Playing for Keeps
Matchbook Romance / Motion City Soundtrack Lyrics


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It's so simple
And complicated.
The way you can crush me.
No matter how much this hurts,
This is through.
I get as far as your door
Before i get caught.
I make up excuses
Just to touch you and I can't stop
I can't stop.

So are we playing for keeps?
The days begin and they don't end for weeks.
Leave me left out
Of anything to do with you.
Excuse me while I fall apart.
Don't flatter yourself sweetheart.
Let me take the wheel
And I'll crash this car.
Do you have to make this so hard?

You're so good at pretending everything is alright.
You're as welcome as cancer
But my door is always unlocked.

So are we playing for keeps?
The days begin and they don't end for weeks.
Leave me left out
Of anything to do with you.
Excuse me while I fall apart.
Don't flatter yourself sweetheart.
Let me take the wheel




And I'll crash this car.
Do you have to make this so hard?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Matchbook Romance's song "Playing for Keeps" are a poignant depiction of a complicated love. It seems like the singer has an intense attraction towards someone who can easily crush them. The bond between them is both simple and complicated, which makes it hard for the singer to walk away from the relationship even though it causes them pain.


The singer's desire is so strong that they make up excuses just to get closer to their love interest. They feel powerless and unable to stop themselves from reaching out to them, even if it means getting caught. The lyrics "So are we playing for keeps? The days begin and they don't end for weeks" underline the singer's confusion about the direction their relationship is headed. They are unsure if their love interest is just in it for the thrill or if it is something more meaningful, and this thought seems to torment them.


The lyrics further hint towards a sense of resentment and betrayal towards their lover's attitude. The line "You're so good at pretending everything is alright" implies that their lover is hiding their true feelings and the singer is left feeling isolated and neglected. However, despite everything, the singer is still willing to keep their door open for their love interest. The song ends with the line "Do you have to make this so hard?"- a plea to their lover to at least be honest with them.


Line by Line Meaning

It's so simple
My feelings towards you should be straightforward and easy, yet they are intricate and puzzling.


And complicated.
The relationship between us is difficult and challenging, even though it should be effortless.


The way you can crush me.
You have the power to completely overwhelm and break my heart.


No matter how much this hurts,
Despite the pain and suffering I experience in this relationship,


This is through.
it is time for me to move on and leave this behind.


I get as far as your door
I attempt to distance myself from you, but end up back at your doorstep.


Before I get caught.
I am afraid of the repercussions of my actions, but cannot resist the temptation to be near you.


I make up excuses
I come up with reasons to justify my desire to be close to you,


Just to touch you and I can't stop
even though I know it is not the right thing to do, I cannot resist the urge to touch you.


I can't stop.
My feelings for you are too strong and overpowering to resist.


So are we playing for keeps?
Do our actions and emotions toward each other mean that we are in this relationship for the long haul?


The days begin and they don't end for weeks.
Time seems to pass slowly and everyday drags on as I try to navigate this difficult relationship.


Leave me left out
You exclude me from your life and I feel left out and isolated.


Of anything to do with you.
I am no longer part of your life and you have moved on without me.


Excuse me while I fall apart.
I am emotionally breaking down and struggling to deal with the heartache of this relationship.


Don't flatter yourself sweetheart.
You are not the reason or worth the emotional pain that i am undergoing.


Let me take the wheel
I want to be in control of this relationship and make the decisions for myself.


And I'll crash this car.
If you are not willing to let me be in control, the relationship will likely end in disaster.


Do you have to make this so hard?
I am struggling to make this relationship work, but it feels like you are not making any effort to help.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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