The W's were a Christian ska/swing band, formed in Corvallis, Oregon in 199… Read Full Bio ↴The W's were a Christian ska/swing band, formed in Corvallis, Oregon in 1997. Within a year, they had signed with Five Minute Walk. Success came quickly as they toured with bands such as dc Talk on their "Supernatural" tour. Within a year they had produced their first album, Fourth From the Last. The immediate success of this album put it at #4 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. Their song "The Devil Is Bad" became their greatest hit.

The bands other hit song, "The Rumor Weed Song" was made for the children’s video series VeggieTales (episode: "Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed"). It was included as a hidden track on their second album Trouble With X.

This band's downfall came as quickly as its success had. Their final release, Trouble With X, came at the end of the Swing Revival movement. Swing music was losing its mass appeal, and The W's were caught in the mass exodus from the genre.

A third album had been planned but was never released. However, one song "Somewhere Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea" was released on the compilation Take Time To Listen volume 5.0 by Five Minute Walk. The song shows that the band was changing its sound toward rockabilly, but retaining the horn section.

Members:
Andrew Schar - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Brian Morris - Drums, Cover Art Talent
Valentine Hellman - Tenor Sax, Clarinet
Bret Barker - Trumpet
Todd Gunter - Bass
James Carter - Alto Sax, background vocals

Play the Game
The W's Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Shoot the gun off, let the trance set in, you're at it again
You let the fancy flashing colors suck you in
Got to get 'em, before they get to you, or else you're through
Skip to the three, bypass two, easy to do

Wo, oh, oh, that things got to go.
Wo, oh, oh, shut 'em down, take out the main control

Play the game (Play the game, play, play the game)
Play the game (Play the game, play, play the game)
Play the game (Play the game, play, play the game)
Play the game

Move your fingers, show 'em what you got and what you're not
You got to move that dumb dog before you go get yourself caught
Shoot the gun off (bang, bang)
Shoot the gun off (bang, bang)
You gotta get yourself up before all is lost

Wo, oh, oh, that things got to go.
Wo, oh, oh, shut 'em down, take out the main control

Play the game (Play the game, play, play the game)
Play the game (Play the game, play, play the game)

Play the game (Play the game, play, play the game)
Play the game

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The W's's song "Play The Game" explore the addictive nature of video games and virtual reality, warning listeners against getting too caught up in the flashy colors and excitement they provide. The opening lines describe the way players can become entranced by the game, letting the colors and sounds consume them. The lyrics urge players to keep fighting and to stay ahead of the game, warning that failure to do so can lead to losing the game entirely. The chorus, with its repeated call to "play the game," reinforces the idea that the game is all-consuming, taking over the player's life and becoming a sort of alternate reality that they are unable to escape.

The verses emphasize the physical act of playing the video game, calling on listeners to move their fingers and show off their skills. The use of onomatopoeia with the "bang, bang" of shooting the virtual gun emphasizes the visceral experience of playing the game. There is a sense of desperation in the lyrics, as if the player's life depends on winning the game - "you gotta get yourself up before all is lost."

Overall, "Play The Game" serves as a cautionary tale about the potentially addictive nature of video games and encourages listeners to maintain control over their virtual experiences before they take over their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Shoot the gun off, let the trance set in, you're at it again
Give in to the addictive nature of the game, let your mind be consumed and start playing once more

You let the fancy flashing colors suck you in
The visuals of the game are designed to be eye-catching and enticing, drawing the player in

Got to get 'em, before they get to you, or else you're through
To succeed in the game, one must act quickly and strategically to prevent being defeated

Skip to the three, bypass two, easy to do
Take shortcuts to progress through the levels of the game more easily

Wo, oh, oh, that things got to go.
That which is holding you back or distracting you from the game must be eliminated

Wo, oh, oh, shut 'em down, take out the main control
Take control of the game and eliminate any obstacles that stand in the way of victory

Move your fingers, show 'em what you got and what you're not
Use your skills and abilities to prove yourself in the game and show others what you are capable of

You got to move that dumb dog before you go get yourself caught
Avoid being hindered by distractions or setbacks in the game, or risk losing progress

Shoot the gun off (bang, bang)
Use whatever means necessary to progress and succeed in the game

You gotta get yourself up before all is lost
Act quickly to recover from any setbacks or losses before they have lasting consequences

Play the game (Play the game, play, play the game)
The repeated chorus emphasizes the importance and addictiveness of the game

Contributed by Noah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS