The Joe Perry Project was essentially Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's solo … Read Full Bio ↴The Joe Perry Project was essentially Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry's solo project, which Perry started working on shortly before his departure from Aerosmith in 1979. Perry signed a record deal almost immediately after his exit from the band with Aerosmith's label, Columbia Records, who were disappointed with the chaos in the Aerosmith camp and hoping to maneuver Perry back into Aerosmith.
The original band line-up consisted of Perry, singer Ralph Morman, bassist David Hull and drummer Ronnie Stewart. This line-up recorded The Project's 1980 debut album, Let the Music Do the Talking, which was produced by long-time Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas. The album was fairly well received and sold a respectable 250,000 copies in the US.
During the tour in support of the album, Morman was fired and replaced by Joey Mala, who lasted until the end of the tour, when he in turn was replaced by singer and rhythm guitarist Charlie Farren. This line-up recorded one album, I've Got the Rock'n'Rolls Again, which was released to little attention in 1981. Columbia's reluctance to promote the album combined with Perry's continuing drug problems led to Perry's firing the entire band in 1982.
Equipped with a new record label (MCA Records) and three new band members in singer Cowboy Mach Bell, bassist Danny Hargrove and drummer Joe Pet, the band released Once a Rocker, Always a Rocker in 1983. The album met the same fate as its predecessor, selling a meager 40,000 copies without any promotion whatsoever. Despite the poor sales, The Project went out on a final tour in support of the album, adding then ex-Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford to the line-up. The following year, both Perry and Whitford would rejoin Aerosmith for a very successful reunion, at which point The Project had been disbanded.
A compilation album, The Best of the Joe Perry Project, was released by an Australian Indie Record label in 1999.

Play the Game
Joe Perry Project Lyrics

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Oh, oh
Oh, oh

Comedy, tragedy
Don't you know there's been a change in me?
I don't think I'll ever be the same

Parody, sanity

I've been wondering what it means to me
I don't really wanna play the game

Play the game
Play the game
Play the game
Oh, oh

Robbery, snobbery
Looks like someone's got the best of me, oh no
I don't really think you are to blame

All my life, my memory daunts me
All my misery comes back to haunt me
All my innocence is now beyond me
I just can't seem to make it
What is it going to take to play the game?

Play the game
Play the game, oh
Play the game
Play the game
Play the game, oh

Oh, oh

Oh, oh
Play the game

Overall Meaning

The song "Play the Game" by Joe Perry Project is a reflection of the changes that Perry has gone through over the years in the music industry. The lyrics suggest that Perry has experienced both the highs and lows of his career, represented by the juxtaposition of comedy and tragedy. He feels that he has been robbed of something and his memory of the past haunts him. He questions what it takes to make it in the industry, expressing a desire to not want to play the game anymore.

The lyrics also touch on the themes of parody and sanity, representing the contrast between the artistic vision of a musician and the commercialization of their work by the industry. Perry has grown tired of the expectations of the music industry and the sense that he is unable to express his true artistry. The repeated refrain of "Play the game" emphasizes this fatigue and reluctance to conform to industry standards.

Overall, "Play the Game" is a song about the inner turmoil and struggles that musicians face in the industry. Perry's personal experiences are reflected in the lyrics and the song serves as a commentary on the commercialization of music.

Line by Line Meaning

Comedy, tragedy
The contrasting elements of life - joy and sorrow

Don't you know there's been a change in me?
I have transformed within myself

I don't think I'll ever be the same
I will never be the person I once was

Parody, sanity
The ridiculousness and rationality of life

I've been wondering what it means to me
I have been thinking about what truly matters in my life

I don't really wanna play the game
I don't want to conform to societal expectations

Play the game
The constant pressure to conform and play along

Robbery, snobbery
The feeling of being robbed and looked down upon

Looks like someone's got the best of me, oh no
I feel like someone has taken advantage of me

All my life, my memory daunts me
My memories continually haunt me throughout my life

All my misery comes back to haunt me
My past sorrows keep recurring in my life