Games People Play
Mel Tormé Lyrics

La di da da da dd
The opening line of the song, repeated for effect and without any particular meaning.

La di da di di
Another meaningless repetition of sounds, used to create a catchy rhythm.

La da da da da di di
Yet another repetition of sounds, serving the same purpose as the previous lines.

La di da da di di
The last repetition of sounds before the lyrics begin, again without any specific meaning.

Oh the games people play now
The song's thesis: people engage in games, or behaviors, that are often insincere or manipulative.

Every night and every day now
These games are happening all the time, without pause or respite.

Never meaning what they say now
People often say things they don't mean, particularly in the context of these games.

Never saying what they mean
Conversely, people don't say what they truly mean, instead opting for ambiguous or deceptive language.

While they while away the hours
People spend a lot of time engaged in these games, often aimlessly.

In their ivory towers
These people are often in positions of power, isolated from the consequences of their actions.

Till they're covered up with flowers
Their games eventually catch up to them, leading to failure or even death.

In the back of a black limousine
Death is but another part of the game, and for those in power, it often comes in a flashy and extravagant manner.

Though we make one another cry
These games often involve hurting others emotionally or causing them pain.

Break our hearts and we say goodbye
Indeed, these games can lead to the end of friendships or relationships.

Cross our hearts and we hope to die
Cliched promises of sincerity or honesty, invoked to gain trust in these games.

Said the other was to blame
People often deflect blame onto others, rather than willingly accepting responsibility.

Neither one will ever give in
With the stakes high and emotions running strong, neither party is likely to back down.

Though we gaze on an ache again
Despite the pain caused by these games, we often return to them, unable to break free.

Thinkin' 'bout the things that might have been
Regret and nostalgia often accompany these games when they do end, leading to wistful fantasies of what could have been.

And it's a dirty rotten shame
This is the lament of the song, that these games are sad and unfair.

People walkin' up to ya
The song's attention turns to another form of game: evangelism.

Singin' 'Glory, Hallelujah'
These people are often using religion as a tool to manipulate or control others.

Then they try to sock it to ya
The evangelists ultimately want something from you, whether it's money or conformity.

In the name of the Lord
These games are often played with religious language or iconography, as a way of legitimizing the manipulative tactics being employed.

They gonna they teach you how to meditate
Another form of game is self-help or meditation, which can also be deceptive or manipulative.

Read your horoscope and cheat your fate
Fortune-telling or other forms of divination are yet another way people engage in games, falsely believing they can control their fate.

And further more to hell with hate
The song advocates for abandoning the bitterness and ill will often associated with these games.

Come on get on board
In place of these games, the song suggests getting on board with a more honest, authentic way of living.

Hey look around and tell me what you see
Taking stock of the world around you is an important first step in breaking free from these games.

What's happening to you and me
These games are not just something others are playing, but something we are complicit in as well.

God grant me the serenity
A prayer for the inner peace and calm necessary to stop playing these games.

To remember who I am, whoa
Breaking free from these games means returning to a more authentic and true version of oneself.

'Cause you've given up your sanity
Playing these games can drive one to madness, leading to the abandonment of one's own sanity.

All your pride and your vanity
These games often require sacrificing one's dignity or pride to win or gain advantage.

Turn back your back on humanity
The most insidious part of these games is that they often make one forget their own humanity, leading to cruelty or indifference to others.

And you don't give a
The song ends abruptly, with the final word left unsaid, perhaps a commentary on the meaninglessness of these games and the futility of pursuing them.