Eric Woolfson wrote most of the music and lyrics while Alan Parsons overviewed the production process. Prior to starting his Project, Parsons worked as an engineer with names such as the Beatles (Abbey Road, the Get Back roofttop concert) and Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon, Atom Heart Mother).
Since the 1990s Alan Parsons has been performing live shows, touring all over the world, but without Eric Woolfson.
Games People Play
The Alan Parsons Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And how do we spend our lives if there's no one to lend us a hand?
I don't want to live here no more
I don't want to stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life
Quietly fading away
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say, honor bright
If I promise you the moon and the stars
Would you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Where do we go from here now that all of the children have grown up?
And how do we spend our time knowin' nobody gives us a damn?
I don't want to live here no more
I don't want to stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life
Quietly fading away
Games people play
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say
Just don't make it right
If I'm tellin' you the truth right now
Do you believe it?
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say, honor bright
If I promise you the moon and the stars
Would you believe it?
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say
Just don't make it right
If I'm tellin' you the truth right now
Do you believe it?
Games people play in the middle of the night
The Alan Parsons Project's "Games People Play" is a song that explores the complexities of human relationships and the various games people play in order to gain power or control. At the heart of the song is a sense of disillusionment with society and the way people interact with one another. The opening lines, "Where do we go from here now that all of the children are growin' up? And how do we spend our lives if there's no one to lend us a hand?" suggest a sense of uncertainty and confusion about the future. The singer is grappling with the question of how to navigate the world as an adult, without the support and guidance of others.
As the song progresses, the lyrics continue to explore the ways in which people manipulate one another for personal gain. The chorus, "Games people play, you take take it or you leave it, things that they say, honor bright..." speaks to the idea that people will say or do anything in order to get what they want. This line is followed by, "If I promise you the moon and the stars, would you believe it? Games people play in the middle of the night..." which suggests that people will make grand promises or declarations in order to manipulate others. Ultimately, the song is a commentary on the ways in which people are often more concerned with winning than with truly connecting with one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Where do we go from here now that all of the children are growin' up?
What direction should we take in life now that our children are grown?
And how do we spend our lives if there's no one to lend us a hand?
How do we navigate life when we don't have anyone to help us?
I don't want to live here no more
I want to leave this place
I don't want to stay
I don't want to remain in this situation
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life
I refuse to dedicate my entire life
Quietly fading away
Slowly disappearing
Games people play
People engage in manipulative behaviors
You take take it or you leave it
It's up to you to decide whether or not to participate
Things that they say, honor bright
They claim to be truthful
If I promise you the moon and the stars
If I make big promises to you
Would you believe it
Would you trust me?
Games people play in the middle of the night
People engage in manipulative behaviors even when it's dark and quiet
Where do we go from here now that all of the children have grown up?
What direction should we take in life now that our children are grown?
And how do we spend our time knowin' nobody gives us a damn?
How do we use our time when we feel ignored by others?
Just don't make it right
Their words or actions aren't fair or just
If I'm tellin' you the truth right now
If I'm being honest with you in this moment
Do you believe it?
Do you trust me?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alan Parsons, Eric Woolfson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@detredwings21
Where do we go from here, now that all other children are growin' up?
And how do we spend our lives, if there's no one to lend us a hand?
I don't wanna live here no more, I don't wanna stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life quietly fading away
Games people play, you take it or you leave it
Things that they say are not right
If I promise you the moon and the stars, would you believe it?
Games people play in the middle of the night
Where do we go from here, now that all of the children have grown up?
And how do we spend our time knowing nobody gives us a damn?
I don't wanna live here no more, I don't wanna stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life quietly fading away
Games people play, you take it, or you leave it
Things that they say, just don't make it right
If I'm telling you the truth right now, do you believe it?
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play, you take it, or you leave it
Things that they say are not right
If I promise you the moon and the stars, would you believe it?
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play, you take it, or you leave it
Things that they say, just don't make it right
If I'm telling you the truth right now, do you believe it?
Games people play in the middle of the night
@leokimvideo
A early calculator watch....they were expensive in the 80's. Total collectors item today.
@mattagnew206
I wore mine with pride. Cost me $50 in '82.
@69erthx1138
Prizes in my math wonk collection, Casio scientific calculator watch (yeah, the big one) and power log slide rule.
@BAR-ct7ti
Noticed that. Dude was several years ahead of the curve.
@keepinmahprivacy9754
The best is that he is also wearing a gold watch on the other wrist :D
@Lee-ts3dw
Never noticed til I read your comment, thanks
@user-lk2og7rb2o
If you were listening to Alan Parsons in the 70's we are friends.
@edwinbabajanians4328
Of course! On my first pair of speakers: Radio Shack 3 way towers. Still have them and sounds amazing! 43 years later…
@debbiereichelt4059
Hello, friend. lol
@robertjohnston8690
And the 80's