He had met and was encouraged by Bill Lowery, an Atlanta music publisher and radio personality. He began his recording career in Atlanta with National Recording Corporation, where he served as staff guitarist along with other NRC artists Ray Stevens and Jerry Reed. South's earliest recordings have been re-released by NRC on CD.
South's compositions have been recorded by many artists. They include Billy Joe Royal's hits "Down in the Boondocks" and "Hush" (later a hit for Deep Purple and Kula Shaker), the Osmonds' hit "Yo-Yo," and Elvis Presley's Las Vegas-era version of "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", also recorded by Bryan Ferry and Coldcut. South's most commercially successful composition is Lynn Anderson's 1971 country/pop monster hit "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden", which was a hit in 16 countries worldwide. Lynn Anderson won a Grammy Award for her vocals and South won a Grammy Award for writing the song. South would go on to write more hits for Anderson such as, "How Can I Unlove You" (Billboard #1) and "Fool Me" (Billboard #3).
South was also a prominent sideman, recording the memorable guitar part on Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools", Tommy Roe's "Sheila" as well as appearing on Bob Dylan's album Blonde on Blonde. He also played the electric guitar part that was added to Simon & Garfunkel's first hit, "The Sound of Silence".
The suicide of his brother, Tommy, drove South into a deep depression.[citation needed] Tommy had been his backing band's drummer and accompanied South not only in live performances, but also on recording sessions when South produced hits for other artists, including Billy Joe Royal, Sandy Posey, and Friend & Lover.
South was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1979.
In 1988 Dutch DJ, Jan Donkers, interviewed South for VPRO-radio. The radio show that aired the interview also played four new songs by South, but a new record was not released.
In 1994 South played several concerts in England.
On 13 September 2003 South was inducted into Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and played together with Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb and Chips Moman at the induction ceremony.
Games People Play
Joe South Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La-da da da da da de
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da da da
Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say now
And they wile away the hours
In their ivory towers
Till they're covered up with flowers
In the back of a black limousine whoa
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Oh we make one another cry
Break a heart then we say goodbye
Cross our hearts and we hope to die
That the other was to blame whoa
Neither one will give in
So we gaze at our eight by ten
Thinking 'bout the things that might have been
And it's a dirty rotten shame whoa
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play now
Oh yeah
All right
Oh yeah
Come on
Oh
Come again
People walking up to ya
Singing glory Hallelujah
And they're tryin' to sock it to you
In the name of the Lord
They're gonna teach you how to meditate
Read your horoscope, cheat your fate
And further more to hell with hate
Come on and get on board whoah
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Now wait a minute
Look around tell me what you see
What's happening to you and me
God grant me the serenity
To just remember who I am whoah
'Cause you've given up your sanity
For your pride and your vanity
Turn your back on humanity
Oh and you don't give a da da da da da
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
I keep talking 'bout you and me baby
And the games people play now lala
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
I keep talking 'bout you and me
Oh and the games people play
I wonder can you come now, play
Talking 'bout you and me oh
And the games people play now
Joe South's hit "Games People Play" is a song that delves into the darker side of human relations. The composer notes that people everywhere are playing games; they lie, cheat, and hurt others without any regard for the consequences. The song's message is best summarized in the line "Never meaning what they say now, never saying what they mean." The song's lyrics examine how people behave and the impacts of manipulation, dishonesty, and betrayal.
South makes it clear that the game-playing is a two-way street. Every man and woman is guilty of breaking each other's heart, and it's getting worse day by day. The lyrics highlight how people dwell in their ivory towers, pretending to be something they're not. Relationships are built on lies and deception, and the hope of true love is fleeting. The musical composition is upbeat, with easy-to-sing-along-to lyrics, creating a paradox of cheerful tune and cynicism in its message.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh the games people play now
The deceptive and manipulative actions people engage in
Every night and every day now
These actions are constant, regardless of time or setting
Never meaning what they say now
Words are often used insincerely
Never saying what they mean
True intentions are often concealed
And they wile away the hours
Time is wasted
In their ivory towers
In a privileged, isolated position
Till they're covered up with flowers
Until they pass away
In the back of a black limousine whoa
Indicating a final farewell
Oh we make one another cry
Causing emotional harm to one another
Break a heart then we say goodbye
Ending a relationship after damaging it
Cross our hearts and we hope to die
Making a promise that might not be kept
That the other was to blame whoa
Shifting blame onto the other person
Neither one will give in
Both are stubborn
So we gaze at our eight by ten
Reflecting on a picture of a better past
Thinking 'bout the things that might have been
Pondering missed opportunities
And it's a dirty rotten shame whoa
Expressing regret and disappointment
People walking up to ya
Individuals approaching you
Singing glory Hallelujah
Praising joyously
And they're tryin' to sock it to you
Attempting to deceive or cheat you
In the name of the Lord
Using religion or faith as justification
They're gonna teach you how to meditate
Offering to show you how to relieve stress or find inner peace
Read your horoscope, cheat your fate
Promising knowledge of the future or a way to avoid negative outcomes
And further more to hell with hate
Encouraging a lack of animosity
Come on and get on board whoah
Persuading to join their cause or movement
Look around tell me what you see
Observing the current state of society
What's happening to you and me
Recognizing the changes and issues affecting individuals
God grant me the serenity
Requesting peace of mind
To just remember who I am whoah
Not losing perspective of one's identity or values
'Cause you've given up your sanity
Sacrificing mental stability
For your pride and your vanity
For the sake of arrogance and self-importance
Turn your back on humanity
Disregarding the well-being of others
Oh and you don't give a da da da da da
Indifference to the struggles of others
I keep talking 'bout you and me baby
Continuing the discussion of individuals and relationships
And the games people play now lala
Reiterating the theme of deception and manipulation
I wonder can you come now, play
Challenging the listener to prove that they aren't engaging in such games
Talking 'bout you and me oh
Refocusing attention on personal behavior
And the games people play now
Repeating the main message of the song
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joe South
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DexterHaven
Yeah, now that my girlfriend is gone and I look at her 8x 10, this part really rang true:
"we make one another cry
Break a heart then we say goodbye
Cross our hearts and we hope to die
That the other was to blame
But neither one will ever give in
So we gaze at an 8 x 10
Thinkin' 'bout the things that might have been
And it's a dirty rotten shame"
No wonder it won song of the year, in a very competitive time.
As for being underrated in the music biz, he knew he was never promised a rose garden.
@AL-grhvc
Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say now
Never saying what they mean
And they wile away the hours
In their ivory towers
Till they're covered up with flowers
In the back of a black limousine whoa
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Oh we make one another cry
Break a heart then we say goodbye
Cross our hearts and we hope to die
That the other was to blame whoa
Neither one will give in
So we gaze at our eight by ten
Thinking 'bout the things that might have been
And it's a dirty rotten shame whoa
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play now
Oh yeah
All right
Oh yeah
Come on
Oh
Come again
People walking up to ya
Singing glory Hallelujah
And they're tryin' to sock it to you
In the name of the Lord
They're gonna teach you how to meditate
Read your horoscope, cheat your fate
And further more to hell with hate
Come on and get on board whoah
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Now wait a minute
Look around tell me what you see
What's happening to you and me
God grant me the serenity
To just remember who I am whoah
'Cause you've given up your sanity
For your pride and your vanity
Turn your back on humanity
I keep talking 'bout you and me baby
And the games people play now lala
La-da da da da da da da
La-da da da da da de
I keep talking 'bout you and me
Oh and the games people play
I wonder can you come now, play
Talking 'bout you and me oh
And the games people play now
@user-tv9ex4zx2n
Who's listening to this song in 2024
@patgriffiths3948
Old songs never die ….love this song 🎼🎼
@MarcDemmon-po1ow
My brother is
@ramonaatkins3387
Me, love this era and time of my life.
@ryanwilson949
I am discovering it in 2024…
@malcolmgullam8348
Me
@hughwright1860
If you are listening to or watching this in 1/2023 you are a legend.
@claudiarobinson8347
Actually in 2024, I cannot listen this song one time, I have to keep playing it over and over over. Very powerful.
@fonzarelly3154
How about 3/03/24
@debrabanckaert1789
Love the simplicity of this meaningful song that is as relevant now in 2024 as it was in 1969! God Bless Us All 🙏🏻🎵🎤❤️✌🏻