The Name Of The Game
James Last And His Orchestra Lyrics


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I've seen you twice, in a short time
Only a week since we started
It seems to me, for every time
I'm getting more open-hearted

I was an impossible case
No-one ever could reach me
But I think I can see in your face
There's a lot you can teach me
So I wanna know

What's the name of the game?
Does it mean anything to you?
What's the name of the game?
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please, 'cause I have to know
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow

And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know

The name of the game

I have no friends, no-one to see
And I am never invited
Now I am here, talking to you
No wonder I get excited

Your smile, and the sound of your voice
And the way you see through me
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
But it means a lot to me
So I wanna know

What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Does it mean anything to you? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please, 'cause I have to know
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow

And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know
Oh yes I wanna know

The name of the game (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (I was an impossible case)




Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James Last's "The Name Of The Game" suggest the story of a person who has remained a loner all their life and has never easily opened up to anyone. The singer seems to have met someone special and feels comfortable enough to share their feelings with that special someone. The singer acknowledges their own shortcomings and admits that they are growing and evolving with this new person's help. The lyrics are asking this new person about the nature of their connection, and what it means to them, and if they feel the same way. There is an underlying fear that the other person might not reciprocate these feelings, and the singer wonders if they will be rejected or laughed at.


The simplicity of the lyrics effectively conveys the sense of vulnerability and anticipation experienced by someone who has never allowed themselves to get close to another person. The song is a testament to the fact that deep and meaningful connections can be established without any complicated words or actions, and that truly opening up to someone can be a liberating and life-changing experience.


Line by Line Meaning

I've seen you twice, in a short time
It has only been a week since we met each other and had two interactions


It seems to me, for every time
For each interaction, I feel more open and vulnerable


I'm getting more open-hearted
I am becoming more open and vulnerable with you as we have more interactions


I was an impossible case
I used to be someone who nobody could connect with


No-one ever could reach me
No one was ever able to understand or connect with me


But I think I can see in your face
However, I can see in your face that you are different


There's a lot you can teach me
I believe there is a lot I can learn from you


What's the name of the game?
What do you call this thing we have between us?


Does it mean anything to you?
Is it important to you as well?


Can you feel it the way I do?
Do you feel the same way about me as I do about you?


Tell me please, 'cause I have to know
I'm curious and want to know the truth


I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow
I'm inexperienced in this realm, but I'm willing to learn


And you make me talk
I feel comfortable enough with you to talk openly


And you make me feel
You make me feel a way I've never felt before


And you make me show
You make me reveal things about myself that I usually keep hidden


If I trust in you, would you let me down?
If I share my vulnerabilities with you, will you let me down?


Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
If I expressed my care for you, would you ridicule me?


Could you feel the same way too?
Do you share the same feelings for me?


Oh yes I wanna know
I am eager to find out




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K Ulvaeus, Stig Erik Leopold Anderson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

minerva ruiz

Grandes recuerdos, gracias por rescatar a grandes directores de orquesta

Jaro

This is an absolutely great James Last song! What I like most, are the drum fills during the first seventy seconds of the song :-)

Gary Grant

This was one of my first james Last records and still one of my favorits I will play his music till I die what a great man.

George Leggett

THIS WAS MY FIRST JAMES LAST RECORDING ON A NEW STEREO SYSTEM SOUNDED GREAT IN A LIVING ROOM 17 X 35 JUST LIKE BEING AT A CONCERT. BOUGHT ABOUT 35 MORE RECORDINGS POLYDOR DID OK BY ME.

Tony Ashmore

One of my late dad's favourite James last tunes, I can still see him sitting in the corner of the room at Elizabeth Road tapping his hands, always telling me how good James last was alas he's gone now, and now I appreciate what he was saying to me. Where ever you are dad I hope you can still hear your James last tracks

anne king

This was one of my late dad’s favourites as well. He passed away in 2001. Will always miss him

Gaby Kapps Composer Maria Gabriella Cappelletti

Yes. My dad loved James Last too. He died last November of covid.

anne king

@Gaby Kapps Composer Maria Gabriella Cappelletti so sorry to hear that. Thinking of you

Tony Ashmore

Strange how music takes you back to happier times every time I hear James last I always think of my dad, I picture him sitting there tapping away, where ever you are dad I hope your still listening to him miss you so much

anne king

@Tony Ashmore I know exactly how you feel. My brothers and me inherited all of dad’s James Last LPs. The lonely Shepherd is another lovely song. Dad loved all of his music

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