In LA, she made a living working on movie sets and television shows while honing her songwriting skills, performing her original music, and learning life's lessons. While in LA, she caught the attention of high profile publishers and was also nominated for Acoustic Artist of the Year by the National Academy of Songwriters.
She made her way to Nashville and began focusing on her music career and songwriting full time. In Nashville, she found another love, recording. "I had a studio in the basement of the house where I lived so I got comfortable working anytime I felt inspired. I had no pressure to be creative so the muse really flowed. I started assigning all the parts I heard in my head to the different instruments on the tracks. I developed a passion for orchestration, overdubs, and the vast choices of melodies that can work together. Producing gives me more room to be creative on a multi-faceted level."
She was invited to perform at MIDEM, the world's largest independent music festival in Cannes, France. From there, she toured Europe and promoted her self-produced recordings compiled on her first release, "The World's Alright." It was distributed and supported by MD Records, one of Scandinavia's most successful independent labels. "Eye for an Eye" served as a catalyst to generate airplay and build a respectable Scandinavian fan base. Critics from leading newspapers in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway loved the recordings and gave the record outstanding reviews. As a result of the sudden notoriety, she was asked to be a featured artist and perform live on the very popular primetime talk show in Norway, Vera Vera.
Back in the US, she continued to write fervently, this time with more of a pop-rock feel that led her back into the studio to begin recording. She spent the next few years as a writer and producer and had the privilege of co-producing some of her songs with Ben Keith (musician and producer for Neil Young and Jewel's "Pieces of You").
After spending four years focusing on writing and recording, Vaughan has returned to the place that it all began, the stage. It seems to be the most natural and obvious progression for Vaughan to really come into her own and show people what she is truly made of. Vaughan has created her own unique brand of folk-pop-rock music that combines meaningful songwriting with strong, positive messages and a powerfully melodic sound; which is a rare thing these days in music. With strong rhythmic textures, interesting chords and memorable orchestrations her songs scream out "Hit Song" when you hear them, while all at the same time, they pour out pure emotional honesty; both musically and lyrically.
It's a Game
Vaughan Penn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's the trusting kind
Over and over those words ignite
How you're gonna help her make it
How you're gonna change her life
You know everything about her
But it's just to control her
It's just to hold her
[Chorus]
It's a game
That you're playing
She believes every word you say is true
It's a shame
The dues she's paying
You won't stop 'til she gives it all to you
She gives it all to you
It's a game
You only give her all she needs
But it's not what she wants
Still you make her believe
You only tell her what she needs to hear
When you make it sound like love
It's motivated all by fear
You know everything about her
But it's just to control her
It's just to hold her
[Chorus]
You're promising promises going nowhere
She's going nowhere
[Chorus: x2]
The song "It's a Game" by Vaughan Penn is a powerful ballad about a woman who keeps getting involved in toxic relationships with men who promise to change her life but only end up controlling and manipulating her. The lyrics speak of the woman's trusting nature and how easily she falls into the trap of men who make her believe that they are there to help her. However, the truth is that these men are only after controlling her and holding onto her for their benefit. The chorus of the song emphasizes the fact that this is nothing but a game for these men, and the woman is the one paying the price for it. She gives them everything they want, and they won't stop until she is drained of everything she has.
The song's emotional intensity is heightened by the repeated use of the phrase "over and over" in the first verse, which emphasizes the cyclical nature of the woman's experience. The lyrics also point out how the woman is aware of what is happening to her and how she continues to fall into the same trap repeatedly. The line "You know everything about her, but it's just to control her, it's just to hold her" is particularly poignant, as it highlights how the men who promise to help her are just using her vulnerability to hold onto her.
Line by Line Meaning
Over and over she's wasted time on people like you
Repeatedly, she has invested her time in individuals like you, who have not reciprocated her trust and goodwill.
She's the trusting kind
The woman in question is someone who tends to have faith in people and their intentions.
Over and over those words ignite
Repeatedly, your words ignite a spark within her, arousing her interest and curiosity.
How you're gonna help her make it
You ask her how you can assist her in achieving her goals.
How you're gonna change her life
You assure her that you will bring about a significant transformation in her life.
You know everything about her
You possess an in-depth understanding of her character, including her strengths, weaknesses, fears, and aspirations.
But it's just to control her
However, your knowledge is being wielded as a tool for manipulation and domination, rather than for her benefit or empowerment.
It's just to hold her
Your end goal is to keep her in your grasp, rather than allowing her to be free to make her own choices and pursue her own dreams.
It's a game
Your interactions with her are nothing more than a calculated game, where you use her emotions and vulnerabilities to achieve your own objectives.
That you're playing
This game is being played by you, with the clear intention of benefiting yourself, rather than forming a genuine connection or relationship.
She believes every word you say is true
She places a great deal of trust in you and assumes that everything you say is completely honest and truthful.
It's a shame
The entire situation is regrettable, given the level of deception and exploitation that is taking place.
The dues she's paying
She is bearing the costs and consequences of engaging with you in this game, including emotional distress and other negative outcomes.
You won't stop 'til she gives it all to you
You will not cease your manipulative tactics until she has given you everything you want, including her time, energy, and resources.
You only give her all she needs
You provide her with only the essentials required to keep her engaged and interested in you, without truly fulfilling her desires or needs.
But it's not what she wants
Unfortunately, what you are giving her is not aligned with what she truly desires or needs to be fulfilled and happy.
Still you make her believe
Nevertheless, you perpetuate the illusion that you can provide her with what she needs, even though it is not a genuine possibility.
You only tell her what she needs to hear
Your words are carefully curated to portray you in the best possible light and to keep her attention and affection focused on you.
When you make it sound like love
By using romantic and emotional language, you create the impression that your intentions towards her are pure and genuine, when in reality, they are manipulative and self-serving.
It's motivated all by fear
Your desire to engage with her and control her is driven purely by fear, insecurity, and a need for power and control, rather than genuine affection or connection.
You're promising promises going nowhere
Despite making grandiose promises of change and transformation, you have no intention of making good on them or following through.
She's going nowhere
As a result of your manipulative tactics and false promises, she is stuck in a stagnant relationship, going nowhere fast.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind