Music Review: Backstreet Boys "Quit Playing Games..."
Backstreet Boys
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Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)
Album: Backstreet Boys
Year: 1997
Brian Littrell can’t cope with his girlfriend’s manipulations anymore in the pained “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart).”
A pensive guitar opens the single, setting an earnest tone. In the first verse, he says he knows instinctively she’s checked out of the relationship. She’s flirting with other men when she’s not with him. He’s certain there’s something more going on between her and a close male “friend.” He believes they have drifted apart. A year ago, the thought would’ve been dismissed. They were inseperable and she joined for every occasion with his family. He would like her to be straight with him.
In the chorus, he beseeches her to take some time and talk to him about what’s bothering her. Otherwise, it could cause an ugly, bitter end of their relationship. Thinking back to when he first met her, she told him she wasn’t really into commitment. However, she would like to give it a shot. He realizes it was a sign. He tells her that she’s chipping away at their love little by little.
In the second verse, he explains he changes his plans frequently to please her. The money he makes from his job pay for their dinners and outings. He gets her groceries, if she runs out and can’t make it to the store. She often tells him that he’s obsessed with his work and can’t focus on her. He wonders what’s causing her to act spiteful towards him. He would like their relationship to be like it was before: loving, sweet, and peaceful.
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, he says they began as an ideal couple. They communicated their feelings and were careful not to prick at their insecurities. He asks her to stay with him or let him go. He can’t continue to question where he stands with her much longer. He says she’s not treating him well and should start over again, starting with this evening.
A part of the second verse is sung.
The chorus is sung again.
In the final section, the Backstreet Boys “na na na” throughout.
Littrell thought their relationship was promise. For him, her apathy is a surprise. He tries to talk to her about something of substance and she changes the subject to what’s on television. Last year, she would discuss at length her opinions of current events. He knows now her commitment issues didn’t go away like she said. He doesn’t know what caused the sudden change in her and wants to know.
Littrell’s sweetheart, caring vocals are sincere and searching. It’s taken an emotional toll on him. An answer is all he needs. He can’t be someone she uses to get her errands done. Although he won’t admit it, he would like to be free from the hurt and the questions. Nick Carter and AJ McLean also contribute vocals (second verse and the bridge, respectively). However, Littrell stands out for his honesty.There’s a sense he’s been through a situation like similar to the song in the past. He gives the single its heart, wounded as it may be.
The solid arrangement looks for common ground with a quiet force, remaining composed all the while. It reaches the top of Cheese Mountain, preferring to stay there, rather than falling over and stumbling into a pile of rotted clichés.
The sensitive “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” is relatable, well-intentioned pop single.
Album: Backstreet Boys
Year: 1997
Brian Littrell can’t cope with his girlfriend’s manipulations anymore in the pained “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart).”
A pensive guitar opens the single, setting an earnest tone. In the first verse, he says he knows instinctively she’s checked out of the relationship. She’s flirting with other men when she’s not with him. He’s certain there’s something more going on between her and a close male “friend.” He believes they have drifted apart. A year ago, the thought would’ve been dismissed. They were inseperable and she joined for every occasion with his family. He would like her to be straight with him.
“Baby, oh/Even in my heart I see/You're not bein' true to me/Deep within my soul I feel/Nothing's like it used to be/Sometimes I wish I could turn back time/Impossible as it may seem/But I wish I could so bad baby/Quit playin’ games with my heart.”
In the chorus, he beseeches her to take some time and talk to him about what’s bothering her. Otherwise, it could cause an ugly, bitter end of their relationship. Thinking back to when he first met her, she told him she wasn’t really into commitment. However, she would like to give it a shot. He realizes it was a sign. He tells her that she’s chipping away at their love little by little.
“Quit playin' games with my heart (with my heart)/Before you tear us apart (my heart)/Quit playin' games with my heart/I should've known from the start/You know you've gotta stop (from my heart)/You're tearin' us apart (my heart, my heart)/Quit playin' games with my heart.”
In the second verse, he explains he changes his plans frequently to please her. The money he makes from his job pay for their dinners and outings. He gets her groceries, if she runs out and can’t make it to the store. She often tells him that he’s obsessed with his work and can’t focus on her. He wonders what’s causing her to act spiteful towards him. He would like their relationship to be like it was before: loving, sweet, and peaceful.
“I live my life the way/To keep you comin' back to me/Everything I do is for you/So what is it that you can't see/Sometimes I wish I could/Turn back time, impossible as it may seem/But I wish I could so bad, baby/You better quit playin' games with my heart.”
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, he says they began as an ideal couple. They communicated their feelings and were careful not to prick at their insecurities. He asks her to stay with him or let him go. He can’t continue to question where he stands with her much longer. He says she’s not treating him well and should start over again, starting with this evening.
“Quit playin' games/Baby, baby the love that we had was so strong/Don't leave me hangin' here forever/Oh baby, baby this is not alright, let's stop this tonight.”
A part of the second verse is sung.
“Quit playin' games/Na na na na na na/Na na na na na baby/Na na na na na/Sometimes I wish I could/Turn back time, impossible as it may seem/But I wish I could so bad, baby/Quit playin' games with my heart.”
The chorus is sung again.
In the final section, the Backstreet Boys “na na na” throughout.
“Quit playin' games with my heart/Na na na na na na/
Na na na na na baby/Na na na na na/Quit playin' games with my heart/Na na na na na na/Na na na na na baby/Na na na na na.”
Littrell thought their relationship was promise. For him, her apathy is a surprise. He tries to talk to her about something of substance and she changes the subject to what’s on television. Last year, she would discuss at length her opinions of current events. He knows now her commitment issues didn’t go away like she said. He doesn’t know what caused the sudden change in her and wants to know.
Littrell’s sweetheart, caring vocals are sincere and searching. It’s taken an emotional toll on him. An answer is all he needs. He can’t be someone she uses to get her errands done. Although he won’t admit it, he would like to be free from the hurt and the questions. Nick Carter and AJ McLean also contribute vocals (second verse and the bridge, respectively). However, Littrell stands out for his honesty.There’s a sense he’s been through a situation like similar to the song in the past. He gives the single its heart, wounded as it may be.
The solid arrangement looks for common ground with a quiet force, remaining composed all the while. It reaches the top of Cheese Mountain, preferring to stay there, rather than falling over and stumbling into a pile of rotted clichés.
The sensitive “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)” is relatable, well-intentioned pop single.