Games
Crosby/Nash Lyrics
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Dyin' in the rain
Raised on laughter
Lost in a game
The game was bein' better
Wiser than you
Half an inch taller
A deeper shade of blue
Or thinkin' that I loved you
More than you loved me
Failing to lay it on the line
All the time
The games of gettin' money
The game of gettin' more
The ego game of power
The ugly game of war kills love
Don't you know that?
Born in the [Incomprehensible]
Dyin' in bad air
Started out honest
Wound up down there
Love you, love you
The lyrics of Crosby/Nash's song "Games" convey the idea that life is a game, and we all play it differently. The first two lines suggest a contrasting image where the singer was born in the sunshine but ends up dying in the rain, setting a dark tone to the song. The next two lines talk about laughter as the singer's upbringing, but they're currently lost in a game. The lines "Love you, love you" are simple and repetitive, perhaps meant to show that love is constant even as one navigates through the many challenges of life.
The song talks about the various kinds of games people play, from games of getting money to chasing power, and power inevitably leads to war, which kills love. The lyrics are hard-hitting and express cynical views that life is full of games and a mere illusion of control. The singer's voice grows more assertive towards the end, suggesting that the games played in life are dishonest and end up with a lousy outcome. The lyrics go on to describe how the singer began playing honestly but was eventually corrupted and went "down there."
Line by Line Meaning
Born in the sunshine
Started life full of happiness and joy.
Dyin' in the rain
Ending life with sadness and hardships.
Raised on laughter
Grew up in a happy and playful environment.
Lost in a game
Confused and uncertain about a particular situation or relationship.
Love you, love you
Repeated affirmation of love.
The game was bein' better
The goal was always to excel and outdo others.
Wiser than you
Thinking oneself more knowledgeable and intelligent than others.
Half an inch taller
Even a small difference in appearance can be used as a game-playing strategy.
A deeper shade of blue
Feeling more sadness and heartbreak than the other person in a relationship.
Or thinkin' that I loved you
Believing in a one-sided love or infatuation.
More than you loved me
Feeling like one person loves the other more in a relationship.
Failing to lay it on the line
Hiding one's true feelings or intentions, and lacking clarity and honesty in communication.
All the time
Continuously and repeatedly happening.
The games of gettin' money
Playing various tricks and strategies to acquire wealth and riches.
The game of gettin' more
Trying to get more than what one already has, often to the detriment of others.
The ego game of power
Playing games with others in order to increase one's status or authority.
The ugly game of war kills love
Violent conflicts and wars can destroy the love and trust among people.
Don't you know that?
A rhetorical question asking if the listener is aware of the negative effects of playing such games.
Born in the [Incomprehensible]
The first line is actually incomprehensible and cannot be accurately interpreted.
Dyin' in bad air
Ending life in an undesirable and polluted environment.
Started out honest
Initially being truthful and sincere in dealings with others.
Wound up down there
Ending up in a negative situation or environment, often due to dishonesty or deceit.
Love you, love you
Repeated affirmation of love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CROSBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind