Games Lyrics

Lyric discussion by tkotula 

Cover art for Games lyrics by Hüsker Dü

It's about life itself.

"I could surround myself with my props Playing my part, getting caught up In a game, some game, that anyone can play"

Anyone can get educated, make money, fall in love, buy shit, etc. However:

"I could be proud of things i have done Pretend i don't have to try to be someone I could say that i've done it all before I could get wiser, i could get jaded I could remember, i could just fade away In a game that anyone can play"

The typical life of a person is a construct - all fake. It's based on pretending to be someone you aren't, especially accepting praise and awards you don't really deserve and claiming wisdom you don't really have. And in the end:

"Just when you think that all your answers are so right You'll fade away and disappear from sight The ones who said you're great will find another way"

We're replaceable. There will always be more scientists, engineers, politicians, businesspeople, artists, writers, etc. who are just as lauded as their predecessors if not more so. Thus:

"I could be sad, i could be lonely I could still have some friends if i only Didn't play the games i had to play I was important when i was cool Now it gets lonely playing the fool It's a game that anyone can play"

We all get old, we all die, and few remember us.

Reading back, I realize this sounds very dark, hahaha. I like the high school interpretation a bit more, it fits just as well.

My Interpretation