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.
Tell me why I'm living,
Some days my work seems so in vain
I talk to you you don't hear nothing I said
What's up with this game?
Why am I so forgiving?
Why am I always checking for these fools?
If he ain't here home girls
Why do I play? I'd rather play alone
I can't play the fool anymore, no
No, I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'd rather play alone, I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'm playing the goodbye game
Hit the highway, call you a cab, gimme back my keys
Goodbye too bad that you ain't backing too
I'm gonna smile when I wave, goodbye baby
I can take the long road
Ain't got no trying I ain't putting up fight
Get out the boxing ring this chick has called the night
That way, I'd rather play alone, I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'm playing the goodbye game,
We play the game until we lose it
Before I knew, get ready fire
You are the cheater, every a quitter, I'm still a winner
Would it hurt so bad to say oh
Sing one more time with me,
Oh, oh, oh, I just can't say the way I feel right now
Say oh, oh
One more time, oh
I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'd rather play alone, I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'm playing the goodbye game.
Some days my work seems so in vain
I talk to you you don't hear nothing I said
What's up with this game?
Why am I so forgiving?
Why am I always checking for these fools?
If he ain't here home girls
Why do I play? I'd rather play alone
I can't play the fool anymore, no
No, I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'd rather play alone, I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'm playing the goodbye game
Hit the highway, call you a cab, gimme back my keys
Goodbye too bad that you ain't backing too
I'm gonna smile when I wave, goodbye baby
I can take the long road
Ain't got no trying I ain't putting up fight
Get out the boxing ring this chick has called the night
That way, I'd rather play alone, I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'm playing the goodbye game,
We play the game until we lose it
Before I knew, get ready fire
You are the cheater, every a quitter, I'm still a winner
Would it hurt so bad to say oh
Sing one more time with me,
Oh, oh, oh, I just can't say the way I feel right now
Say oh, oh
One more time, oh
I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'd rather play alone, I can't play the fool anymore
I don't need a game anymore, you could play the fool
I'ma play my hero, you gonna be a zero
I'm playing the goodbye game.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Goodbye Game Lyrics as written by Chrisette Payne Charles Harmon
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.