Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game
Diana Ross and the Supremes Lyrics


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I'll admit that you've been
Playing with my heart
Just like it was a toy
And I've been playing along
And letting you treat me wrong
Because it seems to give you joy

Are you sure love is the name of this game
Are you sure love is the name of this game

For days on end you just stay away
Waitin' for my heart to weaken
It's like we're playing hide and seek
And I'm the one who's always seeking

Are you sure love is the name of this game
I want to know
Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game

Well if everything's right
And uptight
How come the heartaches keep repeating
With every beat my heart is beating
Now can it be that you've been cheating
Cheating on me

Now how come you keep on
Telling me lies
Filling my life with sorrow
Don't know what to expect
From your affection
It's here today and gone tomorrow

Are you sure love, love, love is the name of this game




I want to know
Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game

Overall Meaning

In "Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game," Diana Ross and the Supremes sing about being caught in a game of love that is not so loving. The lyrics describe a situation where the singer feels that her heart is being played with like a toy, while the person she is in love with seems to get pleasure from treating her poorly. She questions whether this behavior is really what love is supposed to be like, asking, "Are you sure love is the name of this game?"


The singer is left feeling confused and hurt by the mixed signals she is receiving from her lover. It seems like they are always playing a game of "hide and seek," with the singer always seeking and her lover always hiding. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the question of whether this behavior is truly love or not. The singer wants to know if "L-O-V-E love is the name of this game," or if it's something else entirely.


Overall, the lyrics of "Are You Sure Love Is the Name of This Game" describe a relationship that is not built on love, but on confusion and pain. The singer wants to know if this is really what love is supposed to be, or if there is something more.


Line by Line Meaning

I'll admit that you've been
I acknowledge that you have been


Playing with my heart
Dealing with my emotions carelessly


Just like it was a toy
Treating my heart as if it has no value


And I've been playing along
I've been complicit in your actions


And letting you treat me wrong
Allowing you to mistreat me


Because it seems to give you joy
Because it brings you pleasure to cause me pain


Are you sure love is the name of this game
Questioning if this relationship is built on love


Are you sure love is the name of this game
Repeating the previous question


For days on end you just stay away
You frequently stay away from me for several days


Waitin' for my heart to weaken
Anticipating my emotions to become more vulnerable


It's like we're playing hide and seek
Our relationship is a game of seeking and avoiding


And I'm the one who's always seeking
I'm always the one searching for you


Are you sure love is the name of this game
Questioning if this is really love


I want to know
Expressing the need for answers


Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game
Questioning the authenticity of love in our relationship


Well if everything's right
If everything is as it should be


And uptight
And things are tense between us


How come the heartaches keep repeating
Why do we keep experiencing emotional pain?


With every beat my heart is beating
I am continually feeling emotional pain


Now can it be that you've been cheating
Could it be that you've been unfaithful?


Cheating on me
Being unfaithful in our relationship


Now how come you keep on
Why do you continue to


Telling me lies
Deceiving me


Filling my life with sorrow
Bringing sadness into my life


Don't know what to expect
I am uncertain about what to anticipate


From your affection
Regarding your love and devotion


It's here today and gone tomorrow
Your love seems to be temporary and inconsistent


Are you sure love, love, love is the name of this game
Repeating the initial question with emphasis on love


I want to know
Expressing the need for answers


Are you sure L-O-V-E love is the name of this game
Repeating the previous question to emphasize the doubts about our relationship




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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