Lyrically, the song depicts Walker “addressing the lame dudes that continue to take their passion for granted” while not acknowledging “their relationship on Instagram”. The chorus is a full interpolation of the 1999 Destiny's Child single “Say My Name”.
On October 4, 2019, the extended version with Bryson Tiller was released alongside Over It as well as the music video. Despite the video featuring vocals from Tiller, he does not appear in the clip. The video features shots of Walker sitting and lying on a bed surrounded by bright city lights in the backdrop. During the video, Walker has one man tied up and hanging from the ceiling while another one is seen being confined to a chair. Being fed-up with lies, Walker goes on to ignore a man bringing them flowers and apologizing.
“Playing Games” eventually peaked at number sixteen Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for “Favorite Soul/R&B Song” at the AMAs but lost to “Heartless” by The Weeknd.
Playing Games
Summer Walker & Bryson Tiller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crib, got it
Job, on it
Did I ever
Ask you to take me to go
Shopping in Paris or go
Sailing overseas and just
Drape me in Gucci? No
Pick up the phone when you alone
All I ever asked was you to
Show me some love, kisses and hugs
No, I never had an issue
Go to the club with your boys, baby, I
Never wanted you to stay too long
Just wanted you to show me off
So won't you say my name, say my name?
If you claim you want me, it ain't no thang
You actin' kinda shady
You ain't been callin' me baby, oh
Boy, you can gon' stop playing games
Playing games
I know you say you hit my line
I'm on your mind, and that
You want this bad
So I'm cool with that
I'm just tryna match your words with your actions
I need more than satisfaction
Is you really 'bout that action?
You really wanna give your all
But flex in front of your friends
How that work?
Swear that you doin' the most
But we take a picture, can't post it
How that work?
Quit your talkin', back that shit up
Won't you say my, say my
So won't you say my name, say my name?
If you claim you want me, it ain't no thang
You actin' kinda shady
You ain't been callin' me baby, oh
Boy, you can gon' stop playing games (yeah)
Playing games (yeah)
I blow your mind, honey (damn)
Say it one time, honey (goddamn)
Sick of 'em lies
Tell 'em goodbye
Get in my ride
I wanna come by
I wanna just listen
Get in your vibe
Get in your feelings
Get in your
I get in your feelings
Not in your business
I wanna get kisses
And I wanna get
I wanna get with you, yeah
I wanna get him out of the picture, yeah
I made it my mission, yeah
And despite the difference, yeah
Me, I'm never actin' shady
You will always be my baby
You'll be my baby, yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller's song "Playing Games" describe a relationship where one partner is putting in more effort and attention than the other. The singer is frustrated because all she asks for is simple acts of love and communication, like answering the phone when they're alone or showing affection in public. She's not asking for extravagant gifts or trips around the world, but just the basic things that make a relationship work. The chorus repeats the plea for her partner to stop playing games and show her the love and attention she deserves.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer expressing her desire for her partner to back up his words with action. She's looking for more than just physical satisfaction and wants to know if he's really "about that action." She's tired of her partner acting differently around his friends and not following through on his promises. The bridge of the song reinforces the singer's desire for love and connection, wanting to get to know her partner on a deeper level and cut out any distractions or other people who might be getting in the way.
Overall, "Playing Games" is a relatable portrayal of the struggles that can arise in relationships and the importance of communication and effort from both partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Whip, bought it
I bought a car
Crib, got it
I have my own place
Job, on it
I am working hard
Did I ever
Have I ever
Ask you to take me to go
Request you to take me to go
Shopping in Paris or go
To go shopping in Paris or go
Sailing overseas and just
To sail overseas and just
Drape me in Gucci? No
To dress me up in Gucci? No
All I ever asked was you to
The only thing I ever asked from you was to
Pick up the phone when you alone
Answer my calls when you're alone
Show me some love, kisses and hugs
Show me some love, kisses and hugs
No, I never had an issue
No, I never had a problem
Go to the club with your boys, baby, I
If you go to the club with your friends, I
Never wanted you to stay too long
Never wanted you to stay there for too long
Just wanted you to show me off
Just wanted you to show me to everyone
So won't you say my name, say my name?
So can you call my name, say my name?
If you claim you want me, it ain't no thang
If you say you want me, it shouldn't be a problem
You actin' kinda shady
Your behavior is suspicious
You ain't been callin' me baby, oh
You haven't been calling me baby
Boy, you can gon' stop playing games
Boy, you can stop playing games
Playing games
Playing games
I know you say you hit my line
I know you say you called me
I'm on your mind, and that
I'm on your mind, and that
You want this bad
You want this badly
So I'm cool with that
So I'm okay with that
I'm just tryna match your words with your actions
I'm just trying to match your words with your actions
I need more than satisfaction
I need more than just satisfaction
Is you really 'bout that action?
Are you really about that action?
You really wanna give your all
Do you really want to give your all?
But flex in front of your friends
But show off in front of your friends
How that work?
How does that work?
Swear that you doin' the most
Claim that you are doing the most
But we take a picture, can't post it
But we take a picture, and can't post it
Quit your talkin', back that shit up
Stop talking and back that up
Won't you say my, say my
Can you call my name, call my name?
I blow your mind, honey (damn)
I impress you, honey (wow)
Say it one time, honey (goddamn)
Say it once, honey (damn)
Sick of 'em lies
Tired of the lies
Tell 'em goodbye
Say goodbye to them
Get in my ride
Get in my car
I wanna come by
I want to come by
I wanna just listen
I just want to listen
Get in your vibe
Understand your vibe
Get in your feelings
Understand your feelings
Get in your
Understand your
I get in your feelings
I understand your feelings
Not in your business
Not interfering
I wanna get kisses
I want to get kisses
And I wanna get
And I want to get
I wanna get with you, yeah
I want to be with you
I wanna get him out of the picture, yeah
I want to get him out of the picture
I made it my mission, yeah
I made it my goal
And despite the difference, yeah
And despite the differences
Me, I'm never actin' shady
I am never acting suspicious
You will always be my baby
You will always be my baby
You'll be my baby, yeah, yeah
You will be my baby, yeah, yeah
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aubrey Robinson, Bryson Tiller, Summer Marjani Walker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lxuu6253
[Verse 1: Summer Walker]
Whip, bought it
Crib, got it
Job, on it
Did I ever
Ask you to take me to go
Shopping in Paris or go
Sailing overseas and just
Drape me in Gucci? No
All I ever asked was you to
Pick up the phone when you alone
All I ever asked was you to
Show me some love, kisses and hugs
No, I never had an issue
Go to the club with your boys, baby, I
Never wanted you to stay too long
Just wanted you to show me off
[Chorus: Summer Walker]
So won't you say my name, say my name?
If you claim you want me, it ain't no thang
You acting kind of shady
You ain't been calling me baby, oh
Boy, you can go'n stop playing games
Playing games
[Verse 2: Summer Walker]
I know you sayin', "Hit my line"
I'm on your mind, and that
You want this bad
So I'm cool with that
I'm just tryna match your words with your actions
I need more than satisfaction
Is you really 'bout that action?
Really want to give your all
But flex in front of your friends
How that work?
Swear that you doing the most
But we take a picture, can't post it
How that work?
Quit your talking, back that shit up
Won't you say my, say my
[Chorus: Summer Walker & Bryson Tiller]
So won't you say my name, say my name?
If you claim you want me, it ain't no thang
You acting kind of shady
You ain't been calling me baby, oh
Boy, you can go'n stop playing games (Yeah)
Playing games (Yeah)
[Verse 3: Bryson Tiller]
I blow your mind, honey (Damn)
Say it one time, honey (Goddamn)
Sick of them lies, tell 'em goodbye
Get in my ride, I wanna come by
I wanna just listen, get in your vibe
Get in your feelings, get in your—
I get in your feelings, none of your business
I wanna get kids and I wanna get—
I wanna get with you, yeah
I wanna get him out of the picture, yeah
I made it my mission, yeah
And despite the difference, yeah
Me, I'm never actin' shady
You will always be my baby
You'll be my baby, yeah, yeah
You're welcome 🦋😚
@jadascott6401
bryson so lowkey these days I’m not surprised he not in it 😂 song still amazing tho & the album is a bop
@Zaraallenn
Jada Scott man ong nigga don’t even wanna be famous for
@yepthatsme7097
Mohailia Hudson he’s having a baby 🤰🏾
@jadascott6401
Jojoba M yesss I know !! so happy for my baby
@jadascott6401
Mohailia Hudson 😂😂😂
@MorganAlexis
Aight imma head out
@k.oRocky-hh5rx
Bryson not in the vid cause he’s “playing games”
@Giggles50
LMAO, hilarious!
@brrokllyn
Giggles LMAO, hilarious!
@jayden.5078
playgirlauria LMAO, hilarious!