They Just Can't Stop It the
The Spinners Lyrics


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Can't get no rest, don't know how I work all day
When will I learn memories get in the way
I walk around, I can't hear a sound, folks talkin' loud
But I don't see at all
I gotta get away, gotta get away, I don't

(Know where to go, it's hopeless so
I guess I'll leave it alone)

Well I spent all the day fixin' up to go somewhere
Thought I was late, and I found she wasn't there
I guess I'll find love, peace of mind, some other time
But I still have today
I gotta get away, gotta get away, I don't

(Know where to go, it's hopeless so
I guess I'll leave it alone)

Games people play, night or day they're just not matchin'
What they should do, keeps me feelin' blue
Been down too long, right, wrong, I just can't stop it
Spendin' all day thinking just of you

(Twelve forty-five) headed for the subway home
(I took my time) 'cause I felt so all alone
(Not far away) I heard a funny sound, took a look around
And then I (could see her face)
Smilin' as she came, callin' out my name, so I

(Know where to go, we'll take it slow
I guess I'll call it a day)

Games people play, night or day they're just not matchin'
What they should do, keeps me feelin' blue
Been down too long, right, wrong, I just can't stop it
Spendin' all day thinking just of you





Games people play, night or day they're just not matchin'
What they should do, keeps me feelin' blue

Overall Meaning

The Spinners' "Games People Play" is a song that explores the experience of being overwhelmed by life's daily routines and the search for respite. The singer in the song is someone who is bogged down by the monotony of their daily routine, to the point where they struggle to hear the world around them. They feel trapped and hopeless, unable to break free from the cycle of work and monotony. Despite feeling like they need to escape, they don't know where to go or what to do.


The chorus of the song is an anthem for anyone who feels lost or overwhelmed by the expectations of society. The games people play refers to the way people are expected to behave and the societal norms they are expected to follow. It can be interpreted as a criticism of the way people prioritize material possessions over emotional connections, or how they play games with each other instead of being genuine. The song encourages people to break free from these games and to focus on finding their own peace of mind.


In the second verse, the singer recounts a failed attempt at finding comfort in a romantic relationship. They spent all day preparing to see their lover, only to find that they weren't there. Despite the disappointment, the singer recognizes that they still have today and they need to find a way to escape their current situation. The rest of the song echoes this sentiment, encouraging the listener to find a way to break free from their mundane cycles and find joy in their lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Can't get no rest, don't know how I work all day
I am constantly feeling tired and overworked, and I don't know how to manage my day-to-day life.


When will I learn memories get in the way
My memories and emotions are preventing me from moving on and living in the present.


I walk around, I can't hear a sound, folks talkin' loud
Despite the commotion and noise around me, I feel disconnected and isolated from the world.


But I don't see at all
I am blind to the reality of my situation and the opportunities that exist.


I gotta get away, gotta get away, I don't
I need to escape from my current circumstances, but I don't know where to go or what to do.


(Know where to go, it's hopeless so I guess I'll leave it alone)
I have resigned myself to the fact that I am lost and hopeless in this situation, so I will leave it alone.


Well I spent all the day fixin' up to go somewhere
I spent all day preparing to go out and do something, but I didn't end up going.


Thought I was late, and I found she wasn't there
I thought I was running behind schedule to meet someone, but they didn't even show up.


I guess I'll find love, peace of mind, some other time
I hope to someday find love and inner peace, but it won't be today.


But I still have today
Even though my plans fell through, I still have today to make the most of.


Games people play, night or day they're just not matchin'
People are constantly playing games and not living up to their true selves, both day and night.


What they should do, keeps me feelin' blue
I am constantly feeling sad and down because of other people's actions and expectations.


Been down too long, right, wrong, I just can't stop it
I have experienced too much disappointment and hurt, and I can't shake it off.


Spendin' all day thinking just of you
I can't stop thinking about someone or something, and it's consuming my entire day.


(Twelve forty-five) headed for the subway home
I am on my way home via subway, and it's almost 1 in the morning.


(I took my time) 'cause I felt so all alone
I purposely took my time getting home because I feel lonely and want to delay being alone.


(Not far away) I heard a funny sound, took a look around
I heard a strange noise nearby and stopped to investigate.


And then I (could see her face)
I am surprised and happy to see the face of someone I know.


Smilin' as she came, callin' out my name, so I
The person I saw was happy to see me and said my name, so I was also happy to see her.


(Know where to go, we'll take it slow I guess I'll call it a day)
Now that I have found someone to be with, we will take things slow and enjoy our time together, and I will call it a day.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRUCE HAWES, CHARLES B. SIMMONS, JOSEPH BANKS JEFFERSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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