Playing Games

Album: Over It (2019)
Charted: 24 16
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Playing Games" finds Summer Walker feeling unappreciated by her lover. She confronts her man, telling the dude she's not interested in him buying her extravagant gifts because she's already financially self sufficient. The Atlanta songstress wants her beau to quit "playing games" and give her some attention and love.
  • The sultry ballad's chorus interpolates Destiny's Child's 1999 classic about an underappreciated lover, "Say My Name." Walker uses the bars to let her guy know he'd better publicly acknowledge their relationship.
  • "Playing Games" was released as the lead single from Over It on August 23, 2019. Walker also recorded an extended version of the song featuring an additional verse from Bryson Tiller for the album. The Louisville, Kentucky singer urges Walker to drop her shady lover and let him be her romantic partner.
  • The song was produced by Summer Walker's boyfriend, London on da Track. The Atlanta beatmaker also had a hand in writing "Playing Games" along with the singer and her go-to songwriting collaborators Aubrey Robinson, London Holmes and Roark Bailey.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.