting the theme of the title track. The single 'The Great Pretender' peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, while 'Save the Last Dance for Me' did not enter the major charts.