About the song
ABBA’s “The Name of the Game” is a testament to the group’s evolving musical style and their ability to seamlessly blend pop, disco, and soul influences. Released in 1977 as the lead single from their fifth studio album, ABBA: The Album, the song marked a significant departure from their earlier, more upbeat hits.
With its intricate harmonies, sophisticated arrangements, and infectious groove, “The Name of the Game” showcased ABBA’s maturity as songwriters and performers. The song’s opening riff, inspired by Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish,” set a playful and energetic tone, while the lead vocals, shared by Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, added depth and emotional resonance.
The lyrics of “The Name of the Game” explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships. The song’s reflective tone and introspective lyrics resonated with audiences, solidifying ABBA’s position as one of the most popular pop acts of the era.
“The Name of the Game” was a commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its catchy melody, memorable chorus, and ABBA’s signature harmonies. The song remains a beloved classic, showcasing the group’s versatility and timeless appeal.
Video
Lyrics
I’ve seen you twice, in a short time
Only a week since we started
It seems to me, for every time
I’m getting more open-hearted
I was an impossible case
No-one ever could reach me
But I think I can see in your face
There’s a lot you can teach me
So I wanna know
What’s the name of the game?
Does it mean anything to you?
What’s the name of the game?
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please, ’cause I have to know
I’m a bashful child, beginning to grow
And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I’m trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know
The name of the game
I have no friends, no-one to see
And I am never invited
Now I am here, talking to you
No wonder I get excited
Your smile, and the sound of your voice
And the way you see through me
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
But it means a lot to me
So I wanna know
What’s the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Does it mean anything to you? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What’s the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please, ’cause I have to know
I’m a bashful child, beginning to grow
And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I’m trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know
Oh, yes, I wanna know
The name of the game (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
What’s the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What’s the name of the game? (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)