[Intro:]
Start playin'
We gon' talk about these playas
We gon' also talk about this game
Heh, this game
Is somethin' everybody wants to know about
But who's the victim?
Is it the playa?
The one bein' played?
Or simply this game?

Early in the morning, he waits by her door
But she's not there, 'cause she don't care
Someone else she adores
And it's a quarter after midnight
The girl's by her phone
But he won't call, and the tears fall
So she sleeps all alone

(We're in a world, that's a ball of confusion)
The feeling is gone, still we keep holding on
(To a love, that is just an illusion)
Get to the back of the line
Love will call you in time

[1:]
On the kaleidascope of love
People go 'round and 'round in circles
Falling in love and feeling pain
But it's the playa, not the game

See the parade of smiling faces
No masquerade can fade the shame
Too many tracks to hide the traces
But it's the playa, not the game

It's not the game

I keep all my feelings in a dark and deep place
Never go there, 'cause it's so rare true love shows it's face
I stare out my window, when I can't sleep at night
Many voices, many choices, but I know when it's right

(We're in a world, that's a ball of confusion)
The feeling is wrong, still we keep holding on
(To a love, that is just an illusion)
Fall to the back of the line
Love will call you in time

[1]

Blame it on the playa (don't fall too fast)
Not the game
Blame it on the playa (don't fall too fast)
Not the game
Blame it on the playa (don't fall too fast)
Not the game
Blame it on the playa (I know it's hard, don't fall apart)
Not the game

Oh, oh, oh

[1: w/ ad-libs to fade]