The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Where do we go from here now that all of the children are grown up
And how do we spend our lives if there's no-one to lend us a hand
I don't want to live here no more,
I don't want to stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life,
Quietly fading away
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Aren't right
If I promise you the Moon and the Stars,
Would you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Where do we go from here now that all of the children have grown up
And how do we spend our time knowin' nobody gives us a damn
I don't want to live here no more,
I don't want to stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life,
Quietly fading away
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Just don't make it right
If I'm tellin' you the truth right now,
Do you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Aren't right
If I promise you the Moon and the Stars,
Would you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Just don't make it right
If I'm tellin' you the truth right now,
Do you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
And how do we spend our lives if there's no-one to lend us a hand
I don't want to live here no more,
I don't want to stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life,
Quietly fading away
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Aren't right
If I promise you the Moon and the Stars,
Would you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Where do we go from here now that all of the children have grown up
And how do we spend our time knowin' nobody gives us a damn
I don't want to live here no more,
I don't want to stay
Ain't gonna spend the rest of my life,
Quietly fading away
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Just don't make it right
If I'm tellin' you the truth right now,
Do you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Aren't right
If I promise you the Moon and the Stars,
Would you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Games people play,
You take take it or you leave it
Things that they say,
Just don't make it right
If I'm tellin' you the truth right now,
Do you believe it
Games people play in the middle of the night
Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by RobotechMaster
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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No it's not.