Play Something Sweet
Dog Night Lyrics

Well, I tried to run my game
I attempted to play music for my audience

She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
The listener has already heard this type of music before and is tired of it

And I'm too tired to go for your show (again and again)
The listener does not want to hear the same type of music repeatedly

And she started to explain
The listener began to provide a rationale for why she did not enjoy the music

She said "Man, I ain't saying what you're playing just can't make it But I just can't take it anymore"
The listener acknowledges that the music is not necessarily bad, but simply not to her taste

Play something sweet, play something mellow
The listener asks the musician to play a softer, more relaxing type of music

Play something I can sink my teeth in like Jello
The listener wants a more appealing and satisfying type of music

Play something I can understand
The listener wants music that is comprehensible and not too complex

Play me some Brickyard Blues
The listener requests a specific song or style of music

Play something sweet and make it funky
The listener wants a smooth and groovy type of music

Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
The listener wants to relax and enjoy the music

It's enough to make it light in the dark
The music has the ability to brighten someone's mood

It's enough to make a bite just a bark
The music can transform someone's attitude or behavior

It's enough to make a body move around
The music has a strong beat that makes someone want to dance or move

It's enough to make a rabbit hug a dog
The music has a positive and unifying impact on different types of people - even those who would not usually get along well

Well, I started to sweat
The musician is becoming anxious or nervous about the listener's reaction to his music

She said "Don't get upset 'cause you just might break a string And that won't do a thing for your show
The listener assures the musician that getting upset or overly nervous will not improve the quality of the music or the audience's reaction to it

So I said to myself I said "Self, do you see what is sailing through my soul?" And I gotta have some more, don't ya know
The musician is reflecting on his own connection with music and how it affects his soul