"The Name of the Game", first called "A Bit of Myself", was the first song to be recorded for ABBA's fifth studio album, following the band's European and Australian tour. It was their most complex composition yet – with Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad sharing the lead vocals but with solo passages from both women – and contained the influences of the laid-back California sound of the day
The opening riff on bass and synthesizer is inspired by Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" from the 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life, and both Andersson and Ulvaeus have acknowledged being inspired by Wonder's music during this part of ABBA's career.
A preliminary version of "The Name of the Game" was worked into the 1977 feature film ABBA: The Movie, for which it was written. When it was eventually finished, it was released as the lead single from ABBA: The Album in October 1977. Originally, another track entitled "Hole in Your Soul" was intended for release, but those plans were soon shelved. "The Name of the Game" was released with a live version of "I Wonder (Departure)" as the B-side. This B-side was one of several songs written for the mini-musical The Girl with the Golden Hair, written by Ulvaeus and Andersson and originally performed by ABBA on their 1977 world tour. The recording used on "The Name of the Game" single was recorded at Sydney Showground, Sydney, Australia on 3 or 4 March 1977. A studio recorded version of the song was included on ABBA: The Album.
"The Name of The Game" also marks the last time Stig Anderson helped with the lyrics of a single.
The Name of the Game
ABBA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only a week since we started
It seems to me, for every time
I'm getting more open-hearted
I was an impossible case
No-one ever could reach me
But I think I can see in your face
So I wanna know
What's the name of the game?
Does it mean anything to you?
What's the name of the game?
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please, 'cause I have to know
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow
And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know
The name of the game
I have no friends, no-one to see
And I am never invited
Now I am here, talking to you
No wonder I get excited
Your smile, and the sound of your voice
And the way you see through me
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
But it means a lot to me
So I wanna know
What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Does it mean anything to you? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please, 'cause I have to know
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow
And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know
Oh, yes, I wanna know
The name of the game (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
The lyrics to ABBA's The Name of the Game are about a person who has just met someone new and is trying to understand their feelings for them. The singer reflects on how closed off they used to be, but how their new connection has opened them up and made them more vulnerable. They are curious about what this connection means and what kind of game they are playing, and they want to know if the other person feels the same way.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses their growing feelings for the other person and how they make them feel more comfortable with themselves. They also express their insecurities and fears of being let down or laughed at for caring too much. Overall, the lyrics capture the uncertainty and excitement of a new connection and the desire to understand and be understood by the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen you twice, in a short time
We have met only twice, but it feels like a short time ago since we met last.
Only a week since we started
It's only been a week since we met.
It seems to me, for every time
Each time we meet, I feel like I am becoming more open-hearted.
I'm getting more open-hearted
I am becoming more emotional and open to new experiences.
I was an impossible case
I was someone who was difficult to reach or connect with.
No-one ever could reach me
No one in the past has been able to connect with me emotionally.
But I think I can see in your face
From your facial expressions, I sense that you have the ability to teach me and connect with me on an emotional level.
There's a lot you can teach me
I feel that there is so much that I can learn from you.
So I wanna know
I am curious and interested in discovering more about you and our connection.
What's the name of the game?
What is the nature or purpose of our relationship?
Does it mean anything to you?
Is this relationship significant or valuable to you?
Can you feel it the way I do?
Do you feel the same emotions and connection that I do?
Tell me please, 'cause I have to know
I need to know the answers to these questions, so please tell me.
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow
I am inexperienced and timid in these matters, and I am just starting to explore and grow in my emotional maturity.
And you make me talk
You are able to bring out my emotions and encourage me to express myself.
And you make me feel
You are able to evoke strong emotions within me.
And you make me show
You are able to help me reveal my true self and express my emotions openly.
What I'm trying to conceal
What I am attempting to hide or suppress within myself.
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
If I open up and trust you with my emotions, will you betray that trust and hurt me?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Would you make fun of me or belittle my feelings if I revealed that I have feelings for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
Do you have romantic feelings for me as well?
I wanna know
I am eager and curious to know the answers to these questions.
I have no friends, no-one to see
I am lacking in social connections and do not have any close friends.
And I am never invited
I am excluded and overlooked in social situations and events.
Now I am here, talking to you
I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak with you and connect with someone on an emotional level.
No wonder I get excited
It's no surprise that I am thrilled and exhilarated by this experience.
Your smile, and the sound of your voice
Your facial expressions and tone of voice contribute to the emotional connection between us.
And the way you see through me
You have the ability to see beyond my exterior and understand me on a deeper level.
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
I have a strong intuition that my feelings for you are irresistible and beyond my control.
But it means a lot to me
Our connection is significant and valuable to me.
Oh, yes, I wanna know
I am enthusiastic and eager to learn more about you and our connection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus, Stig Erik Leopold Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harrispetsas3017
One of Abba's finest songs. Frida's and Agnetha's voices are so different and so beautiful. They are impeccably synchronised and combined. Masterpiece!
@inglepropnoosegarm7801
Composition, performance, production and arrangement all perfect. A masterpiece indeed.
@daynasmum529
I think its fair to say they are the most harmonious female duo ever - by a very long shot. Its like angels singing.@@inglepropnoosegarm7801
@markokrunic6325
Masterpiece
@qsstores6933
Me: just one Abba song before bed.
Me two hours later: just one more...
@clayriffs_
Same
@Dustiliciousz
For some reason, I always have the same. You just get into the vibe.... and before you know it, hoursss
@JH-ce7yd
Same. Except that I've been doing that two nights running now, and staying up half the night. Arrgh.
@churchill981
I don’t blame you mate!
@rhondamckay5925
Yup...waking up the house with my singing.