Originally a home recorded solo project for Reynolds to explore her folk songwriting on acoustic guitar, Kississippi cut its teeth touring on Fest-friendly pop punk, and the project solidified its emo cred supporting third wave genre progenitors Dashboard Confessional. But like her earliest songwriting heroes Cat Power and Liz Phair (who Reynolds describes as “vulnerable and weird girl rock stars, which was something I saw in myself”), Kississippi songs transcend genre, and lend themselves just as well to slick arena-ready production as they do rock instrumentation. After working closely with Philadelphia studio mainstay and mentor Kyle Pulley on 2018 debut Sunset Blush, Reynolds felt encouraged to explore the sonic possibilities in electronic-focused pop, taking inspiration from favorite bands like Beach House, CHVRCHES and Purity Ring. She learned to produce with studio software Reason, delving deep into its “fun synth sounds and weird tools” to develop the lushly-layered demos that would inform 'Mood Ring'.
Play Til You Win
kississippi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a heart full of sin
And I miss what we had
But I don't want it back
'Cause it hurts too bad
And the fight never ends
When you play til you win
Gotta get over it Before it's under my skin
And I don't give up easy, no
Tell me that's a lie if I'm leaving
And you kissed me
'Cause you know that you want me
Acid trip at the birthday party
Endless game of hide and go seek
Are you ever gonna find me?
'Cause you can't catch me crying
In photo booth pictures, we're smiling
And I don't give up easy, no
Tell me that's a lie 'cause i'm leaving
I'm a sad little kid
With a heart full of sin
And I miss what we had
But I don't want it back
'Cause it hurts too bad
And the fight never ends
When you play til you win
Gotta get over it
Before it's under my skin
The lyrics of "Play Til You Win" by Kississippi delve into themes of heartbreak, nostalgia, and the struggle to move on from a past relationship. The singer describes themselves as a "sad little kid" with a "heart full of sin," indicating a sense of innocence tainted by mistakes or regrets. Despite missing the connection they once shared with their partner, they acknowledge that going back to that relationship would only cause more pain. The repetition of "And the fight never ends/When you play til you win" conveys the exhausting cycle of trying to salvage something that ultimately cannot be saved.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's determination to overcome their emotions and let go of the past, even though it feels like a difficult and arduous process. The line "Before it's under my skin" suggests a fear of allowing the pain and memories of the past to consume them completely, underscoring the urgency of moving forward. The defiance in the lyrics, "I don't give up easy, no/Tell me that's a lie if I'm leaving," shows a blend of resilience and vulnerability as they grapple with the decision to walk away from what once was.
The imagery in the second verse paints a vivid picture of moments shared with their partner, from a whimsical acid trip at a birthday party to a nostalgic game of hide and seek. Despite the apparent fun and connection depicted in these memories, there is a poignant question posed: "Are you ever gonna find me?/'Cause you can't catch me crying." This juxtaposition hints at a facade of happiness maintained in the presence of their partner, concealing deeper emotions that go unseen.
The conclusion of the song echoes the initial sentiments of the singer as they reiterate their feelings of loss and the internal struggle to let go. The refrain "Gotta get over it/Before it's under my skin" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-preservation and emotional healing. Through these introspective lyrics, Kississippi captures the complexities of heartache, resilience, and the bittersweet journey of moving on from a past love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a sad little kid
Feeling like a vulnerable and emotionally hurt individual
With a heart full of sin
Carrying guilt and regret in my heart
And I miss what we had
Longing for the past relationship we shared
But I don't want it back
Recognizing that going back would only cause more pain
Cause it hurts too bad
The pain of the past is too much to bear
And the fight never ends
The struggle continues, even when you try to move on
When you play til you win
Trying to overcome obstacles until you succeed
Gotta get over it
Realizing the need to move on and let go
Before it's under my skin
Before the pain becomes a part of me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andy D. Park, Zoe Allaire Reynolds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind