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Playing Dead
CHVRCHES Lyrics


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No more excuses and no more playing dead
There are no silver linings in anything you said
If you keep on denying and I could stay away
We could hold up our hands, say we don't want it, we don't need it

If I give more than enough ground, will you claim it?
I will take it all in one breath and hold it down
And if I try to pretend that I don't hear it
You can tell me to move and I won't go
You can tell me to try and I won't go

If I give more than enough ground, will you leave it?
I will take it all in one breath and hold it down
And if I try to pretend that I don't see it
You can tell me to move and I won't go
You can tell me to try and I won't go

No more distractions and no more staying still
I am chasing the skyline much more than you ever will
You can keep to your story and I could stick to mine
We could hold up our hands, say we don't want it, we don't need it

If I give more than enough ground, will you claim it?
I will take it all in one breath and hold it down
And if I try to pretend that I don't hear it
You can tell me to move and I won't go
You can tell me to try and I won't go

If I give more than enough ground, will you leave it?
I will take it all in one breath and hold it down
And if I try to pretend that I don't see it
You can tell me to move and I won't go
You can tell me to try and I won't go

(Go-go-go-down-go-go-go-go-go)
(Go-go-go-down-go-go-go-go-go)
(Go-go-go-down-go-go-go-go-go)
(Go-go-go-down-go-go-go-go-go)

If I give more than enough ground, will you claim it?
I will take it all in one breath and hold it down
And if I try to pretend that I don't hear it
You can tell me to move and I won't go
You can tell me to try and I won't go

If I give more than enough ground, will you leave it?
I will take it all in one breath and hold it down
And if I try to pretend that I don't see it
You can tell me to move and I won't go
You can tell me to try and I won't go

(Go-go-go-down-go-go-go-go-go)
(Go-go-go-down-go-go-go-go-go)

Overall Meaning

"Playing Dead" is a song by Scottish synth-pop band CHVRCHES, released in 2021. The song is about a failing relationship, specifically about one person giving more to the relationship than the other person. The lyrics are a plea for the other person to either give more to the relationship or to end it altogether. The song begins with a clear message of no more excuses and no more playing dead, suggesting that the relationship issues need to be addressed once and for all. The lyrics are straightforward and honest, delivering a clear message to the listener.


The chorus of the song "If I give more than enough ground, will you claim it? I will take it all in one breath and hold it down" suggests that one person is willing to do anything to keep the relationship alive. The imagery of taking all in one breath and holding it down represents their willingness to endure any amount of pain to make the relationship work. The next part of the chorus, "And if I try to pretend that I don't hear it, You can tell me to move and I won't go," suggests that this person is even willing to ignore any problems that arise in the relationship if it means they can keep it intact. The last line of the chorus "you can tell me to try and I won't go" is a declaration of their commitment to the relationship.


In summary, "Playing Dead" is a song that portrays the struggles of a relationship in which one person is giving more than the other. The lyrics are honest, with simple yet powerful messages about love, commitment, and the pain of heartbreak.


Line by Line Meaning

No more excuses and no more playing dead
I will no longer make excuses and ignore the problems in our relationship


There are no silver linings in anything you said
There is no positive aspect to what you have said to me


If you keep on denying and I could stay away
If you continue to deny our issues, I could distance myself


We could hold up our hands, say we don't want it, we don't need it
We could both admit that we don't want or need this relationship


If I give more than enough ground, will you claim it?
If I compromise more than necessary, will you take advantage of me?


I will take it all in one breath and hold it down
I will hold all of my emotions and grievances without expressing them


And if I try to pretend that I don't hear it
If I try to ignore the problems and pretend everything is okay


You can tell me to move and I won't go
If you suggest that I leave this relationship, I won't do it


You can tell me to try and I won't go
If you suggest that I try to save this relationship, I won't do it


No more distractions and no more staying still
I will no longer allow us to be distracted or stagnant in our relationship


I am chasing the skyline much more than you ever will
I am striving for greater things than you and our current relationship


You can keep to your story and I could stick to mine
We can each have our own perspective on what went wrong in our relationship


If I give more than enough ground, will you claim it?
If I compromise more than necessary, will you take advantage of me?


If I try to pretend that I don't hear it
If I try to ignore the problems and pretend everything is okay


If I give more than enough ground, will you leave it?
If I compromise more than necessary, will you just walk away?


If I try to pretend that I don't see it
If I try to ignore the problems and pretend everything is okay


If you tell me to move, I won't go
If you suggest that I leave this relationship, I won't do it


If you tell me to try, I won't go
If you suggest that I try to save this relationship, I won't do it




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IAIN ANDREW COOK, LAUREN EVE MAYBERRY, MARTIN CLIFFORD DOHERTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@PhilomathBret

I can't believe they didn't make a single of this song. I think it's easily the best song on the album.

@halcyon-ar

I know, right! not only on the album, I think this is the band best song.

@TolgaHanKayaTR8R

Down side of me is the best for me

@thierryrault3951

My favorite from "Every open eye".

@crystvlone4881

This and Up In Arms are my favourite songs by them

@Gestalt73

Totally agree with that! A shame it was not a single

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@chipomatongo2292

The song is damn fire

@cdav28

This song almost got me 2 speeding tickets hahaha. What a jam! Play it loud and on repeat!

@mrraymo8863

I love this album! Play it loud while driving.

@raultthierry6480

Beautiful & sentimental song. Makes me tears in my eyes...

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