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Play On
Carrie Underwood Lyrics


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What you gonna do when the show is over
What you gonna sing when the song ends
How you gonna cope when there is no closure
Where you gonna reach when the goal gets higher
How you gonna make it through
When you think you lost the chance

Play on
When you're losing the game
Play on
'Cause you're gonna make mistakes
It's always worth to sacrifice
Even when you think you're wrong
So play on
Play on

Even when the flood gates swing wide open
Never let the currents sink you down, no
Even when you're not sure where you're going
Swimming through the mess and you can't get out
Just going through the motions, and trying not to drown

Play on
When you're losing the game
Play on
'Cause you're gonna make mistakes
It's always worth to sacrifice
Even when you think you're wrong
So play on
Play on

Even though it's the storm on the darkest night
Don't you ever give up the fight
Even when you feel you're all alone
Play on
Play on

Play on
When you're losing the game
Play on
'Cause you're gonna make mistakes
It's always worth to sacrifice
Even when you think you're wrong
So play on
Play on

Play on
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Na na na na na na na
Na na na na na na na

Overall Meaning

“Play On” is a song that reassures and encourages listeners to keep going even when things seem impossible. The lyrics in the verses depict the challenges of life, such as dealing with the aftermath of failed events and overcoming obstacles as they arise. In the chorus, the phrase “play on” is repeated to remind us that no matter how difficult it may seem, we must persevere and keep moving forward.


The first verse speaks of what someone would feel when a great show comes to an end. It’s a sense of emptiness and confusion, but in order to pursue one's goals, one must carry on. The second verse talks about how sometimes, even if we are unsure of our destination, we need to keep moving no matter what. The bridge highlights the importance of not losing hope and staying determined even when all seems lost.


The driving force of the song is the repeated line “Play on” which acts as a metaphor for life. Even when the river of life tries to push you down, you need to fight and keep moving forward. The song uses music as a medium to convey this message that no matter what challenges we face, we must not give up and keep pushing towards our goals.


Line by Line Meaning

What you gonna do when the show is over
What will you do when the journey ends, and the spotlight fades away?


What you gonna sing when the song ends
What message will you send once everything is said and done?


How you gonna cope when there is no closure
How will you deal with everything when there is no convenient way to end it?


Where you gonna reach when the goal gets higher
What heights will you reach when the bar is raised higher than before?


How you gonna make it through, When you think you lost the chance
What will you do when things don't seem to go well, and you think you've lost your chance?


Play on When you're losing the game
Continue to move forward even when it seems like you're losing the game.


Play on 'Cause you're gonna make mistakes
Continue playing on because you will make mistakes, but that’s okay.


It's always worth to sacrifice Even when you think you're wrong
Remember that making sacrifices and taking chances is always worth it, even when you think you might be wrong.


Even when the flood gates swing wide open Never let the currents sink you down, no
Regardless of what challenges come your way, never let them hold you down.


Even when you're not sure where you're going Swimming through the mess and you can't get out Just going through the motions, and trying not to drown
Even when you're unsure of what's next, keep moving forward and don't let the difficult times hold you down.


Even though it's the storm on the darkest night Don't you ever give up the fight Even when you feel you're all alone
Remember to keep fighting through the worst times, even when you feel isolated and alone.


Play on Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Na na na na na na na Na na na na na na na
Keep playing on even when the going gets tough.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Bluewater Music Corp., Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Natalie Nicole Hemby, Luke Robert Laird, Carrie Underwood

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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