Games

The Birthday Massacre's song 'Games' delves into the complexities of emotional struggles and the repetitive nature of toxic relationships. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person caught in a cycle of emotional turmoil, where they are constantly trying to mask their true feelings and conform to societal expectations. The opening lines, 'Smile, feign / Fix until all faces look the same,' suggest a facade that people put on to hide their inner fears and insecurities. This theme of hiding true emotions is a recurring motif throughout the song.

The chorus, 'I want the stars in your eyes / I'll take the stars from your eyes,' symbolizes a desire for something pure and beautiful, yet there's an underlying sense of taking or consuming that beauty, which hints at a parasitic or destructive relationship. The lyrics 'Devils look like angels as they catch my eye' further emphasize the deceptive nature of such relationships, where what seems appealing at first glance can turn out to be harmful.

The song also touches on feelings of guilt and shame, as seen in the lines 'Guilt, shame / Sleep until the sunlight fades away.' This suggests a sense of regret and the desire to escape from reality. The repetition of 'Why? / Why do I try?' reflects the confusion and frustration of being stuck in a never-ending loop of emotional pain. The closing lines, 'Trace the lines / Anaesthetise / In the night, another scar is left behind,' encapsulate the ongoing struggle and the scars, both emotional and perhaps physical, that are left behind from these toxic interactions.

'Games' by The Birthday Massacre is a haunting exploration of the cyclical nature of emotional pain and the masks people wear to hide their true selves. It speaks to the universal experience of trying to navigate complex relationships and the toll they can take on one's mental and emotional well-being.