The Kooks formed at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, where they were all students. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Luke Pritchard, got bassist Max Rafferty involved in a college project, which formed the base of the band. After getting lead guitarist Hugh Harris and drummer Paul Garred involved, they took their name from the song Kooks on the 1971 David Bowie album Hunky Dory. When they tried to trademark the name, they found that in the late/mid 1990s a Swedish band by the same name released an album in Sweden called Too Much is Not Enough.
The Kooks released a debut EP and played gigs around Brighton, where they were based at the time. They were signed to Virgin Records.
2. Swedish indie rock/alternative band - It consisted of members Henrik Berglund, Leo Dahlin, Michael Lohse and Josef Zackrisson, and was active between 1998 and the early 2000's. Micke Lohse and Henrik Berglund are currently members of the band Atomic Swing.
Slave To The Game
The Kooks Lyrics
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I'm the first one to go his way
So she as her
From me because she's my honey bee
And know one knows I've been here before
In this room, the very same dance floor
Oh I've walked this floor
Yeah it gets so hard if I change
All those things that I do same as before
Different now it's a chore
Don't play a game you'll see that
You'll leave me wanting more oh oh oh
Same as before different now it's a chore
Well play a game you'll see
You'll leave me wanting more oh oh oh
Slave to the game of this insecurity
A game that's always out to get me
So be here when I get home
Oh to me it's always been the same
You've been a naughty girl going out again
Oh in the dark again
But it gets so hard for me to change you
Yeah it gets so hard if I change
All those things that I do
Same as before different now it's a chore
Don't play a game you'll see
You'll leave me wanting more oh oh oh
Same as before different now it's a chore
Play a game you'll see that
You'll leave me wanting more oh oh oh
In "Slave to the Game" by The Kooks, the lyrics reflect a sense of vulnerability and insecurity within a romantic relationship. The singer describes himself as being enslaved to the game of insecurity, suggesting that he is constantly caught up in feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty. He acknowledges his tendency to be the first one to go his own way, which perhaps indicates that he often takes risks and follows his own path rather than following societal norms or expectations.
The singer refers to someone as his "honey bee" and mentions how she distances herself from him, possibly due to his insecurities. He also implies that he has been in similar situations before, describing a shared room and dance floor, hinting at a cycle or pattern in his relationships. The repetition of the line "And it gets so hard for me to change you" suggests a struggle to overcome these insecurities and adapt to the needs and expectations of his partner.
The lyrics emphasize the difficulty of changing oneself and breaking free from this game of insecurity. The singer expressively pleads for his partner not to play this game, as it only leaves him wanting more but ultimately feeling unfulfilled. There is a certain sense of desperation and frustration in his voice, as he realizes that despite his efforts, he seems to be stuck in this exhausting cycle of insecurity.
Overall, "Slave to the Game" delves into the emotional challenges and struggles of maintaining a relationship while grappling with insecurities and self-doubt. It highlights the constant battle faced by the singer in trying to change and adapt, but also acknowledges the potential futility of these efforts.
Line by Line Meaning
Slave to the game of insecurity
I am trapped in the cycle of feeling insecure and it controls my actions and thoughts.
I'm the first one to go his way
I often take the lead in pursuing my own desires and aspirations.
So she as her
She perceives me as her own.
From me because she's my honey bee
She distances herself from me because she views me as her beloved.
And know one knows I've been here before
No one is aware that I have experienced this situation in the past.
In this room, the very same dance floor
Within this familiar space, we repeat the same patterns and interactions.
Oh I've walked this floor
I have traversed this floor, symbolizing my history and familiarity with this environment.
And it gets so hard for me to change you
It becomes challenging for me to transform our relationship or alter your behavior.
Yeah it gets so hard if I change
The process of changing myself becomes difficult.
All those things that I do same as before
I find myself repeating the same actions and behaviors as in the past.
Different now it's a chore
Although the situation has changed, it feels burdensome and tiresome.
Don't play a game you'll see that
I advise against engaging in manipulative tactics because it will only leave me longing for more.
You'll leave me wanting more oh oh oh
Engaging in mind games will create a desire for a deeper connection or validation.
Slave to the game of this insecurity
I am constantly controlled by this vicious cycle of insecurity.
A game that's always out to get me
This game of insecurity is always seeking to harm or undermine me.
So be here when I get home
I expect you to be present and available when I return home.
Oh to me it's always been the same
From my perspective, the situation has remained unchanged.
You've been a naughty girl going out again
You have been acting in a rebellious or disobedient manner by going out without my knowledge.
Oh in the dark again
Once again, I find myself in a state of uncertainty or lack of knowledge.
Play a game you'll see that
If you choose to manipulate or deceive, you will come to understand the consequences it will have.
You'll leave me wanting more oh oh oh
Your actions will leave me yearning for a deeper emotional connection or validation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Hugh Harris, Max Rafferty, Paul Garred
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind