Game We Play
Sarah Tolle
This simple banjo tune evolves into a powerful folk anthem that weaves practical descriptions of life into a rebellious and philosophical stance on our habits and beliefs.
Game We Play
"Game We Play" is my 7th single, released May 20th 2022.
This simple banjo tune evolves into a powerful folk anthem that weaves practical descriptions of life into a rebellious and philosophical stance on our habits and beliefs.
The listener is immersed in relatable imagery and folk instrumentals, but also challenged to question their surroundings through lyrics that playfully rebel against societal pressures, status quo, and the constructs shaping our lives.
I hope you like it!
More About The Song
This song came to me almost all in one piece one summer day in 2021 when I was sitting on the grass, practicing banjo at Sunset Beach in Vancouver.
Writing this song happened in a way that I wish more songs would—almost all of the verses spilled out of my mouth while improvising and practicing chords. I probably wrote the majority of the song in 10 minutes or less. It was fun and easy for me to play, so the rest of the lyrics just filled in naturally as I practiced the song over the next couple of months.
This song made me think of Joni Mitchell’s “The Circle Game”, and some of my fans on social media said it reminded them of Joni when I posted some short clips of the song. I love Joni Mitchell’s songwriting, and I remember the impact I felt as a young girl when I first heard “The Circle Game” sung around a family campfire in the Wisconsin summer. I’m hoping this song will also be a great campfire song that gets interpreted and re-interpreted by many artists!
Game We Play is my go-to song if I’d like to warm up my fingers and voice. It’s easy to remember, full of emotion and fun imagery, and the simple structure makes it enjoyable to play around with.
"Game We Play" Lyrics
Somebody told me to get off the grass
You know what I said
I just looked at them and laughed
Somebody told me to get back in line
You know what I said
I said that I’m doin just fine right here
Just wait a minute
what is this
crazy place we’re living in
I think it is
kinda funny isn’t it
this game we play
Somebody told me I needed new clothes
you know what I said, I said
When did anybody ever need any of those
Somebody told me you’re pretty wild
and you know what I said, nothing
I just nodded and smiled
Just wait a minute
what is this
crazy place we’re living in
I think it is
kinda funny isn’t it
this game we play
When did we make all these silly rules
just to keep us apart
and isn’t that the truth
And when did we draw all these silly squares
just to prove it’s mine and yours
as If the Mother cared
Just wait a minute
what is this
crazy place we’re living in
I think it is
kinda funny isn’t it
this game we play
When was the moment that we decided
that you and I were different enough
to let it divide us
When we the day when we all agreed
that listening was second to speaking
and forgiving to fear
Just wait a minute
what is this
crazy place we’re living in
I think it is
kinda funny isn’t it
this game we play
Woah
Just wait a minute
what is this
crazy place we’re living in
I think it is
kinda funny isn’t it
this game we play