Love Game
Eminem & Kendrick Lamar Lyrics

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Something's burning, I can't figure out what (out what)
It's either lust or a cloud of dust, judgement is clouded
Must just be the powder from the power of (love)
But I'm in something I don't know how to get out of
Left my girl in the house alone
Is that my soon-to-be-spouse's moan?
And the further I walk, the louder
Pause for a minute to make certain that's what I heard

'Cause after all, this is her place
So I give her the benefit of the doubt, I
Think I might be about to bust her, bust her
The thought's scary, yo, though and it hurts, brace
Hope it ain't, "Here we go, yo"
'Cause my head already goes to worst case scenario
Though in the first place (ah, fuck)
But you confirmed my low-end theory, though
Should've known when I made it all the way to third base
And that was only the first date, could've made it to home plate
But you slid straight for the dome and dove face first
"No you don't understand, I don't do this for anyone, ever"
Yeah, that ain't what they all say? I'll say
You can suck a softball through a straw, used to be my fiancé
'Til you sucked on Wayne, André, and Kanye
Lebron, Akon, Jay, Lil Jon, Raekwon, Ma$e
Polow da Don, Dre, Dante Ross, James Conway, Kwamé
Guess I'm gettin' my g-goddang Jigga on, eh?
'Cause your name, I'm beyond sayin'
But fuck it, I'm movin' on, you women are all cray
But I'll probably always keep on playin'

The game of love (love), love (love)
La-la-la-la-la love

She doesn't love me, no, she don't love me no more
She hates my company, guess, she don't love me no more
I tried to get her up out of my head, left my bags at the door
She screamed she loved me like she never did before
And I told her (go where you wanna
Go do whatcha want to do, I don't care)
And I told her (go where you wanna
Go do whatcha want to do, I don't care)

I told that bitch
"I'm a sucker for love, you a sucker for dick"
Sucking dick in your momma tub, then your granny walked in
Told the stupid nigga to duck under the water, he drowned like an abortion
They booked you for manslaughter, you beat the case and I called ya
"Sherane is not available, now leave a message at the tone
And Kendrick, don't forget to buy two pair of those expensive heels
You little fucking Ferris Wheel, fucking spinning on me?
Fuck you think? We gon' get married still?
Fucking Mary had a little lamb, this ain't a fairy tale
Fairy godmomma better tell you how I fucking feel
Like you should fuckin' beat it or fucking eat it while I'm on my period
Now have a blessed day"
Bitch, you serious?
I'm in the mirror with this look on my face, curious
Why you ain't fucking with me? You cut me deep as Caesarean
You know I want you bad as a Benjamin, I'm delirious
I want you bad as the head shattered on George Zimmerman
After the Dillinger hit him diligently and killing him
His mouthpiece for a Cadillac emblem
That's analogy and metaphor for you
I should win a medal for all the ways I adore you
This is me talking cordial, yeah, I got some home trainin'
That ain't what you like, ain't it?
What about if I was as famous as Marshall?
Would you give fellatio in the carpool?
Cops pull us over, they just wanna know if you gargle
Singing, "I hope she's good enough
Meanwhile you're chasing her"
Chlamydia couldn't even get rid of her
Pity the fool and pity the fool in me, I'ma live with the

Game of love (love), love (love)
La-la-la-la-la love

She doesn't love me, no, she don't love me no more
She hates my company, guess, she don't love me no more
I tried to get her up out of my head, left my bags at the door
She screamed she loved me like she never did before
And I told her (go where you wanna
Go do whatcha want to do, I don't care)
And I told her (go where you wanna
Go do whatcha want to do, I don't care)

So needless to say I'm feelin' betrayed
Snatch my house key off her key chain
She jumps off Wee-Bey from The Wire's dick
Now she's chasing me with a cheese grater
Here goes that broken record, cliché, it's all my fault anyway
She's turning the tables, I'm a beat-break
She treats my face like Serato, she cuts and scratches like a DJ
Each day is an instant replay
They say what we display is symptomatic of addict behavior
Back together but forgot today was her B-day
She cut me off on the freeway, simple misunderstanding
But just as I went to slam on the brakes
That's when I realized that she may be as crazy as me, wait
Bitch cut my fucking brake line, stepped on them fuckers eight times
Still goin' seventy-three, thank God there's an exit coming up
What the mother F-U-C-K's wrong with her?
Hit the off ramp 'til I coasted to a goshdamn halt
Hit a fucking tree, now here she comes at full speed
She's racing at me, okay, you wanna fuck with me, eh?
Snatch the bitch out her car through the window
She screamin', I body slam her on the cement
Until the concrete gave and created a sinkhole
Buried the stink ho in it, then pay to have the street repaved
(The fuck?) Woke up in a dream state, in a cold sweat
Like I got hit with a freeze ray during a heat wave
Guess I eventually caved though, 'cause she's laying next to me in bed
Directly aiming a gat at my head, woke up again and jumped up like
"Fuck it, I've had it, I'm checking into rehab"
I confess I'm a static addict, I guess that's why I'm so clingy
Every girl I've ever had either says I got too much baggage
Or I'm too fucking dramatic
Man, what the fuck is the matter? I'm just a fucking romantic
I fucking love you, you fucking bitch
Combative, possessive, in fact last time I was mad at an ex
I actually set off a chain reaction of tragic events
I said, "Hit the road" and after she left, I sent that bitch a text
I said, "Be careful driving, don't read this and have an accident"
She glanced to look at it and wrecked
Too bad, thought we had a connect, no sense dwelling makes
Never been a more compelling case
Than the model covered in L'Oreal and mace
Who fell from grace eleven stories for storytelling
While the whore was yelling, "Rape" 'til her vocal cords were swelling
And her voice were more hoarser than Tori Spelling's face
Still they swarm the gates and my fancy estates
To greet Norman Bates with a warm embrace
'Less you're Andrea Yates, don't ask me for a date, though
You're late, well, the sentiment's great
But wait, think there's been a mistake
You wanted an intimate date, I wanna intimidate
I have infinite hate in my blood, it's mainly because of the game of
Wait, dinner at eight?
I have infinite hate in my blood, it's mainly 'cause of the

Game of love (love), love (love)
La-la-la-la-la love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Love Game," a collaboration between Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, tell a story of love, lust, betrayal, and obsession. The song begins with Eminem's confusion over whether what he's feeling is lust or love. He becomes suspicious that his girl is cheating on him, but when he confronts her, she tells him that he's just being paranoid. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that both Eminem and Kendrick's relationships are characterized by dysfunction and possessiveness. The two rappers end up in rehab, reflecting on their addiction to love and their struggles with jealousy, anger and violence.

"Love Game" explores the darker side of romantic relationships and the emotional turmoil that can result from uncontrolled, obsessive feelings. Eminem and Kendrick Lamar's lyrics are brutally honest, exposing the insecurities and vulnerabilities that often lie behind the façade of machismo and bravado. The song is a commentary on the toxic nature of certain types of love and how it can lead to destructive behavior.

Overall, "Love Game" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and relationships. Eminem and Kendrick Lamar's verses are packed with raw emotion and vivid imagery, painting a picture of love that is both beautiful and terrifying.

Line by Line Meaning

Something's burning, I can't figure out what
There is a feeling of uncertainty and confusion about the current situation

It's either lust or a cloud of dust, judgement is clouded
The intensity of emotions has made it difficult to make clear judgments

Must just be the powder from the power of (love)
The strong emotions of love may be clouding rational thinking

But I'm in something I don't know how to get out of
Feeling trapped in a situation without knowing how to escape

Left my girl in the house alone
Leaving the partner alone at home

Is that my soon-to-be-spouse's moan?
Doubting if the moan heard belongs to the future spouse

And the further I walk, the louder
As I distance myself, the sound becomes clearer

Pause for a minute to make certain that's what I heard
Taking a moment to confirm what was heard

'Cause after all, this is her place
Considering the possibility that the sound originated from her home

So I give her the benefit of the doubt, I
Choosing to trust her and assume innocence

Think I might be about to bust her, bust her
Sensing that she may be unfaithful

The thought's scary, yo, though and it hurts, brace
Feeling scared and hurt by the possibility of betrayal

Hope it ain't, "Here we go, yo"
Wishing that the worst-case scenario is not happening

'Cause my head already goes to worst case scenario
Immediately thinking of the worst outcome

Though in the first place (ah, fuck)
Realizing that the suspicions were actually valid

But you confirmed my low-end theory, though
Your actions validated my suspicions

Should've known when I made it all the way to third base
Realizing the intimacy shared earlier in the relationship

And that was only the first date, could've made it to home plate
Reflecting on the potential for a deeper connection

But you slid straight for the dome and dove face first
Choosing physical pleasure over emotional connection

"No you don't understand, I don't do this for anyone, ever"
Claiming to be unique and not engaging in such actions

Yeah, that ain't what they all say? I'll say
Expressing doubt in the authenticity of the claim

You can suck a softball through a straw, used to be my fiancé
Insulting and demeaning the person who used to be in a committed relationship

'Til you sucked on Wayne, André, and Kanye
Referring to the infidelity with different individuals

Lebron, Akon, Jay, Lil Jon, Raekwon, Ma$e
Listing more names associated with the betrayal

Polow da Don, Dre, Dante Ross, James Conway, Kwamé
Adding to the list of individuals involved in the infidelity

Guess I'm gettin' my g-goddang Jigga on, eh?
Emulating the behavior of Jay-Z, known as Jigga

'Cause your name, I'm beyond sayin'
Choosing not to mention the person's name

But fuck it, I'm movin' on, you women are all cray
Deciding to move forward and considering all women to be crazy

But I'll probably always keep on playin'
Despite the hurt, continuing to engage in relationships and games of love

She doesn't love me, no, she don't love me no more
Realizing that the person no longer has feelings of love

She hates my company, guess, she don't love me no more
Feeling disliked and unwanted by the person

I tried to get her up out of my head, left my bags at the door
Attempting to forget about her and leave behind the memories

She screamed she loved me like she never did before
Expressing love passionately in a loud manner

And I told her (go where you wanna Go do whatcha want to do, I don't care)
Giving the person freedom to do as she pleases, expressing indifference

I told that bitch "I'm a sucker for love, you a sucker for dick"
Insulting the person and implying that she is sexually promiscuous

Sucking dick in your momma tub, then your granny walked in
Describing a sexual encounter in a disrespectful manner

Told the stupid nigga to duck under the water, he drowned like an abortion
Narrating a disturbing event where someone drowns

They booked you for manslaughter, you beat the case and I called ya
Referring to legal trouble and reaching out to the person

"Sherane is not available, now leave a message at the tone
Mocking the person by pretending to be someone else and rejecting their call

And Kendrick, don't forget to buy two pair of those expensive heels
Sending a message to Kendrick, reminding him to buy expensive shoes

You little fucking Ferris Wheel, fucking spinning on me?
Insulting Kendrick, comparing him to a Ferris Wheel spinning out of control

Fuck you think? We gon' get married still?
Questioning the possibility of a future marriage

Fucking Mary had a little lamb, this ain't a fairy tale
Rejecting the idea of a fairy tale romance

Fairy godmomma better tell you how I fucking feel
Expressing the need for honesty and openness

Like you should fuckin' beat it or fucking eat it while I'm on my period
Using vulgar language to suggest leaving or engaging in sexual acts during menstruation

Now have a blessed day"
Ending the conversation sarcastically

Bitch, you serious?
Expressing disbelief and frustration

I'm in the mirror with this look on my face, curious
Examining oneself in the mirror with a curious expression

Why you ain't fucking with me? You cut me deep as Caesarean
Questioning why the person is no longer interested, feeling hurt like a deep cut

You know I want you bad as a Benjamin, I'm delirious
Expressing strong desire and feeling somewhat disoriented

I want you bad as the head shattered on George Zimmerman
Describing the intensity of desire, referencing a controversial event

After the Dillinger hit him diligently and killing him
Narrating a violent act and its outcome

His mouthpiece for a Cadillac emblem
Using a metaphor to describe the consequences faced

That's analogy and metaphor for you
Explaining the use of figures of speech in the lyrics

I should win a medal for all the ways I adore you
Expressing devotion and suggesting deserving of recognition

This is me talking cordial, yeah, I got some home trainin'
Maintaining a polite tone, noting upbringing

That ain't what you like, ain't it?
Acknowledging that the person does not appreciate the politeness

What about if I was as famous as Marshall?
Hypothetically questioning the person's interest if the artist had fame

Would you give fellatio in the carpool?
Asking if oral sex would be given in a carpool situation

Cops pull us over, they just wanna know if you gargle
Suggesting that the police would inquire about oral hygiene

Singing, "I hope she's good enough
Saying that she should be enough for him

Meanwhile you're chasing her"
Realizing that she is seeking the attention of another person

Chlamydia couldn't even get rid of her
Making a crude joke about sexually transmitted infections

Pity the fool and pity the fool in me, I'ma live with the
Feeling sorry for oneself and accepting the consequences