Games People Play
Dolly Parton Lyrics
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Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say now
Never saying what they mean
Oh they whine away the hours
In their ivory towers
Til they're covered up with flowers
La la la mmm da da da
La la la mmm da da dee
I'm talkin' 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Oh they make one another cry
Break their hearts and they say good-bye
Cross their heart and they hope to die
That the other was to blame
Neither one will ever give in
So they gaze at an eight by ten
Thinkin' 'bout the way it might have been
And it's a dirty rotten shame
La la la mmm da da da
La la la mmm da da dee
I'm talkin' 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Oh they teach how to meditate
Read your horoscope and teach you faith
The furthermore the hell with hate
Come on and get on board
Look around and tell me what you see
What's a-happenin' to you and to me
God grant me the serenity
To just remember who I am
La la la mmm da da da
La la la mmm da da dee
I'm talkin' 'bout you and me
And the games people play
In Dolly Parton's song "Games People Play," the lyrics discuss the various games that people play in their daily lives. The song highlights how people are never truly honest and genuine with one another, constantly saying one thing while meaning another. The lyrics describe how people waste their hours in their "ivory towers" until they eventually pass away and are carried away in a black limousine to be laid to rest.
The song goes on to describe how people often hurt each other, causing heartbreak and tears, as they refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. They blame each other for mistakes and refuse to forgive, leading to a never-ending cycle of sadness and regret. The lyrics encourage listeners to recognize the negative impact of these games and seek peace and acceptance instead.
Overall, "Games People Play" is a poignant reminder of the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and acceptance in our daily lives. The lyrics highlight how our actions can have a lasting impact on those around us and how we have the power to change the course of our relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the games people play now
People often engage in deceiving games
Every night and every day now
It's a constant occurrence
Never meaning what they say now
People lie and don't fulfill their promises
Never saying what they mean
People are evasive and indirect in their communication
Oh they whine away the hours
People complain and have a negative attitude
In their ivory towers
People isolate themselves from others
Til they're covered up with flowers
Nothing changes until they die and are buried
In the back of a black limousine
A symbol of luxury and death
I'm talkin' 'bout you and me
Everyone is involved in these games
Oh they make one another cry
People hurt others emotionally
Break their hearts and they say good-bye
People end relationships without a genuine connection
Cross their heart and they hope to die
People swear to tell the truth but often lie
That the other was to blame
People shift the responsibility for their mistakes to others
Neither one will ever give in
People are stubborn and refuse to compromise
So they gaze at an eight by ten
People think about what could have been
Thinkin' 'bout the way it might have been
Regret for missed opportunities
And it's a dirty rotten shame
It's unfortunate and unethical
Oh they teach how to meditate
People pursue spiritual activities
Read your horoscope and teach you faith
People believe in astrology and religion
The furthermore the hell with hate
People prioritize love over hate
Come on and get on board
Join us in this way of life
Look around and tell me what you see
Observe the world and reflect
What's a-happenin' to you and to me
The things that affect us
God grant me the serenity
Prayer for calmness
To just remember who I am
To have self-awareness
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joe South
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shelby Oliver
I love this song and all of Dolly's brilliant masterpeices.
Helena Jackson
Thank you! I haven't heard this one for ages. I do wish RCA would re-release this album on CD along with many others she has made. Thanks again.
SpecklessNougat
Oh thanks so much! It's been ages since I heard Dolly's version of this song! :D
jeanthree
brilliant song writer
SunKing
It's a Joe South song.
Hija del sol
this is a rowdy one. i love it, hail dolly
Keith Farris
I love the way dolly parton sings that song. T.k.f.
Constance Richards
Finally found this song
michael wood
Did she write this? I love the live Wanda Jackson version too.
babes moodley
love the song ..n singer