The Pretender is the fourth album by the American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, released in 1976. It peaked at No. 5 on Billboard's album chart. The singles from the album were "Here Come Those Tears Again", which reached No. 23, and "The Pretender", which peaked at No. 58.

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Russ Kunkel – drums (1)

Jim Gordon – drums (2, 4)

Jeff Porcaro – drums (5–8)

Leland Sklar – bass guitar (1, 6, 7)

Chuck Rainey – bass guitar (2, 5)

Bob Glaub – bass (4, 8)

Jackson Browne – vocals, acoustic guitar (1, 2)

David Lindley – slide guitar (1, 6), violin (5)

Lowell George – slide guitar (2), harmony vocals (2)

Roberto Gutierrez – guitarrón (3), violin (3), backing vocals (3)

Luis Damian – acoustic guitar (3), backing vocals (3)

John Hall – guitar solo (4)

Fred Tackett – acoustic guitar (4, 5, 7, 8), electric guitar (4, 7, 8), guitar left (6)

Albert Lee – electric guitar (5)

Waddy Wachtel – guitar right (6)

Craig Doerge – acoustic piano (1, 6, 7, 8)

Roy Bittan – acoustic piano (2)

Bill Payne – Hammond organ (2), acoustic piano (4, 5)

Michael Utley – Hammond organ (4)

Arthur Gerst – harp (3), backing vocals (3), musical arrangements (3)

Jim Horn – saxophone (6), horn arrangements (6)

Quitman Dennis – saxophone (6)

Dick Hyde – trombone (6)

Chuck Findley – trumpet (6)

David Campbell – string arrangements (7, 8)

harmony vocals:
Rosemary Butler (4), Bonnie Raitt (4)
Don Henley (5), JD Souther (5)
David Crosby (8), Graham Nash (8)