The Four Tops are an American Motown musical quartet, whose repertoire has … Read Full Bio ↴The Four Tops are an American Motown musical quartet, whose repertoire has included doo-wop, jazz, soul music, RnB, disco, adult contemporary, showtunes, and even psychedelic rock. Founded in Detroit, Michigan as The Four Aims, lead singer Levi Stubbs and group mates Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, and Lawrence Payton remained together for over four decades, finally forced to endure a lineup change when Payton died in 1997. At that time, Theo Peoples was added to the lineup; Peoples later replaced Stubbs, who fell ill from cancer, and Ronnie McNeir assumed Peoples' spot. In July, 2005, Benson died of lung cancer with Payton's son Roquel replacing him. And as of April, 2005, Fakir, McNeir, Payton and Peoples still perform together as The Four Tops. The legendary Levi Stubbs sadly passed away in 2008.

Among a number of groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s, including The Miracles, The Marvelettes, The Temptations and The Supremes, The Four Tops were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer; most groups of the time were fronted by a tenor. The group was the main male vocal group for the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who crafted for the group a stream of popular hit singles, including two #1 hits: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There". After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Wilson. When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops stayed in Detroit and moved over to ABC Records, where they continued to have charting singles into the late-1970s. Since the 1980s, The Four Tops have recorded for, at various times, Motown, Casablanca Records, and Arista Records.

As an unofficial record, it is believed that The Four Tops were the band to continue performing the longest without a lineup change. Levi Stubbs, Abdul Fakir, Renaldo Benson and Lawrence Payton sang together as the Four Tops from 1954 until 1997, when Lawrence Payton died of cancer. That's an astonishing 43 years without a lineup change. The three surviving members continued to tour as "The Tops."

Simple Game
The Four Tops Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

As time goes by
You will see
That we're going to be free
You and me, we'll touch the sky
Can't you see in your mind's eye
That we are one, we're all the same
And life is just a simple game
Oh do do do

(Do do do)
Do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)

There by your side (oh yeah)
I will be (oh yeah)
When this crazy world is free
Free from doubt
When it finds out
Exactly what we're meant to be
That we are one, we're all the same
And life is just a simple game
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Do do do
(Do do do do)

Thoughts of another day
Flashing through my head
Thinking how life could be
All of the things that I lately have said

Be what you wanna be!
What we deserve to be!
What we are meant to be!
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)

As time goes by (oh yeah)
You will see
That we're going to be free
You and me, we'll touch the sky
Can't you see in your mind's eye
That we are one, we're all the same
And life is just a simple game
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)
You and me
(You and me)
We'll touch the sky
(We'll touch the sky)
Oh, can't you see
(Can't you see)
Oh, do do do
(Do do do do)
Do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)

Do do do do
(Do do do do)

Overall Meaning

The Four Tops' song "A Simple Game" is a soulful ballad that invites the listener to take a step back and see the bigger picture of life. The opening lines offer a reflection on the passage of time, suggesting that as it goes by, individuals will come to appreciate their freedom. A sense of unity is conveyed in the lyrics, stating that everyone is the same, and life is merely a simple game. The chorus is meditative, featuring the repetition of "do do do" which indicates the universality of our common experiences as human beings.

In the second verse, the lyrics speak of thoughts of another day flashing through the singer's mind, along with their hopes for life. The song touches on themes of individuality and self-expression, echoing the idea of being who we want to be, what we deserve to be and what we are meant to be. In the end, the song affirms that everyone can achieve their dreams and reach for the sky, as we all share the same simple game called life.

Line by Line Meaning

As time goes by
As the future passes

You will see
You will notice

That we're going to be free
That we will eventually be free

You and me, we'll touch the sky
You and I will reach the highest possible point

Can't you see in your mind's eye
Can't you visualize in your imagination

That we are one, we're all the same
That we are unified, equal in every way

And life is just a simple game
Life is straightforward and uncomplicated

There by your side (oh yeah)
I will be with you (oh yeah)

When this crazy world is free
When this chaotic world becomes liberated

Free from doubt
Without hesitation or uncertainty

When it finds out
When it truly realizes

Exactly what we're meant to be
What our destiny is

Thoughts of another day
Thinking about some other time

Flashing through my head
Racing through my mind

Thinking how life could be
Contemplating on how life may be

All of the things that I lately have said
All the things that I have said recently

Be what you wanna be!
Be whatever you desire!

What we deserve to be!
What we merit to be!

What we are meant to be!
What we are destined to be!

You and me
You and I

We'll touch the sky
We will reach the highest possible point

Oh, can't you see
Oh, don't you see

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: MIKE PINDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Patrick Stocks

As time goes by
You will see
That we’re going to be free
You & me, we’ll touch the sky 🌌
Can’t you see in your minds eye
That we are one ☝️ we’re all the same
And life is just a simple game
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)
There by your side (oh yeah)
I will be (oh yeah)
When this crazy world is free
Free from doubt
When it finds out
Exactly what we’re meant to be
That we are one ☝️ we’re all the same
And life is just a simple game
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Do do do
(Do do do do)
Thoughts of another day
Flashing through my head
Thinking how life could be

Be what you wanna be
What we deserve to be
What we are meant to be
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)
As time goes by (oh yeah)
You will see
That we’re going to be free
You & me, we’ll touch the sky 🌌
Can’t you see in your minds eye 👁
That we are one ☝️ we’re all the same
And life is just a simple game
Oh do do do
(Do do do)
Do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)
You and me
(You and me)
We’ll touch the sky
(We’ll touch the sky)
Oh, can’t you see
(Can’t you see)
Oh, do do do
Do do do do
Do do do
(Do do do)
Oh do do do
(Do do do do)

All comments from YouTube:

CAROL BELLAS

2y↑23

Levi Stubb's had one hell of a voice R.I.P.

Penny Mcneela

2y↑25

The 70's have to be the best decade for music.
I'm so blessed music like this was around in my younger years...

Alicia Coduras

1y↑3

Great version of the Four Tops. The message of this song is universal, thank you Mike Pinder for writing the song and the Moody Blues for giving so much to humans. Hoping new generations listen and understand how advanced was this to its time.

Machiventa

11y↑56

The Four Tops and The Moody Blues are two of my absolute favorite artists. How fortunate they worked together! Both versions are outstanding!!!

majorMcpharter

3y↑3

Awesome.

Patricia Meszaros

3y↑7

I absolutely agree. The 4 Tops doing a cover of this Moody Blues song is a melding of my two perfect worlds. ❤

majorMcpharter

3y↑3

@Patricia Meszaros Wonderful.

Sutterjack

12y↑10

OK--I'm a Moody Blues purist, but these guys are just too cool in their cover --Outstanding!

majorMcpharter

3y↑20

The Moody blues are by far my favourite band. But i love this 4 Tops cover version of Mike Pinder's very thought provoking and meaningful song.

Michael Boyce

1y↑1

The only Moody tune cover.

Lynne Forsyth

2y↑7

Just the best ever...impeccable..Levi, best voice ever. Brings back memories of youth..

RadioFreeSpike

14y↑5

This is one of those rare times where both the original and the cover version are great. The Moody Blues original is fantastic, especially the bass guitar laying a wave-like foundation. In this version there is less emphasis on the guitars, but more focus on the vocals, and it's actually easier to hear the lyrics. Good work all around!

Mr Mullett

3y↑9

Brilliant stuff .. I'm a Moody Blues total fan, and never heard this version of their song until today. Man this is good stuff .. how did I miss this one. Woo Hoo made my year.

Gary Bradley

Even Billy Ocean did a version. It's not on a par with this, or the original.......but it's not bad.

Roger Egerton

4y↑64

These guys could sing about the ingredients in a bottle ketchup, and it would sound amazing. Thank you for posting

kimberly mikita-jones

2y↑5

Who would have envisioned a Motown group covering a Moodies song? Well, the Four Tops did, and very well.
I love this song. All 3 versions. Mike Pinder's ( the songwriter), Justin Hayward's alternate lead vocal version, and the Four Tops. The F. T.s put some soul into that English song!

The EreGuv

Be what we want to be

Supreme 10

They did, sing about kraft slice cheese.

Deborah Colebourne

39w

Totally agree they are brilliant 👍🏻

Kwame Aboagye

8y↑7

Levi, Obie, Duke and Larry, the Four Tops are such a great soul force and their classic will long live in my memories.My favourite Four Tops classic has to be Still Water. RIP, Levi Stubbs, Obie Benson and Larry Payton.

William Carr

6y↑20

I had NO idea that the Four Tops had done this song!!! I LOVE IT. what a great find!

xiropigado

2y↑5

The Moody Blues are one of my favourite bands, but this cover is just amazing, the emotions felt and sang take your breath away. Fantasic song.

Calvin Hobbes

1y↑2

Written by Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues, and performed as only the Four Tops could do it. What a great combination!! :)

Nigel Cross

10y↑51

One of the best from the four tops. Thanks Levi and the rest of the band. Glad I was around at the time.

James Allard

Just for fun, you might want to check out the mosogotam channel.
Motown and I were born the same year, both in SE Michigan, too. Beatles? Beach Boys? Who?

Karen Ammon

5y↑5

Great cover of a Moody Blues song!

Carol trudge

Just return back home from London four topps x

4bawbees

4y↑7

Nailed it! They've really got this song covered

john fallen

8y↑26

what can I say..........genius....I could not live without this track...RIP ..Levi... thank you..

majorMcpharter

Yes indeed.

poppy bright

8y↑66

One of the most fantastic songs ever written and performed. Loved it since I was a child. So special. Gorgeous.

Mr T

8y↑1

+poppy bright me too

Michael Boyce

6y↑9

Mike Pinder wrote it for the Moodies,but the Four Tops covered it,too! It won the Famous Ivor Norvello Award.

Richard We

5y↑1

Camel dunkirk

Lee Whizzkid

4y↑3

@Michael Boyce it is the moody blues playing on the four tops version too you know.

Almighty Shux

4y↑1

@Lee Whizzkid wow no shit!
where'd you read that?

2 More Replies...

Coldeb 89

3y↑2

There are very few groups that could take a 'Moody Blues' song and and do as good a job of it, but The Four Tops were such a fabulous group they did it with ease, I'm hard pressed to decide which version I like best to be honest.

Gary Bradley

I know what you mean.........but in my opinion ( which means nothing) the original is the best.

ysgol3

6y↑28

Outstanding. Just outstanding. Takes me back to 1971 when I was young and life did indeed seem like a Simple Game. Of course that's exactly what it is, if we don't act stupidly and complicate it needlessly.

Lina P

6y↑2

ysgol3
Sage words of yours to accompany one of the most inspirational songs ever written. My oh my! The Four Tops do that song justice... Awesome! And that’s just the start!

ysgol3

6y↑2

Lin - Awesome is exactly it ! Thank you and Peace from Wales

Otis Driftwood

2y↑1

Get rid of the metaphorical gram scale expand your vision to see all all the unruly and unjust the injustices needlessly put upon those who can pay their way for example the gram scale reads 0:00 ( new normal for society ) and THERES A GREAT BIG HEAVY MUG sitting on the scale they led our attention away from noticing it 😳😳😳 #oosoom

Anthony Lombardo

6y↑15

Their best selling hit in Great Britain, didn't crack the TOP 12 here in the States. Great tune, one of the many Motown did not push for the Tops.

divine williams

4y↑3

their biggest selling hit in the UK was reach out i'll be there, topped the charts 1966. this one peaked at no. 3 in 1972

Helen Haley

3y↑2

Wow! The Four Tops really added muscle to their songs, for me, with this one!

Lynne Forsyth

3y↑2

Memories of first love...Levi's voice was the backdrop to my best years x

Sheila Ryan

9y↑28

i adore this song its fabulous.

Duncan Da Cunha

4y↑15

Levi Stubbs, genius and talent

Simon Shreeve

5y↑12

This is my Favourite song by the Four Tops!

RICHARD LAVERSUCH

7y↑16

A great message...right on the nail.

majorMcpharter

3y↑2

A wonderful message, like many of the songs from the Moodies.

Irama Danceandmusic

8y↑12

It's rare that a cover is just as good as the original; this is one of those times. :-)

I don't know how I was never aware of this version of this song; my parents always had Four Tops on rotation when I was growing up. I just found out about it on the Moody Blues wiki page.

Chris Wood

4y↑4

IAN RIPP Er, no. This is a cover of a Moody Blues song.

That said, it is really well done.

IAN - R.

4y↑1

@Chris Wood Yes, I was aware of that. Very well done. 5***

Chris Wood

4y↑2

IAN RIPP My point is that it is not the original version. I'm not sure how else to elaborate on that?

The post you replied to called this a "different version". You said it was the original. I mean, it's the original version of the 4 tops doing a cover of this song, but it isn't the original version of the song. Is this hard to understand?

Ian. Huggibearean

@Chris Wood So, what's your problem? I didn't say it was the original version at all. Wind your neck in Split hair.!!!

majorMcpharter

@Chris Wood Yes both versions are wonderful, Mike Pinder wrote some very deep and meaningful songs, the moody Blues in the late 60s early 70s where musically the ultimate cosmic philosophers. The 4 tops cover version is amazing also.

Chris Clarke

Powerful song, by true professionals.

Stephen Powell

7y↑10

One of my Mum and Dads Soundtracks from 1971 ,God bless the Four Tops for this Great Medley from 46 years ago

Rog Brown

Four tops and smokey and miracles .without doubt the best .Rog brown Pacific sunset records

Steve Whitlock

11y↑7

Saw this live at the Colston Hall Bristol in about 1973, absolutely mind blowing, superb song and brilliant performance

majorMcpharter

Awesome.

Glynis Roberts

5y↑2

Just fantastic!!

Alan Adair

4y↑7

My fave Tops tune. Fabulous band with the powerful voice of Levi Stubbs. Saw them perform twice in the 1970's at the old classic California Ballroom in Dunstable.

Lucas Cecil

8y↑52

this makes me so happy. my favorite Motown band covering my favorite Band!

kevin heath

8y↑3

Exactly my friend

majorMcpharter

3y↑3

The Moodies, the ultimate cosmic philosophers. Love and solidarity.

keith obrien

4y↑7

I remember buying this off a record stall in Shepherd’s Bush Market it was the last copy , I was sixteen at the time Still a great song

Martin Carman

4y↑2

Never heard this cover. The original was somewhat obscure also, discovered it on a collection CD. F Tops did a great job on it.

Gary Bradley

Billy Ocean's isn't a bad cover either.

Patrick Stocks

4everfab

13y↑3

I agree : both versions are great . I love the Moody Blues and the words of this song express all their faith in the human capacities and a possible world . The Four Tops sing this song with all their sincerity and the words , in their mouth , maybe take a little different meaning , but they are still strong . I like to think that this words will take a sense someday . As Justin Hayward said at the Albert Hall concert : " thank you to keep the faith alive " ...

majorMcpharter

Yes indeed we are all members of the Human Race. Solidarity and Fraternity to all humankind.

Frank Paterson

4y↑1

One of their best, and there were a lot of good ones.

LKayL1

43w↑2

The best version!!

Jay Atkinson

3y↑3

I just found out that this amazing song was written by Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues... he wrote some stunning lyrics and this band perform it like no other... love it! XXX

majorMcpharter

3y↑1

Yes indeed.

Gary Bradley

3y↑1

There's also a version by Billy Ocean. It's not as good as this, or the Moodies original........but it's not bad.

Ryan G

12y↑4

Absolutely superb..

Руперт Папкин

7y↑3

So good lyric and voices!

4bawbees

4y↑6

Fab footage of the magnificent Motownization of The Moody Blues' classic.

Carol Walsh

8y↑3

my favourite song ,so looking forward to seeing them live in October

Yesenia Yanes

4y↑6

Original de los Moody Blues. Un tributo!!!!!

DavidJHarrisonEssex

47w

My favourite by these. Under rated song.
🇬🇧

Craig Black

2y↑1

Amazing Mike Pinder song! Great cover Four Tops!

Jane Guest

6y↑2

Love it. 😘

Lynne Forsyth

49w

The Four Tops..the best of the best!

JEFFREY LAWRENCE

2y↑1

Great track and the jumpsuits are straight out of Star Trek the motion picture …🖖

mary ruggiero

7y↑41

there is no song levi stubbs and the tops couldn't make their own. this is a perfect example!!

majorMcpharter

3y↑4

Mike Pinder song. Love and Solidarity.

Colin Baker

5y↑2

This cover of a Moody Blues B side was a top three hit in the UK in 1971.

glenn gill

14y↑2

Thanks for posting this, one of my fav. four tops song

Jacqueline Leighton

5y↑1

Awesome 💝

DP58

6y↑2

Love this, so cool

john taylor

4y↑1

Saw the Four Tops sing this at the Albert Hall in 72,loved it ever since.

Nashvillekat

12y↑6

This debate over the best version is pretty funny. Both groups are on this record! Touring in the UK, the Tops picked a Moodies' 45, "The Story In Your Eyes". They loved the B-side, "A Simple Game." The Tops asked if it would be all right to do a cover of the song. The Moodies not only agreed, they offered to play & sing backup and brought in their producer, Tony Clarke. In England this Motown record went to #3 in 1972. It's on the Four Tops' "The Ultimate Collection" (1994).

Robert Lomas

7y↑2

wow. I haven't heard this for 25 years. goddam awesome

Stephen Zinser

4y↑1

Isn't Music Beautiful?? Here is a great song form the Moodies AND we have one of the greatest Motown groups singing it!! AND what a beautiful rendition!! YES! Life is such a Simple Game!! This keeps us young!! Do do do!!! As Time goes bye! Peace !! Steve
That we are one!! We're all the same!

Gary Bradley

4y↑1

Couldn't have put it any better myself!!!!

Stephen Powell

6y↑3

All time Great by the legendary Soul Brothers The Four Tops ,Cool Baby 👍😎👍❤

Jan K

45w

Awesome.❤

Craig Butterfield

They were so good, so many songs, and I've seen them.

Jim McCarthy

5y↑3

UNBELIEVABLY FANTABULOUS

beverley kirby

3y↑3

levi stubbs....what a voice.

loopy twat

9y↑5

loved this

Nataly Guerrero

exelente cansion

STEVEN HOLLAND

5y↑2

IN MY TOP TEN LOVE IT

majorMcpharter

3y↑1

Mike Pinder wrote some wonderful songs. Moody Blues, the ultimate cosmic philosophers.

Marion Ridsdill

7y↑16

When I saw them sing this at the Wolverhampton Civic when it was all original members the hair stood up on the back of my neck 🎶

KebabMusicLtd

7y↑8

Gets better every time I hear it...

ohnom8

10y↑5

LOVE THIS

Cherry Owen

12y↑1

one of my very fav songs-and ive only just recently heard it 4 the 1st time...fab song/lryics.

Giwrgos Giannarakis

9y↑23

I CANNOT THINK OF ANY BETTER VERSION OF MOODY BLUES ANTHEM....PAST PRESENT OR FUTURE.....

majorMcpharter

3y↑2

Agreed.

Stephen Gamble

38w

My wife and I went to see them in the Uk, in Nottingham. It was either 1988 or 1989. We can both remember them singing " Going Loco" and "Indestructible." Hence the years. I can not find any official record of this concert anywhere. They wore blue shiny suits, and were awesome. Did we imagine it ? Was anyone else there ?

Phil V

Monumental song. Even at the time, they can't have thought that the video was up to it. What would Kanye do???? Noooooo! ☺

Plymouth roadrunner

7y↑6

The Black Moody Blues I love it!

wim homan

5y↑2

I,ve seen the Four Tops live @ Paradiso Amsterdam last Monday,it was a nice gig!

Dave Donkervoort

Heb ik wat gemist?

wim homan

Het was een leuk optreden,ik vond alleen dat er door de bandleden teveel werd gekletst en waarover het ging kon ik niet verstaan...ook om mij heen werd veel gekletst

wim homan

Ik heb een nummer van dat concert op mijn You Tube geplaatst

Dave Donkervoort

@wim homan Ik ga gelijk even kijken. Thanx.

Josef Nagy

7y↑17

Not any band can make a good cover of a Moody song, this one even the Moodies must have liked

David Schecter

5y↑4

Had my doubts they could do it properly, but they did a great job. Will always prefer the original with Mike, but this version is surprisingly good and powerful, and gets across a very different meaning due to the racial component.

Children of Minerva (Official)

4y↑4

The Moodies are playing the backing track on this and Tony Clarke produced it.

majorMcpharter

The Moody Blues, the Ultimate Cosmic Philosophers.

majorMcpharter

3y↑2

@David Schecter That we are one, we're all the same and life is just a simple game.

DP58

6y↑6

Probably their best tack, in my humble opinion. Although they are all great btw

Betsy Kishlansky

Beautiful.

Peter Williams

Takes me back to my teens. Easier time.

Monty Urukalo

1y↑2

What a combination Mike Pinderr and Levi

Patrick Carlin

14y↑3

Stunning.....

DetroitLives313

6y↑2

I miss them a lot!

dave seale

7y↑13

JUST THE BEST

terrythekittie

11y↑4

For me the Moody Blues original is far better, primarily for the backing. The Four Tops could never do wrong and its a great cover..would be interesting to hear a version with the Four Tops vocals isolated and put over the Moody's musical backing.

mickd6942

4y↑1

Outstanding

majorMcpharter

Awesome.

mybabba

3y↑1

I have never seen another member singing solo besides Levi.

Bob Nelson

5y↑1

Sublime

b4

wow this is awesome i just discovered this....

TheSteviemoore

13y

if only life was really a simple game, what a great time we would all have, no hate, no envy, no power crazy nations, no religion, no wars, no hunger, no chance!!!!!!! still a top top tune. if only !

majorMcpharter

Solidarity and Fraternity.

Glenn Reiland

3y↑1

So Ģreat Song!🎁😎🤗☺💯👋

Gwyneth Pound

People need to really sit and listen to this song. The lyrics say it all.

Gary Bradley

Originally by The Moody Blues.

John Cashin

7y↑9

The reason for every problem there is in life, all the politics, the hate, the fear, the violence, the confusion, the....you name it, whatever it is that this life and this world has got, it can be summed up in the lyrics of this song, it really is all just one big game, when you really stop to think about it, life is all one big con and then you're gone.