The Games That Daddies Play
Conway Twitty Lyrics


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He put his arms around her shoulder
And with a voice that sounded older
He said mom I've got something on my mind
I don't want to bother you
But I sure need to talk to you
If you could only spare the time
And mom I hope you understand
How much I love and need you and
I don't want you to take this the wrong way
But don't you think I'm old enough
And big enough and strong enough to play
The games that daddies play

My friend Billy Parker's dad
Came by today to see me and
He wondered if I'd like to go
With him and Billy on a hike
And maybe camp out overnight
The way I've seen them do in picture shows
And there's one thing I'd like to do
And maybe if I asked him to
He's sit and talk to me man to man
We'd only be gone overnight
And I could find out what it's like to play
The games that daddies play

She quickly turned to hide the tears
From her son of seven years
He didn't know she'd read between the lines
He'd never really known his dad
And although he'd never ask
She knew exactly what was on his mind
She searched her mind in desperation
Six long years of separation
Dimmed the words she knew she had to say
I hope you're never big enough
Or old enough or bold enough to play
The games that daddies play

I know you need and want his love




But son, you're the victim of
Another kind of games that daddies play

Overall Meaning

Conway Twitty's song The Games That Daddies Play is a poignant and heartfelt depiction of a young boy’s longing for his father’s love and attention. In the song, the boy approaches his mother, seeking her permission to spend time with his friend’s father so he can experience the “games that daddies play.” The mother, however, is forced to confront her own fears and heartaches over her estranged relationship with the boy’s father. She understands that her son’s desire to be with his father reflects his yearning for a paternal figure in his life, but she also knows the damage that can be wrought by a father who plays games with his children’s emotions. As she holds back her tears, she tells her son that he is the victim of another kind of game that some fathers play.


The song has a universal appeal and is relatable to anyone who has experienced the pain of a broken family or a distant father figure. It conveys the longing of a child for the attention of his parents and the hurt that comes with the realization that some things may never change.


Line by Line Meaning

He put his arms around her shoulder
He embraced his mother with a hug


And with a voice that sounded older
Speaking with a more mature tone


He said mom I've got something on my mind
He confided that he had something to say


I don't want to bother you
He didn't want to be a burden


But I sure need to talk to you
He needed to express his feelings


If you could only spare the time
If she had time to listen


And mom I hope you understand
He hoped his mother would comprehend


How much I love and need you and
He expressed his love and dependence


I don't want you to take this the wrong way
He didn't want to be misinterpreted


But don't you think I'm old enough
He felt mature enough


And big enough and strong enough to play
Physically and emotionally ready for


The games that daddies play
To do things fathers do with their sons


My friend Billy Parker's dad
His friend's father


Came by today to see me and
Visited him earlier


He wondered if I'd like to go
Asked if he was interested to join


With him and Billy on a hike
To go hiking with them


And maybe camp out overnight
Stay outdoors for the night


The way I've seen them do in picture shows
Like how he had seen in movies


And there's one thing I'd like to do
He had something he wanted to try


And maybe if I asked him to
If he requested


He's sit and talk to me man to man
To have a heart-to-heart conversation


We'd only be gone overnight
For just one night


And I could find out what it's like to play
See and experience firsthand


The games that daddies play
What fathers and sons do together


She quickly turned to hide the tears
His mother tried to conceal her emotions


From her son of seven years
Her young son


He didn't know she'd read between the lines
He wasn't aware she understood his unspoken request


He'd never really known his dad
He had never really got to know his father


And although he'd never ask
He wouldn't demand it from her


She knew exactly what was on his mind
She knew what he was thinking


She searched her mind in desperation
She struggled to find the right thing to say


Six long years of separation
After six years of being apart


Dimmed the words she knew she had to say
Made it difficult to express what needed to be said


I hope you're never big enough
She wished he'd never grow up


Or old enough or bold enough to play
She didn't want him to experience


The games that daddies play
The activities she associated with fathers


I know you need and want his love
She knew he craved his father's affection


But son, you're the victim of
But unfortunately, he was suffering the consequences of


Another kind of games that daddies play
Another form of emotional gameplaying by fathers




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CONWAY TWITTY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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