Feb
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Submitted by webmaster on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 13:12
Posted by kheisler08
March 18, 2008
Video Summary:
Joe South sings "Games People Play" (1968)
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2 comments
Here's an excerpt about this song from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_People_Play_(song)
"Games People Play" is a 1968 song written, composed and performed by singer/song-writer Joe South.
The lyrics and title are thought to be a direct reference to Dr. Eric Berne's masterpiece on transactional analysis of the same name. The book which was released in 1964, deals with the "games" human beings play in interacting with one another"....
The song closely resembles an older song, the traditional Cajun "'Tit Galop Pour Mamou", which was played by the Balfa Brothers among others, and is on the Balfas' Play Traditional Cajun Music. After South's hit got around, Nathan Abshire (accordionist with the Balfas and others), recorded a version in French, with singing by Don Guillory, on his album A Cajun Legend. A new Cajun version, introduced by a partial recounting of the genealogy of the versions, is at [1] under the heading Robert Jardell.
History
In 1968, the song was released on South's debut album Introspect, and as a single'. It was also featured as the title of his second album, Games People Play in 1969, and reached #12 in the US. It won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1970. The distinctive guitar at the opening is played on a Danelectro Guitar Sitar, which South also can be heard playing in the opening bars of the mega-hit Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin. Concurrent with South's version of the song on the pop charts, Freddy Weller, guitarist for Paul Revere and the Raiders, released a country version of the song in 1969 as his debut single on the country charts and reached #2 with it [1]. 'Games People Play' is a protest song. The lyrics protest against various forms of hate, inhumanity and intolerance--both interpersonal and social.
Selected viewer comments from
http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=7k0GUDfqmnU&fromur...
jlc576 (1 year ago) This brought back some old memories. Thanks for the rerun.
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mrob75 (1 year ago) I was just a young kid...This song was in the background of my youth!! Wow, I'd do anything to go back to 1968! Such a different time than now...
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plaine59 (1 year ago) great words
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BillJoyce155 (1 year ago) Tell it like it is my friend...........
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mysticmaverick1 (1 year ago) What a voice, what a songwriter, what a guitarist, what a hunk! Why doesn't he play live performances anymore?
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JaBeanie (1 year ago) Thanks for the blast from the past.
Great song that is as fitting today as back then.
Let's hope a new year with a new president will change that. Remember, we are the ones we have been waiting for.
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EarthMuffinHugs (1 year ago) Great live performance of this awesome song. I love the music from the 60s and 70s with lyrics just as relevant today as they were when written and performed. Thanks for posting this timeless classic by a legend. I hope we are able to hear his message.
10**********
peace and love
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chakram712 (11 months ago) In my opinion this is one of the best songs of all time. Great lyrics. And even though Joe may be known more for his songwriting than his singing, this is my favorite version of this song. He wrote this song and when he sings it you can tell he truly means what he's saying and with a song like this that means alot.
I know many folks love this song, but even so, I don't truly feel it ever got the credit it deserves as beong one of the best songs ever written.
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xtcsept (11 months ago) Joe South is one of a kind! I've been a fan for ages. Few people realize that he wrote songs for dozens of people. He's a great writer, player and singer! And I agree that he and so many of his songs never got the full credit. "Games People Play" is timeless; it has just as much meaning now as it did when he first came out with it. Joe South semi-retired from music and live performances in the mid 70's, largely because of his brother's death. Just imagine if Joe South kept on going with music!!
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estelle715 (11 months ago) Such a strong message for the era..whatever it was!
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POPACHELLI (11 months ago) very underrated. you do not ever hear his music in the pittsburgh pa area.
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TheFAITHOUSE (11 months ago) Joe completely rules! He is completely original and an absolutely brilliant songwriter. He writes as close to perfection as it gets. I don't know where it came from. I'll never forget when i first heard him. It still kicks me in the heart and soul every time. As a songwriter and musician, I stand in awe of his talent. I've never hit this level. Nothing is missing. It is simply amazing. Peace.
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MrGrotbags (11 months ago) It really is one of the all-time classics, and I agree with chakram712 in that I dont think this song gets the credit it really deserves
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rebelstang (10 months ago) That Was a Good Song!
To Bad, They Don't Make Musick,
Like That Any More!
Deo Vindice!
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killjoytjp (10 months ago) This song is still true 40 years later.
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0578 (10 months ago) Not heard this song since it was at No 1 that was 40 years ago.a As soon as I heard it I said that will be No 1, it could'nt fail. Anybody know any hits he wrote for others/
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jamiewestpop (10 months ago) Joe wrote many other classic hit songs eg Hush (Deep Purple) Rose Garden (Lyn Anderson) Down In The Boondocks (Billy Joe Royal), There Are Not My People (Johnny Rivers), Untie Me (Tams) and many others. he had a few other hits himself 'Walk a Mile in My Shoes' (covered by Elvis), Children and 'Don't it Make You Want To Go Home' which is one of the all time greatest songs ever written.
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handinside (9 months ago) Great song from a great singer-songwriter.Was this from the Smothers Brothers TV show?
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689321546 (7 months ago) if you lived thru the 60's and made it thru the war then you;ll know what he's singing about .
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ajay999999 (7 months ago) Always thought it was a black singer.
You tube educates..
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hnorky (7 months ago)
#12 in U.S.A.
#6 in U.K.
#1 in South Africa
One of THE best pop/country/blues/soul/whaever songs ever made.
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plus (7 months ago) FYI, Joe was inspired by a popular 1964 Psychology book entitled "Games People Play" (by Eric Berne). I haven't read the book but I understand it' s about the sort of stuff he's singing about.
That's a switch on making a movie from a book.
Great song.
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tootsiesdad (7 months ago) This is one of my very favorite songs from the 60s. It brings back some of the best memories I have from my high school days. Thanks for posting this exceptional music video and memory maker.
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eagle07 (5 months ago) Songs like this never go out of time.More true today than when it was written.
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bowlermikey (5 months ago) Amen TheIdealist97 Joe South had a couple of the best written songs ever, the other one is walk a mile in my shoes, check it out.
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richardr105 (5 months ago) this song is and was a "classic" if ever there was one....just great lyrics and a great "sound" = big hit
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haddyanne (5 months ago) I remember listeneing to this on "my tranny" at a bus stop and just thinking - yes -this sums the whole thing up!!
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richardr105 (5 months ago) curious anyone know what show this performance aired on?
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djgof58 (4 months ago) Show Hide 0 Marked as spam Reply | Spam I'm not sure of the show this aired on but it sure looks like it was filmed at the "Dating Game" studio, Haha. I love this song and always thought this song and "Walk a mile in my shoes"was sung by a black man until now, How bout you?
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rbrown1205 (3 months ago) I think that it was The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. I remember seeing him sing it there. But he might have also sung it on Rowan and Martin.
House MD just featured it on tonight's episode 11/23/09 Ignorance is Bliss, it was redone by James Taylor.
He also sung Walk a Mile in My Shoes. Great, straightforward songs!!
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slant40 (3 months ago) Saw this on another TV show in early 69- might have been Ed Sullivan - Joe was playing along on his Coral electric sitar (not this gtr) - this 45 has a killer B on it called "Mirror Of Your Mind" - every bit as good as this classic tune.
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antje48 (3 months ago) I saw Joe South on German TV. This may have been the performance, judging by the outrageous background design.
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mthivier (2 months ago) Awesome song...he also wrote "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden", which was ultimately a mega-hit for Lynn Anderson a few years later.
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tootsiesdad (2 months ago) IMO this is one of the very best songs from 1968. Brings back some very good memories from my jr year in high school. Central Braves 70
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Super99max99 (2 months ago) Brings back my school days.Big hello to anyone I knew back then.best years of your short existence for most of us.
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jamiegtr2007 (1 month ago) I remember playing this on guitar when i was a young boy boy back in the late 60's. I never ralised that Joe was using an open tuning!!
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hankedful (1 week ago) Always loved this song, great tune, where is Joe South now?
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88888Rob (4 days ago) info on wikipedia--he wrote "Hush"-Deep Purple !