Game Of Pricks Lyrics
Hide in the back of me
I've cheated so long I wonder
How you keep track of me
You can only be free
And I never asked for the truth
But you owe that to me
With knives in the back of me
Can't call you or on you no more
When they're attacking me
Weep to water the trees
And when you come calling me down
I'll put on my disease
You can only be free
And I never asked for the truth
But you owe that to me
Among the best rock songs of the '90s - undeniably.
Because 97 percent of popular music is about interpersonal relationships we tend to think that the narrator here is talking to his estranged girlfriend, or maybe an old buddy who abandoned him - but I'm not so sure that is the case. It seems that he might be talking to, or about, a component of his own personality - something inside himself. It is as if he is entering into some sort of conflict or crisis feeling that he is missing inner strength, insight, or some sort of self confidence.
This is one of many GBV songs that are more like abstract paintings than coherent stories. I love them, they are one of my favorite bands, and they drive me crazy.
okay - in the hunting accidents book bob says this song is about people who are deceptive. not knowing if what people are telling you is true or a lie. it "pricks away at you." "It had to do with dealing with people who i didnt think were being straight-up with me, and that's . . . that's the game of pricks. turns out i was totally paranoid - its not as bad as i thought it was." and so on. buy the book, man - it is terrific.
one of the best pop songs i've ever heard (the alien lanes version is superior to the slickly produced one, as well)
@countess of persia honestly, their music doesn't really translate as well in a polished setting. there's something about the aura of chaos and spontaneity of the band that just doesn't get captured properly, when they are taken out of their natural environment, to perform in a relatively artificial setting. all their most inspiring work (including this song) was recorded on 4-track tape, and they exceeded the Velvet Underground in their ability to musically harness the indeterministic properties of noise, to achieve sonic textures of breathtaking emotional depth. It's just not the same when you're just getting the "straight notes" without...
@countess of persia honestly, their music doesn't really translate as well in a polished setting. there's something about the aura of chaos and spontaneity of the band that just doesn't get captured properly, when they are taken out of their natural environment, to perform in a relatively artificial setting. all their most inspiring work (including this song) was recorded on 4-track tape, and they exceeded the Velvet Underground in their ability to musically harness the indeterministic properties of noise, to achieve sonic textures of breathtaking emotional depth. It's just not the same when you're just getting the "straight notes" without all that harmonic complexity inherent in their more distorted DIY efforts. I suppose the situation may be "opposite" for listeners whose first introduction to the band came from their handful of more commercially-accessible albums, who may feel let down upon discovering the band's preponderance of lo-fi back-catalogue. Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I consider any appreciation of this band to be a good thing, regardless of specifics. But to those curious fans coming from their more "clean" sound, I would simply say, your discovery of this unique and special artist known as Robert Pollard and band, Guided by Voices, is a rare and priceless gift... don't rush to judgement or dismissal if what you encounter is at first jarring or unexpected. Give their mid-1990's material a chance to sink it, it is worth a little bit of patience, or effort, even, to acquire a taste for one of rock music's most enduring delicacies. What may sound harsh or dissonant at first, you may come to find deeply expressive and disarming. They are artists creating an entire world of sound for you, with their own hands, it was "made with love" as they say. Just... listen... haha really though. Do it. <3
The poetic lyrics here might not have any literal meaning so much as a general cautionary note about pricks who play games. “Knives in the back of me” sounds better when sung than getting ‘back stabbed’.
The song comes just after they started getting some national press, but they likely all still had day jobs. They were getting close to a 100K advance to jump to a larger indie label, but that’s not a huge amount of money split between 5 band members. So there must have been a lot of anxiety about who to trust (old record label, new label, various others trying to court you, day job). Who can you trust and who will either shiv you or not have your back if shit goes badly.
Whether this is more about romantic betrayal (“I’ve cheated so long”), clashing egos in a band, or the snobbery of critics (“When they’re attacking me”), only Bob Pollard might know. Then again he might have been so blitzed he can’t remember… but this song will forever testify on its own behalf.
[Edit: readability]
a good break up song.a committted relationship gone awry.she was never good enough nor was he now she is not the victim anymore he is.all he wanted was the truth and not the hurt that he is enduring.i feel my life has had an affect to this pulsating song.
Of course he says he's cheated so long. I wonder what that means. But despite that I agree with knurd.
I thought the lyrics were "I never asked for the truth, but you'd rather lie to me" just sayin..
[just my opinion]..while it could describe any assortment of "us and them"s that are cheating and lying to each other, i did get the impression it was about being in a band / music industry, etc. the band members, agent, manager, whatever are cheating each other on one hand, the record company is cheating them on the other. it's interesting to me in that...no matter how dishonest you are, you still expect others to be honest with you. human nature to put yourself first. good to have songs that shine a light on that ugliness.
This song is about showing humility and recognizing how our humanity is imperfect. It’s about trusting God and realizing that his plan will get us through the rough patches. When Pollard writes of “entering the game of pricks with knives in the back of me” he’s using the symbolism of crucifixion to make his point that at the end of the day it isn’t our strength of personality that brings us true salvation—it’s the Lord.