Cher gained popularity in 1965 as one-half of the folk rock husband-wife duo Sonny & Cher after their song "I Got You Babe" peaked at number one on the US and UK charts. Together they sold 40 million records worldwide. Her solo career was established during the same time, with the top-ten singles "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" and "You Better Sit Down Kids". She became a television personality in the 1970s with her CBS shows; first The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, watched by over 30 million viewers weekly during its three-year run, and then the namesake Cher. She emerged as a fashion trendsetter by wearing elaborate outfits on her television shows.
While working on television, Cher released the US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves", "Half-Breed", and "Dark Lady", becoming the female artist with the most number-one singles in United States history at the time. After her divorce from Sonny Bono in 1975, she released the disco album Take Me Home (1979) and earned $300,000 a week for her 1979–1982 concert residency in Las Vegas.
In 1982, Cher made her Broadway debut in the play Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean and starred in its film adaptation. She subsequently garnered critical acclaim for her performances in films such as Silkwood (1983), Mask (1985), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), and Moonstruck (1987), the last of which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She then revived her music career by recording the rock-inflected albums Cher (1987), Heart of Stone (1989), and Love Hurts (1991), all of which yielded successful singles such as "I Found Someone", "If I Could Turn Back Time", and "Love and Understanding". Cher contributed to the soundtrack for her next film, Mermaids (1990), which spawned the UK number-one single "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)". She made her directorial debut with a segment in the abortion-themed anthology If These Walls Could Talk (1996).
Cher reached a new commercial peak in 1998 with the dance-pop album Believe, whose title track topped the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1999 and became the biggest-selling single of all time by a female artist in the UK. It features pioneering use of Auto-Tune to distort her vocals, known as the "Cher effect". Her 2002–2005 Living Proof: The Farewell Tour became one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time, earning $250 million. In 2008, she signed a $60 million deal to headline the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for three years. During the 2010s, she landed starring roles in the films Burlesque (2010) and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) and released studio albums Closer to the Truth (2013) and Dancing Queen (2018), both of which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.
Having sold 100 million records, Cher is one of the world's best-selling music artists. Her achievements include a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, the Billboard Icon Award, and awards from the Kennedy Center Honors and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She is the only artist to date to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart in six consecutive decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s. Aside from music and acting, she is noted for her political views, social media presence, philanthropic endeavors, and social activism, including LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Cher Official Website: https://www.cherfanclub.com
YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/cher
The Name Of The Game
Cher 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 willing to grow
And you make me talk (doo-doo, doo-doo)
And you make me feel (doo-doo, doo-doo)
And you make me show (doo-doo, doo-doo)
What I'm trying to conceal (doo-doo, doo-doo)
If I trust in you (doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you let me down? (Doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you laugh at me (doo-doo, doo-doo)
If I said I care for you? (Ah, ah)
Could you feel the same way, too?
I wanna know
What's 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 willing to grow
And you make me talk (doo-doo, doo-doo)
And you make me feel (doo-doo, doo-doo)
And you make me show (doo-doo, doo-doo)
What I'm trying to conceal (doo-doo, doo-doo)
If I trust in you (doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you let me down? (doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you laugh at me (doo-doo, doo-doo)
If I said I care for you? (Ah, ah)
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
What's the name of the game?
(What's the name of the game?)
"The Name of the Game" is a heartfelt love song that explores the vulnerability and openness that comes with falling in love. The lyrics express the singer's growing fondness for someone they have recently met. The opening lines suggest that they have only seen each other a few times within a short period, but already their feelings are intensifying and their heart is becoming more open to the possibility of love.
The singer acknowledges that they were previously an "impossible case" who couldn't be reached by anyone else. However, when they look at the person's face, they realize there is a lot they can learn from them. They want to know the name of the game, meaning they want to understand the nature of the connection they are feeling. They wonder if the other person feels the same way and if they can trust them not to let them down or laugh at their feelings.
The chorus emphasizes the impact the other person has on the singer's life. Their smile, the sound of their voice, and the way they see through them are all irresistible qualities. The singer mentions that they have no friends and are rarely invited anywhere, which emphasizes their loneliness before meeting this person. Now, their excitement and desire to grow are palpable.
Overall, "The Name of the Game" portrays the uncertainty and hopefulness that can come with falling in love. The lyrics explore the yearning for connection, the fear of rejection, and the joy of discovering someone who has the power to make you feel seen and understood.
Line by Line Meaning
I've seen you twice, in a short time
I have encountered you only two times, within a brief period
Only a week since we started
It has been merely seven days since we initiated our connection
It seems to me, for every time
In my perception, with each instance
I'm getting more open-hearted
I find myself becoming more emotionally vulnerable
I was an impossible case
Previously, I was considered an extremely challenging individual
No one ever could reach me
Nobody was able to establish a connection with me
But I think I can see in your face
However, I believe I can discern from your facial expressions
There's a lot you can teach me
That you possess a great deal of knowledge and wisdom to impart upon me
So I wanna know
Therefore, I am eager to learn
What's the name of the game?
What is the essence or nature of this situation?
Does it mean anything to you?
Does it hold any significance in your perspective?
Can you feel it the way I do?
Do you experience the same emotions as I do?
Tell me, please
Kindly inform me
'Cause I have to know
Because it is imperative for me to understand
I'm a bashful child willing to grow
I am a timid individual who is eager for personal development
And you make me talk (doo-doo, doo-doo)
You encourage me to express myself verbally
And you make me feel (doo-doo, doo-doo)
You evoke various emotions within me
And you make me show (doo-doo, doo-doo)
You prompt me to reveal my true self
What I'm trying to conceal (doo-doo, doo-doo)
The aspects I attempt to hide or keep secret
If I trust in you (doo-doo, doo-doo)
If I place my faith in you
Would you let me down? (Doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you disappoint or betray me?
Would you laugh at me (doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you mock or ridicule me?
If I said I care for you? (Ah, ah)
If I were to express my affection towards you?
Could you feel the same way, too?
Is it possible for you to reciprocate those feelings?
I have no friends, no one to see
I lack companions or acquaintances to spend time with
And I am never invited
Furthermore, I am never included or asked to join social activities
Now I am here, talking to you
However, now I find myself in this situation, conversing with you
No wonder I get excited
It is no surprise that I become enthusiastic or thrilled
Your smile, and the sound of your voice
The presence of your smile, along with the tones you produce when speaking
And the way you see through me
And the manner in which you are able to perceive my true self
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
I have a distinct sensation that you leave me with no alternative
But it means a lot to me
However, it holds a great deal of significance for me
Your smile and the sound of your voice
The presence of your smile and the tones you produce when speaking
Can you feel it the way I do?
Are you able to experience the same emotions as I do?
What's the name of the game?
Once again, what is the essence or nature of this situation?
Your smile and the sound of your voice
The presence of your smile and the tones you produce when speaking
Does it mean anything to you?
Does it hold any significance in your perspective?
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
I have a distinct sensation that you leave me with no alternative
But it means a lot
Yet, it holds a great deal of significance
What's the name of the game?
Once again, what is the essence or nature of this situation?
Your smile and the sound of your voice
The presence of your smile and the tones you produce when speaking
Can you feel it the way I do?
Are you able to experience the same emotions as I do?
Tell me, please, 'cause I have to know
Inform me, I implore you, as I am compelled to understand
I'm a bashful child willing to grow
I am a shy individual who is eager for personal development
And you make me talk (doo-doo, doo-doo)
You encourage me to express myself verbally
And you make me feel (doo-doo, doo-doo)
You evoke various emotions within me
And you make me show (doo-doo, doo-doo)
You prompt me to reveal my true self
What I'm trying to conceal (doo-doo, doo-doo)
The aspects I attempt to hide or keep secret
If I trust in you (doo-doo, doo-doo)
If I place my faith in you
Would you let me down? (doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you disappoint or betray me?
Would you laugh at me (doo-doo, doo-doo)
Would you mock or ridicule me?
If I said I care for you? (Ah, ah)
If I were to express my affection towards you?
Could you feel the same way, too?
Is it possible for you to reciprocate those feelings?
What's the name of the game?
Once again, what is the essence or nature of this situation?
Your smile and the sound of your voice
The presence of your smile and the tones you produce when speaking
Can you feel it the way I do?
Are you able to experience the same emotions as I do?
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
I have a distinct sensation that you leave me with no alternative
but it means a lot
However, it holds a great deal of significance
What's the name of the game?
Once again, what is the essence or nature of this situation?
Your smile and the sound of your voice
The presence of your smile and the tones you produce when speaking
Can you feel it the way I do?
Are you able to experience the same emotions as I do?
I wanna know
I desire to be informed
Oh, yes, I wanna know
Oh, indeed, I eagerly desire to be informed
The name of the game
The essence or nature of this situation
I was an impossible case
Previously, I was considered an extremely challenging individual
Does it mean anything to you?
Does it hold any significance in your perspective?
But I think I can see in your face
However, I believe I can discern from your facial expressions
That it means a lot
That it holds a great deal of significance
What's the name of the game?
What is the essence or nature of this situation?
Your smile and the sound of your voice
The presence of your smile and the tones you produce when speaking
Can you feel it the way I do?
Are you able to experience the same emotions as I do?
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
I have a distinct sensation that you leave me with no alternative
but it means a lot
However, it holds a great deal of significance
What's the name of the game?
Once again, what is the essence or nature of this situation?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus, Stig Erik Leopold Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shawn Veillon
72 years old when this was recorded. Have you EVER heard anyone that age have a voice this strong? I mean seriously, phenomenal.
Thomas Wojtaszek
I couldn't agree more! She's been around since the 60s and yet she's still a revelation!
Love it
In an alternate dimension, Cher was the lead vocal in ABBA. I love the originals but honestly her voice is passionate and really interprets these songs soooo perfectly.
Peter Dennis
That means, in an alternate dimension, Agnetha and Frieda sang all of Chers' songs. What an album that would be.
Smart.Robot
That's what true talent is all about and Cher has got plenty of that...
dancingdj60
WOW....have never heard her sing this high...and no struggle...most people's voices arent stronger as they age...well Ms. Cher's is. Loving this.
Darrell Bevins
I saw her not long ago on some show when she said her doctor said her lungs are like that of a person in their 20's
TheGodOfPegana
Never heard her sing this high? Check this one out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l-yQR5srts
Smart.Robot
I love the ABBA originals but this is really growing in me! CHER please...release this as a single and with a decent video! What an excellent cover version...probably the best I've listened to in years!...
BOT 2
We have ABBA, Amanda Seyfried, and Lily James versions and now we have Cher's.