After starting his own label Prolific Recordings, Cole produced a song called "Sincere" in 1998 with a sampler and an Amiga. One of the twenty test pressings of "Sincere" was received by Pete Tong, who started playing the tune on his national BBC radio 1 show. Cole then signed on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label, where he recorded "Sincere", the album. The Mercury Music Prize nominated (2000) debut won him the accolade of Best Producer from the prestigious Muzik and Mobo magazine awards, sold over 60,000 copies in the UK alone and spawned two outstanding Top 15 singles.
He released a second long player "Cut to the chase" (2003) and he has collaborated on and remixed works by Jill Scott, Tom Jones and Mariah Carey.
Tired Games
MJ Cole Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twilight
It gets darker as we walk your mind
Sharing all the stuff you talk about
Don't you find it kinda hard to keep up
Your cool façade?
Well I know
You play shy but it's your body that says (You want me)
But your mind's too busy playin them games
Them games, baby, games, babe
(Tired, games) Oh your tired games
(Tired, games) Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm
(Tired) Tired, tired
(Tired) Tired, tired
(Tired, games) Tired, games
(Tired, games) Don't play me, don't play me, don't play
I could be your main squeeze, if you'd only be real with me, baby be real with me
Uh
Baby, be
Baby ba-ba-baby be
Well tonight
Is the last time on this merry-go-round
We both know what you've been lookin, you've found
You'd be coy, but the twinkle in your eyes
Another telling sign
Oooh, one on one, babe
You don't have to be a lady tonight
We'll do anything that feels good and right
(You want me, you want me) I know you do
(You want me, you want me) Oh don't don't play
(Tired, games) Oh your tired games
(Tired, games) Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm
(Tired) Tired, tired
(Tired) Tired, tired
(Tired, games) Tired, games
(Tired, games) Don't play me, don't play me, don't play
I could be your main squeeze, if you'd only be real with me, baby be real with me
Uh
Baby, be
Baby ba-ba-baby be
Oh
I'm serious
Serious
Baby don't play
(Tired, games) Tiiiirrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeed
(Tired, games) Games
(Tired) Baby don't play, baby don't play
(Tired)
(Tired, games)
(Tired, games)
Baby don't play, baby don't play, dooooon't
(Tired, games)
(Tired, games)
(Tired) Ooooooooooh, yeah
(Tired) Tired games
(Tired)
(Tired)
(Tired)
Baby don't play, baby don't play, dooooon't
The lyrics of "Tired Games" by MJ Cole featuring Elisabeth Troy revolve around a desire for honesty and openness in a relationship. The beginning of the song describes a person who appears cool and collected on the surface but betrays their true feelings with their body language. The singer urges them to stop playing games and be real with them, to take the risk of showing their true emotions even though it may be difficult. The chorus repeats the phrase "tired games" as a reference to the exhaustion of putting on a front and hiding one's true self.
The second verse continues to emphasize the desire for genuine connection in a relationship. The singer tells their partner that they know what they are really looking for and that they don't need to pretend to be coy or shy. They offer the possibility of exploring what feels good and right, indicating a willingness to be vulnerable and open themselves. The outro repeats the chorus and adds the phrase "baby don't play" as another plea for honesty and genuineness.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tired Games" speak to the importance of honesty and authenticity in relationships. They suggest that playing games and hiding one's true self leads to exhaustion and can prevent true connection and intimacy from forming.
Line by Line Meaning
Twilight
It's getting dark as we walk, and things might be getting confusing.
It gets darker as we walk your mind
As we continue talking about your thoughts, it feels like we're getting deeper and deeper into your psyche.
Sharing all the stuff you talk about
We're having an intimate conversation where you're opening up about your innermost thoughts and feelings.
Don't you find it kinda hard to keep up
It seems like you're putting on a front, and I'm having trouble keeping up with who you really are.
Your cool façade?
You're putting on a calm and collected exterior that might not be truly reflective of how you're feeling on the inside.
Well I know
I can see through the facade and understand what's really going on with you.
I can see it in the depth of your gaze
I can tell what's going on inside your head by looking deeply into your eyes.
You play shy but it's your body that says (You want me)
You're acting coy and reserved, but your body language is giving away the fact that you're interested in me.
But your mind's too busy playin them games
You might be interested in me, but your mind seems to be preoccupied with other things, causing you to play mind games.
Them games, baby, games, babe
You're playing games and messing with my head, and I'm not sure I can keep up with it.
(Tired, games) Oh your tired games
I'm getting tired of playing these mind games with you, and I want you to be more honest and upfront with me.
(Tired, games) Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm
I'm exasperated and frustrated with these games.
(Tired) Tired, tired
I'm feeling worn out and exhausted by all of this.
(Tired, games) Tired, games
I'm sick and tired of these games that you're playing.
(Tired, games) Don't play me, don't play me, don't play
I'm tired of being messed with and toyed around with, and I want you to stop.
I could be your main squeeze, if you'd only be real with me, baby be real with me
If you could be more honest with me and stop playing games, we could have a real relationship and be together.
Well tonight
This is a critical moment for us, and what happens next will have a big impact on our relationship.
Is the last time on this merry-go-round
This is our last chance to break this cycle of mind games and dishonesty, and truly connect with each other.
We both know what you've been lookin, you've found
We both know that there's something real between us, and this is the moment to explore that connection further.
You'd be coy, but the twinkle in your eyes
Even though you're still acting reserved, there's a hint of something deeper in your eyes that tells me you're interested.
Another telling sign
Your behavior and the way you're acting are revealing more about your true feelings than you might realize.
Oooh, one on one, babe
This is our chance to be alone together and really get to know each other on a deeper level.
You don't have to be a lady tonight
We can do away with societal expectations and just be ourselves in this moment of intimacy.
We'll do anything that feels good and right
We're free to explore and experiment in this moment of intimacy, as long as it feels right and comfortable for both of us.
(You want me, you want me) I know you do
I can tell that you're interested in me, even if you're still a little bit shy and reserved about it.
(You want me, you want me) Oh don't don't play
Stop playing games and just be honest with me about your feelings.
(Tired, games) Titiirrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeed
I'm so tired of these games that you're playing.
(Tired, games) Games
These mind games are getting in the way of us developing a genuine connection and relationship.
(Tired) Baby don't play, baby don't play
I'm pleading with you to stop playing these games and be honest with me.
(Tired) Ooooooooooh, yeah
I'm feeling exasperated and frustrated with this situation.
(Tired) Tired games
These games are wearing me down and making me feel weary and disheartened.
(Tired) Baby don't play, baby don't play, dooooon't
I'm begging you to stop playing games and just be honest with me so we can develop a real relationship.
Writer(s): Elisabeth Troy Antwi, Matthew Coleman
Contributed by Nicholas T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Richard Corcoran
Love this track and the album takes me back to happier times
suraj punjabi
This a personal favorite. I say personal cuz there is no way I am gonna listen to this song in public. The music is just...too....unique? You will either love it or u will either hate this. There is no middle ground here.
Take Me Back: Pirate Radio Archives
Love this tune!! To haters go check yourself!! This one is epic!!
Cyrus Stewart
love this track its the track for relationships
Myles C
massive tune
Joeridge Ross
Strong cosmopolitan vibes. I love to think about this song while commuting downtown.
Carlos Dyer
Woah who ah, play dem game yah!!!
jacquoi
I have no idea :-D
Cory Danrich
NEGATIVE!
Niko Handzup
Sampled on Tracy chapman fast car's ?