Nathan … Read Full Bio ↴Nathan Carter (born 28 May 1990) is an Irish country singer.
Nathan was born in Liverpool to parents from Northern Ireland. He began playing the accordion at age 4 and at age 10, he won the title for All Ireland Title for Traditional Singing. At 18 he moved from Liverpool to live in Ireland.
His debut album, Starting Out, was released in 2007 and from then on he has been known for reviving the genre of Country and Irish in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. Nathan released his latest album Where I Wanna Be in August 2013. His cover of the single "Wagon Wheel" has topped the main Irish Singles Chart.
Games People Play
Nathan Carter Lyrics
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Na-na na na na na na nee
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say nowNever 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
Na-na na na na na na na
Na-na na na na na na nee
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
And the other was to blame
Neither one will give in
So we gaze at our eight by ten
Thinking 'bout the things that might have been
It's a dirty rotten shame
Na-na na na na na na na
Na-na na na na na na nee
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
People walking up to you
Singing glory hallelulia
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 and cheat your faith
Further more to hell with tic
Come on and get on board
Na-na na na na na na na
Na-na na na na na na nee
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Na-na na na na na na na
Na-na na na na na na nee
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Na-na na na na na na na
Na-na na na na na na nee
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Talking 'bout you and me
And the games people play
Nathan Carter's song Games People Play is a commentary on the various games and manipulations people engage in their relationships with each other. The lyrics convey the sense that people are not always honest with each other, and therefore, relationships are difficult to sustain. The "games" people play are manipulations that are designed to obtain what one wants without being transparent about it. The use of the phrase "Never meaning what they say now, never saying what they mean" encapsulates this idea. The song suggests that these manipulations are a shame and a dirty way to treat one another.
The lyrics also imply that people's ability to relate to each other has become tainted by power struggles, and that people's manipulation of each other is a significant roadblock to achieving real connection; the lyric "Neither one will give in, so we gaze at our eight by ten Thinking 'bout the things that might have been It's a dirty rotten shame" highlights this idea. The use of the Ivory towers metaphor suggests that people do not play fair – the manipulation and dishonesty they engage in are bought by their privilege.
In conclusion, Nathan Carter's "Games People Play" is a commentary on the dishonesty and manipulation that underscores our relationships with each other. The song suggests that people engage in various "games" to obtain what they want without being truthful and transparent, leading to roadblocks in achieving real connections and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Na-na na na na na na na
Refrain.
Na-na na na na na na nee
Refrain.
Talking 'bout you and me
Discussion of human relationships.
And the games people play
The manipulations and deceptions that people use on each other.
Oh the games people play now
Intensification of the topic.
Every night and every day now
Frequency of such gameplay.
Never meaning what they say now
Utterances without intent.
Never saying what they mean
Inability to express true feelings.
And they wile away the hours
Passing the time with trivial pursuits.
In their ivory towers
In their privileged and isolated lifestyles.
Till they're covered up with flowers
Until their death and funeral ceremony.
In the back of a black limousine
Symbolic vehicle of death.
Oh we make one another cry
Inflicting emotional pain on each other.
Break a heart then we say goodbye
Ending a relationship by causing emotional damage.
Cross our hearts and we hope to die
Promising with sincerity.
And the other was to blame
Blaming the other party for the failed relationship.
Neither one will give in
Refusal to compromise.
So we gaze at our eight by ten
Contemplating a picture of a past relationship.
Thinking 'bout the things that might have been
Regret over missed opportunities.
It's a dirty rotten shame
Realization of the sad situation.
People walking up to you
Approaching someone.
Singing glory hallelulia
Praising.
And they're tryin to sock it to you
Attempting to take advantage of someone.
In the name of the Lord
Using religion as an excuse.
They're gonna teach you how to meditate
Promising enlightenment.
Read your horoscope and cheat your faith
Exploiting one's belief in astrology.
Further more to hell with tic
Disregarding limitations.
Come on and get on board
Invitation to join in the mischief.
Talking 'bout you and me
Continuation of human relationship discussion.
And the games people play
Reiteration of the central theme.
Contributed by Mackenzie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.