Tesla's music fit well with the blasting sounds of their 80s hair metal and glam rock contemporaries. Yet it was more bluesy and lyrics dealt with other themes than just the usual, girls, alcohol and violence. But what set them even more apart from their contemporaries was their t-shirt and jeans image, a 'street' look reminiscent of the Ramones (and other 70s punk groups) that was in strong contrast of the leather, spandex, and flashy-make type look of the time.
The band's early lifespan as City Kidd brought them considerable frustration, with them failing to break into the musical mainstream while also competing with another band with the same name. Their mutation into Tesla provided a clear shot at success. 'Mechanical Resonance', their debut that the boys released in 1986, became a commercial smash while also receiving significant critical praise. That album was certified platinum by the RIAA on October 5, 1989.
In total, the group has released six studio albums with original music, the latest of them being 2008's 'Forever More'. They have also created a a double-disc covers album, titled 'Real To Reel', as well as a number of compilations and live albums. Their sound has focused on a particularly melodic and accessible kind of hard rock with strong shades of classic heavy metal as well.
Tesla's popular 1990 remake of Signs, originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band (who also inspired the album which the remake came from, Five Man Acoustical Jam), is probably the most mainstream of Tesla's hits. However, many fans remember fondly Tesla's other hits such as Gettin' Better, Modern Day Cowboy, Little Suzi, Edison's Medicine and Love Song.
The band derived their name, certain album and song names (e.g. The Great Radio Controversy, Mechanical Resonance, etc), and some song content from events relating to Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer born in the 19th century in Smiljan, Austria-Hungary, modern day Croatia.
Games People Play
Tesla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never meaning what they say now, never saying what they mean
While they while away the hours in their ivory towers
Till they're covered up with flowers in the back of a black limousine
Oh we make one another cry, breakin' hearts when we say goodbye
Cross our hearts and we hope to die, except the other was to blame
Either one will ever kill it, so we gaze and we make pretend
[Chorus]
Talkin' 'bout you and me, and the games people play
Talkin' 'bout you and me, and the games people play
People walkin' up to ya, singin' glory hallelujah
Sayin' what the hell's it to ya, if we do it in the name of the Lord
We're gonna teach ya how to meditate
[Preach our hearts from teacher's faith]
Put them on a hell of hate, come on, let's get on board
[Chorus]
Look around, tell me what you see, what's happening to you and me
Got burning my serenity, to the neighborhood at hand
Cause you're givin' up your sanity, or your pride and your vanity
Turn your back on humanity, ow, when you don't give a damn, not a damn
Talkin' 'bout you and me, and the games people play
Talkin' 'bout everybody, talkin' 'bout you, 'bout you and me
You and me,
I'm talkin' bout the games, the games we all play
All the games, talkin' bout the games people play
The lyrics in Tesla's song "Games People Play" describe the various games that people play in relationships - whether it is romantic, friendship, or social. These "games" create a sense of insincerity as people don't mean what they say and don't say what they mean. The song highlights the futility of these games as they lead to heartbreak and blame. People often pretend and make things up, while they while away the hours in their ivory towers until they meet their ultimate end. The song illustrates how we often think about what could have been and how empty it all seems in the end.
The lyrics also touch on the ways in which people use religion and spirituality to justify their actions. People often do things in the name of the Lord, preaching about love and peace, but underneath it all, these actions reflect hate, anger, and violence. The lyrics suggest that people can lose their sanity, pride, and vanity while playing these games and may even turn their backs on humanity in the process. This final stanza also tells us that the song is about human nature as a whole, and not just one specific individual or group.
Line by Line Meaning
All the games people play now, every night every day now
People engage in various deceptive activities all the time.
Never meaning what they say now, never saying what they mean
People lack sincerity and honesty in their interactions.
While they while away the hours in their ivory towers
People waste their time in useless and secluded activities.
Till they're covered up with flowers in the back of a black limousine
People continue with their deceptive ways until they die and are buried in a pretentious manner.
Oh we make one another cry, breakin' hearts when we say goodbye
People hurt each other emotionally when they part ways.
Cross our hearts and we hope to die, except the other was to blame
People make promises of sincerity but blame others when things go wrong.
Either one will ever kill it, so we gaze and we make pretend
Neither side is willing to let go of the situation, so they pretend all is well.
Thinkin' 'bout things that might have been, oh it's a dirty rotten shame
People regret not taking certain opportunities in life and feel disappointed about it.
Talkin' 'bout you and me, and the games people play
The song highlights the deceitful nature and manipulative actions of people in general.
People walkin' up to ya, singin' glory hallelujah
People try to bring others to their side by manipulating them using things such as religion.
Sayin' what the hell's it to ya, if we do it in the name of the Lord
People justify their actions, even if it causes harm to others, by claiming they are doing it for a higher power.
We're gonna teach ya how to meditate
People try to indoctrinate others in a way that benefits their purposes.
[Preach our hearts from teacher's faith]
This line is difficult to understand and interpret.
Put them on a hell of hate, come on, let's get on board
People try to spread hatred towards certain groups to create division and gain power.
Look around, tell me what you see, what's happening to you and me
The song encourages one to look at their surroundings and reflect on the deceitful nature of the world.
Got burning my serenity, to the neighborhood at hand
People are bothered by the hypocrisy and dishonesty of others in their community.
Cause you're givin' up your sanity, or your pride and your vanity
Participating in manipulative games can cause one to lose their sense of self and their dignity.
Turn your back on humanity, ow, when you don't give a damn, not a damn
Engaging in manipulative games causes one to become indifferent to the welfare and needs of others.
Talkin' 'bout you and me, and the games people play
The song concludes by reiterating the deceitful nature of people and the various manipulative games they play.
Talkin' 'bout everybody, talkin' 'bout you, 'bout you and me
The song points out that these manipulative games impact everyone.
You and me,
Referring to the general population, emphasizing that everyone plays these games.
I'm talkin' bout the games, the games we all play
The artist is pointing out that we are all guilty of playing manipulative games, whether we are aware or not.
All the games, talkin' bout the games people play
The song reiterates that the topic of the song is the various manipulative games people play.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Joe South
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christopher N. Savage
on Getting' Better
A shame that you can't see the original video, but this tune has the passion and power to lift you up and brighten your day!!!!!