The Game
Red Herring Lyrics
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You take a seat, I'm wonderin' what to do.
And you got me feelin' all brand new.
I catch your more-than-passing glance,
And take the chance
To make your party two.
We talk and spin the clock a while.
Two days pass, 'til we cross paths again.
And things go on,
From dusk to dawn,
We're both turned on to the same song
Or so I thought.
And I don't know how you can say nothing's wrong,
When your words are weak
But body's movin' strong.
With every look, I'm a fish on a hook.
Throw me back or reel me in.
We give n' take, I play it safe
And let you make the moves.
You're takin' on the givin' of the signs I want from you.
'Cause when we're chillin'
Just the two of us.
You're brushin' up against me so much
I got contact buzz.
So now I figure
It's time to make my move.
'Cause I can't keep holding back,
When you're laying down your groove.
So I tell you how I feel
And have felt all along.
'Cause I guessed you felt the same way,
But I guess that I guessed wrong.
And I don't know how you can say nothing's wrong,
When your words are weak
But body's movin' strong.
With every look, I'm a fish on a hook.
Throw me back or reel me in.
What I thought I knew
'Bout me and you
Was built on a house of cards stacked to fall.
And if this is a game,
It's the dealer to blame
So I'm foldin' this hand you dealt me.
And if you wanna deal
And ante up with your appeal,
I'm afraid you might come up
A little short on funds.
You can't have both, you got to choose.
If you play both sides, you play to lose.
And now you know,
'Cause you're playing all alone.
(I'll make you feel brand new)
You're playing all alone.
(Come on and make your party two)
Hope you have fun on your own!
(Baby, nothing's wrong)
'Cause I won't be your fool no more.
(Nothing's wrong, Baby please, Baby please, nothing's wrong)
No, no more.
The song The Game by Red Herring is about the confusion and mixed signals that can arise when two people are getting to know each other romantically. The singer describes their initial attraction to someone they see walking into a room, and the excitement of getting to know them better. However, as the relationship progresses, they begin to feel uncertain about where they stand with the other person. Although their physical chemistry is strong, their conversations are lacking and their words don't match their actions. Despite this, the singer continues to hold out hope that the relationship will work out, until they eventually realize that they are playing a losing game and decide to fold.
Throughout the song, there are references to gambling and risk-taking, metaphors that convey the uncertainty and unpredictability of the singer's situation. The chorus, "And I don't know how you can say nothing's wrong, when your words are weak but body's movin' strong. With every look, I'm a fish on a hook. Throw me back or reel me in," encapsulates the conflicting emotions that the singer is experiencing. They are drawn to the other person physically but feel emotionally confused by their mixed signals.
Overall, The Game is a relatable and bittersweet depiction of modern dating, where the line between genuine connection and casual hookups can be blurry.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you walk into the room.
I notice your entrance.
You take a seat, I'm wonderin' what to do.
I'm uncertain how to approach you as you sit down.
And you got me feelin' all brand new.
Your presence is making me feel rejuvenated.
I catch your more-than-passing glance,
I notice you looking at me intently.
And take the chance
I decide to take a risk.
To make your party two.
To engage with you and make us a duo.
You ask my favorite movie through a smile.
You inquire about my movie preferences in a cheerful manner.
We talk and spin the clock a while.
We engage in conversation for an extended period.
Two days pass, 'til we cross paths again.
We don't encounter each other for two days until our next meeting.
And things go on,
Our interactions continue.
From dusk to dawn,
From nighttime until morning.
We're both turned on to the same song
We feel the same attraction to each other.
Or so I thought.
Or at least, that's what I believed before.
And I don't know how you can say nothing's wrong,
I don't understand how you can claim nothing is amiss.
When your words are weak
Your words are lacking conviction.
But body's movin' strong.
Your physical actions suggest otherwise.
With every look, I'm a fish on a hook.
Each glance you offer keeps me hooked and curious.
Throw me back or reel me in.
Either reject me or become more invested in this connection.
We give n' take, I play it safe
We interact while being cautious and reserved.
And let you make the moves.
I relinquish control and allow you to guide the interaction.
You're takin' on the givin' of the signs I want from you.
You're exhibiting the behaviors I've been hoping to see from you.
'Cause when we're chillin'
When we relax together.
Just the two of us.
Only the two of us are involved in this scenario.
You're brushin' up against me so much
You're making frequent, suggestive contact with me.
I got contact buzz.
I'm experiencing a rush of exhilaration from your proximity.
So now I figure
I conclude that this must be my course of action.
It's time to make my move.
I need to take a bold step forward in our relationship.
'Cause I can't keep holding back,
I can no longer contain my emotions and continue to be cautious.
When you're laying down your groove.
When you're exhibiting your authentic self and natural tendencies.
So I tell you how I feel
I express my feelings and intentions to you.
And have felt all along.
The emotions I'm sharing have been present for some time.
'Cause I guessed you felt the same way,
My assumption was that you shared my emotions.
But I guess that I guessed wrong.
Unfortunately, it seems that I was incorrect in my assumption.
And if this is a game,
If our interaction is merely a trivial pursuit.
It's the dealer to blame
I attribute our circumstance to external factors beyond our control.
So I'm foldin' this hand you dealt me.
I give up my involvement in this game that you initiated.
And if you wanna deal
If you wish to replicate this game and attempt to engage me once more.
And ante up with your appeal,
Put forth something that's worth investing in to make it worthwhile for both of us.
I'm afraid you might come up
I have doubts about your abilities should you attempt to compete again.
A little short on funds.
You might not have enough to see this through to the end.
You can't have both, you got to choose.
You must make a decision and commit to a direction.
If you play both sides, you play to lose.
If you attempt to avoid a definitive choice, you'll be unsuccessful.
And now you know,
At this point, I'd like to impart a piece of wisdom in hopes that it is thought-provoking.
'Cause you're playing all alone.
You'll be by yourself if you keep attempting to play games rather than engage truthfully.
(I'll make you feel brand new)
A reminder of the positive feelings that being together once provoked.
You're playing all alone.
A repetition to emphasize the fact that the other party will be isolated if they fail to embrace an honest connection.
Hope you have fun on your own!
A sarcastic sentiment insinuating that we're better off apart.
(Baby, nothing's wrong)
An additional reminder that all parties should be honest without fear of judgement.
'Cause I won't be your fool no more.
A final statement that emphasizes that playing games is not worthwhile and will not be tolerated going forward.
(Nothing's wrong, Baby please, Baby please, nothing's wrong)
A repetition of the previous sentiment in hopes that everyone is the same page.
No, no more.
An affirmation that this behavior is no longer acceptable and must change moving forward.
Contributed by Harper D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.